AHL Hosted Officials Training Camp in Rochester

The league brought 91 officials to the Tim Hortons Iceplex to prepare for the upcoming hockey season.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Hockey

AHL Hosted Officials Training Camp in Rochester

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The American Hockey League held its 6th annual in-person training camp for officials at the Tim Hortons Iceplex in Rochester. The event focused on preparing the officiating crew for the rigors of the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

The camp serves as a critical development pipeline to address officiating deficiencies and refine skills for the NHL. It provides a structured environment to standardize rule application across the league.

A total of 91 officials attended the camp, representing a portion of the 240 total league staff members. This marked the 6th annual iteration of the intensive training program.

The players

American Hockey League

This professional ice hockey league serves as the primary development circuit for the National Hockey League.

NHL

This is the premier professional ice hockey organization in North America which oversees the highest level of competition in the sport.

The details

The sessions included on-ice drills, classroom instruction, and breakout meetings led by the AHL hockey operations department and NHL officiating managers. Attendees received training on new standards, including the offside coaches challenge review set for the 2026-27 season.

September 17-18, 2026: The AHL conducted its annual officials training camp.
2026-27 season: Officials prepared for the requirements of the upcoming hockey year.

Season Trajectory

This training camp represents a proactive effort to standardize officiating consistency across the league before high-stakes games begin. By focusing on the offside coaches challenge review, the league aims to minimize controversy and improve the accuracy of crucial in-game decisions.

The implementation of the new offside coaches challenge review will directly change the pace and outcomes of 2026-27 games for fans and teams alike. Consistency in how officials apply this rule in Rochester will set the precedent for penalty and goal calls throughout the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Standardizing officiating during the pre-season is essential for maintaining the integrity of the game as new rules are introduced. Fans should expect closer scrutiny of zone entries and goal reviews throughout the 2026-27 season.