Hey Ref

Hey Ref – Referee in chief

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

By Duncan Ryhorchuk

Call us what you want – ref, stripes, zebra, Mr. official (gender non-specific) etc. But when you address Steve Tatro, the title of “Referee in Chief” can also be used. Having this position in Minnesota, and having been a certified official with USA Hockey since 1979, Steve has a wealth of knowledge and experience that greatly helps all USA Hockey officials in Minnesota.

Steve lives in Two Harbors, Minn., and with this very demanding position, he travels extensively throughout the state. He conducts seminars, hearings and evaluations, along with doing guest presentations at the various officials associations all over Minnesota.

Steve also finds time to officiate numerous youth, high school and university games throughout the season. One of the projects he undertook this year was complying the national level four closed book officiating exam.

Steve does have assistance from the various district supervisors of officials. They are: Dennis Alm (District 1); Terry Thorsheim  (2); Jim Gates (3); Scott Kuhl (4); Mike Mooney (5); Dave Kemp (6); Paul Moen (8); Ryan Swafford (9); David Weisjahn (10); Nick Biondich (11); Chris Kavanaugh (12); Howard Breitkreutz (15); and Ron Story (16).

Here are 10 questions that will better inform you on USA Hockey’s Minnesota district Referee in Chief.

Q: When did you start officiating and why did you start? 

Steve Tatro: 1979-80. I saw a need for more quality officials at the youth level.

Q: How did you get this position (ref-in-chief) and how long have you had it? 

ST: The former Referee-in-Chief was retiring and I expressed interest in the position. The affiliate governing Body (Minnesota Hockey) recommended me from candidates interviewed and was appointed by USA Hockey. I have held this position since June of 2005. 

Q: What is the most challenging and most rewarding parts of your position?

ST: The most challenging aspect is to get young officials the opportunities (game assignments) to improve and develop at officiating. The most rewarding is seeing an official achieve his or her officiating goals.  

Q: Where has officiating taken you? 

I have met a lot of great people, at all levels who are intrinsically motivated to make the game better.

Q: What changes have had the most impact on officiating since you started? 

The “New Line of Enforcement/Standard of Play” implemented by USA Hockey in the 2006-07 season encouraged officials to penalize competitive advantages gained by illegal actions. This was just one part in changing the game to promote speed and skill, because not only were officials encouraged, but coaches and administrators were on board as well.

Q: What changes do you foresee in the future? 

I feel the next change we will see is the approval of the four-man officiating system by USA Hockey.

Q: Who are some of the top players (or teams or games) you have had a chance to officiate? 

I have been fortunate to work a lot of State bound teams at the youth and High School level. A few collegiate teams that were nationally prominent. Matt Niskanen was one player that I remember working a lot of games he played in. By the way, he was a registered youth official in his teens.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to be an official? 

Give 100 percent. Other bits of advice to succeed are: be a student of the game, have a passion for the game, support your teammates and leave everything on the rink!

Q: Was there an official when you started that you looked up to?

I didn’t start officiating until I was 25. I was still coaching until about 30 and didn’t look at officiating seriously until then. Most of the officials I knew were peers and I would look to many of them for guidance. Ron Foyt is probably the official I felt impacted my “career” and development the most.

Q: What do refs do after they finish on-ice officiating? 

Most end up relearning to watch the game as a fan rather than an official. The rest evolve into mentoring younger refs, or becoming evaluators or administrators for officials associations.

Hockey officials in Minnesota are fortunate to have access to some very good officials who fill the roles of supervisors, mentors and referee in chief. Steve Tatro is a great asset for USA and Minnesota hockey.

If you have any comments, questions or an officiating subject that you would like expanded on, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .