The Annual Election will be held in person
Monday, May 9
7:00 pm
at the
Candidates and their bios (alphabetical order):
JOHN DUNNE
- Sabre Youth Hockey
- Board of Directors (1997-2007)
- President (2002- 2006)
- Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois
- Board of Directors (2003 – 2019)
- President (2012-2018)
- Executive Director (2019-2022)
- Vice President of Operations (2007-2012)
- Chairman Coaching Education Program (2003-2009)
- Chairman Player Development (2005-2007)
- House League Committee (2002- 2009)
- Tier II Committee (2003- 2012)
- Tier I Committee (2005-2022)
- Showcase Committee (2002-2009)
- Tier II President Council (2002- 2019)
- Officiating Committee (2018-2022)
- Youth Coach (1985-2018)
- IHHOF Committee (2012-2022)
- Illinois Hockey Officials Association
- Board of Directors (2019 – 2022)
- Referee in Chief (2019- 2020)
- On-ice Official (1996- 2022)
- Evaluator (2018-2022)
ANTHONY FIORITO
Fellow Officials,
I am currently running for reelection to the Board. I have been a member of the board since 2019 and have been involved in several of the committees during my time: Nominations, Scholarships, Performance, Education, & Development, Rules & Ethics, and most recently my current role as our Registrar. Although I am fairly new to being our Registrar, this is an opportunity that I am very excited about as we approach our seminar season.
I have been involved in Illinois hockey for as long as I can remember, from playing in both NIHL & Central States leagues to now officiating for the past 11 years. As far as officiating I have had the pleasure of working many levels of hockey from mites to ACHA. All of my greatest memories all involve our great sport. I look forward to giving back to the sport that has given me so much throughout my life.
I am extremely thankful for the nomination and I look forward to the opportunity to continue my work on the Board. I can assure you that my dedication as your registrar will not fade. I currently make myself readily available and will continue to do the same as we approach next season.
I always welcome e-mails/phone calls from all fellow officials and I look forward to continuing my relationships with all of the membership, both professionally & personally.
Thank you again for your consideration,
Anthony Fiorito
IHOA Registrar
847-636-2551
SCOTT GAFFNEY
Hello all,
My name is Scott Gaffney and I have been officiating hockey for 6 seasons, but fell in love with the game when I started skating around the same time I learned to walk. I grew up playing hockey competitively in New England with my two older brothers. There was a 5 year period when I needed to prioritize school over hockey and in that short time off the ice I missed the game more than anything. Once I graduated from college and landed myself a “9 to 5”, I questioned what I could do on the weekends to keep my time occupied and myself in shape.
This is when I decided to attend my first USA Hockey seminar in the Fall of 2015. That season I only officiated a few cross-ice mite games which could leave many refs jaded, but not me. Quickly, my local Connecticut affiliate needed able bodies to cover games. One day a snowstorm hit and I was thrown onto a Tier I U14 game solo. This was when it really hit me that officiating was full of spontaneous opportunities and chances, and I was off for the races. In my second season, I worked my first ever 3-man system game at the Junior level.
Fast forward a few years and a few thousand games, I’m consistently working local college club and Jr. games, as well as the Southern Professional Hockey League where I refereed my first pro game this past season. Last year I was fortunate to represent Illinois at Central Districts and was selected to the national championship game at the USA Hockey High School Nationals. I consider myself lucky once again to be skating the U14 Tier I USA Hockey Nationals in downtown Chicago in April 2022.
Many will notice that while working games, such as those mentioned above, I always leave my ego at the door and will work anything and everything to give back to the game. I believe you’re never too advanced to work a squirt game and never too “good” to not learn from someone who has worked less or lower-level games and may have never had the same types of opportunities to get to the next level.
Therefore, I see myself as a genuine fit to help improve our local governing body and grow among my peers with each game, seminar, and interaction. Our sport will continue to change and I want to be there for every step and make sure our officiating community is heard and respected.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
JEFF PACCOCHA
Born and raised in Elmwood Park, I started my officiating career at the bright age of 12. Never in my life would I have imagined that 18 years later I would be standing here in front of all of you to be considered for the IHOA Board.
All of the youth games supervised by Carl Sassolino, all those years ago, would start the path to be what is now my career as an official. I am proud to be a part of the alumni that came out of IHOA’s ADP who have been selected to go to various camps (Central District, Regional, and National Camp). From there, being a part of USA Hockey’s ODP was where I learned the trade as a linesman and was hired to be a part of the AHL’s staff 3 seasons now.
It is now time in my officiating career to give back to the IHOA community, for all they have done for me, and being a part of the IHOA Board would bring it full circle. Currently, I am volunteering with the seminars and supervising games, working with the younger generation of officials coming up through the ranks, to be a part of this amazing community and all it has to offer.
Thank you for your consideration.
TODD PERMUT
Dear IHOA officials,
This is my 17th year as a member of IHOA. As is common with many, I grew up playing ice hockey at an early age, but only transitioned into refereeing in later years. As I discovered this new aspect of the greatest sport on earth, refereeing excited and intrigued me. Over the years, I’ve endeavored to learn and develop my skills by working with others, gaining experience, and involving myself with the organization and with the programs that IHOA offers. I have participated in the Advanced Development Program, worked on the Performance Education and Development and Rules & Ethics committees, and mentored new referees, many of whom are on the ice today. Having involved myself with IHOA at many levels, I feel able to represent everyone from the youngest to the oldest.
As a board member, I will work to maintain the health and integrity of the organization and, in so doing, ensure IHOA’s long-standing history of professionalism in officiating.
Thank you,
Todd Permut
DAN ZALOUDEK
My name is Dan Zaloudek, and I am running for the IHOA Board of Directors. I grew up playing hockey in the Chicago area from mites through high school. For several years I was a coach for a club bantam team and JV. I stepped away from the game to start a family, then returned as an official in 2015.
Since I began wearing the stripes, I have worked games from cross-ice mites to midget AAA. I love getting on the ice and working games, regardless of the age group or skill level, and have especially enjoyed getting to know my fellow officials. I have worked hard to give back to the game. I completed the ADP program to improve my skills, and I have worked as both a mentor and an evaluator.
I am humbled to have been nominated for the Board. If elected to serve, I will apply the same passion and dedication to my responsibilities there as I do on the ice. I will work to improve the state of officiating and hockey to the best of my ability.
