Chris Washburn was elected treasurer of USA Hockey in June, bringing to the role nearly three decades of accounting expertise and a lifelong passion for the sport. His appointment follows a distinguished career that blends rigorous financial oversight with deep roots in the hockey community.
A native of Old Town, Maine, Washburn grew up just 50 miles from the nearest rink, a distance that kept him from organized play as a child but also forged a deep connection to the game. He later passed his love for hockey to his children and granddaughter, with his son Cameron beginning to skate at age two.
Grassroots Foundations
Washburn’s professional journey began in the New England District’s finance office, and he later served as treasurer and president of the Maine Amateur Hockey Association, leading the organization for six years before returning to the national stage. He described himself as a grassroots leader who started with a small local association in Maine that served just 125 children.
He succeeds Donna Guariglia, who was honored with the Builders Award for steering USA Hockey through the financial turbulence of the COVID‑19 pandemic and for instituting unprecedented levels of fiscal transparency. Under Guariglia’s stewardship, USA Hockey navigated severe budget shortfalls, preserved program funding, and celebrated historic successes, including gold medals across men’s, women’s and sled hockey in 2022.
Washburn emphasized the importance of solid financial information for running USA Hockey’s programs and decision‑making. He noted that the organization reported record participation numbers in 2022 — 586,002 players, 68,792 coaches, 32,710 officials, and over 100,000 female players for the first time — underscoring the need for robust financial oversight to sustain this growth.
While acknowledging a steep learning curve, Washburn expressed excitement about his new role and a commitment to continuing the legacy of transparency that Guariglia established. His vision centers on using rigorous financial management to support the sport’s expanding reach and to ensure that USA Hockey remains a stable, forward‑looking institution.