USA Hockey, the national governing body for the sport, has taken a decisive step toward unifying coaching and officiating education across the United States.
A National Initiative for Coaching and Officiating Excellence
The heart of this effort is the Developer Academy, a structured program that blends the Coach Developer Academy (CDA) and the Officiating Developer Academy (ODA) under a single educational umbrella.
While the original CDA began as a modest gathering of coach developers, it has matured into a national curriculum that now incorporates virtual sessions, allowing participants from every state to engage with a consistent learning experience.
Each summer, the Academy convenes in Columbus, Ohio, where coaches and officials attend two‑to‑three weekend sessions that combine intensive workshops with social activities designed to foster relationships.
These in‑person gatherings are complemented by a more advanced Track 2 track, which draws roughly thirty seasoned developers back each year to deepen their expertise and mentor newer participants.
Feedback from attendees underscores the program’s value; nearly 99 percent of participants report that the training was a worthwhile investment of their time.
Beyond technical instruction, the Academy emphasizes leadership development, encouraging facilitators, mentors and educators to shape the future of hockey education.