MONROE, N.J. – During the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association Annual Awards Dinner, AYHL Referee-in-Chief Eric Sailor was presented the New Leader Award. The honor is bestowed upon an individual under the age of 45 who has had a positive impact on growing the game within the affiliate.
Sailor has a long history in the Atlantic Affiliate, having played at Hollydell Ice Arena since he was a child. He went on to an illustrious officiating career that has included participation in USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program and working games in the AYHL’s sister league – Metropolitan Junior Hockey League.
Since 2024, he has been working alongside league leaders to reinvigorate the officiating program amidst challenging times. Recruitment and retention of officials remains difficult, but Sailor has worked to launch new initiatives that provide an advancement ladder for officials, helping bring in aspiring, young referees.
Sailor was celebrated alongside other hockey leaders, including the Gaudreau Family who received the Ed Snider Award.
