Hockey: Crystal Lake South grad Gustafson to receive Allison award
Shane Gustafson carries the legacy of former Crystal Lake South hockey teammate and referee pal/motivator Ben Allison on the ice for every game he officiates.
In January, 2015, Allison was hit by an impaired driver while walking across campus at Illinois State University where he was a student. He died days later.
Gustafson, 20, has continued his high-level officiating career and is a junior at Northern Illinois University, working toward a degree in sociology with a minor in child and family studies. This fall is Gustafson's ninth season as a referee, his first full-time in the Officiating Development Program, run by USA Hockey. Gustafson will be working games in the NA3, NAIL, and USHL.
And he honors Allison every game.
Gustafson has a small sticker on the back of his black CCM helmet with the initials BA - for Ben Allison. Gustafson also on the inside padding of his helmet has written Allison's jersey number (36) from CLS, as well as "Ben Big," and there is a similar sticker that simply says, "BEN." Gustafson also tapes two fingers on his left hand during games as that's where his whistle is - and he writes BA on the tape.
"Ben is the one who introduced me to the Officiating Development Program. Ben told me what to do in order to advance my career and I listened to every word. I would not be where I am in officiating had it not been for Ben's guidance," Gustafson said. "Getting to play hockey with Ben and also getting to officiate with Ben was so awesome. I learned so much from him.
"But above all of that on the ice, what meant the most to me was the friendship that Ben and I shared. Having a friend like Ben in your life just brings so much extra happiness each and every day. Knowing that he is looking down on me proudly, not only as a fellow official, but as a dear friend means the world to me."
Gustafson and Allison are now linked even more. USA Hockey announced on Aug. 11 that Gustafson is the inaugural recipient of the Ben Allison Officiating Award, which was nominated by the ODP captains and voted on by ODP officials who worked a minimum of 15 games in the program last season.
Gustafson was teary-eyed, emotion-filled when he heard he was the award-winner.
"This award means the world to me," he said. "To be selected for an award that represents similar qualities to Ben is truly so humbling and means so much to me."
Gustafson will be presented with the award at the 2016 USA Hockey Officiating Development Training Camp, which starts Aug. 29 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.
The Ben Allison Award is voted on by 150 members of the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and is given to the official that best represents the characteristics that made Ben a special person and official, including always giving 100 percent on the ice, regardless of the level of the game, and representing USA Hockey in the finest manner. The award will be presented on an annual basis.
A plaque will be on display at USA Hockey's national office in Colorado Springs, where Gustafson and all future winners will be recognized.
"(There) couldn't be a more deserving recipient of this award," said Scott Zelkin, ODP manager, and a Long Grove resident. "Shane is an outstanding official with tremendous upside in terms of where his abilities might be able to take him. More importantly, Shane is a great role model for our younger officials. He always works hard, has a great attitude and is humble about his accomplishments. This award is voted on by officials in our program and there is no question that in its first year, they chose the perfect winner."
Erin Blair, the development coordinator for the Illinois Hockey Officials Association (IHOA), added: "The (inaugural) Ben Allison Award could not go to a better recipient. Ben and Shane were close friends and they both exemplify what IHOA and USA Hockey want from all officials. He has worked very hard to achieve his opportunities and he has turned these opportunities into successes. Shane has unlimited potential in the officiating world and I am very excited to see what the future hold for him."
Last season, Gustafson worked about 85 games for the ODP at the ACHA D1, NA3HL, NAIL, and USHL levels, including the NA3HL Silver Cup Championship Game and NAHL playoffs.
He officiated his first game in 2008 at the Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee - a mite-level game. "I remember being very nervous not knowing what to expect as an official," he said of his first officiating assignment.
Flash-forward to today, and Gustafson is a talented lineman, always working to improve his skating and fundamentals.
"Playing at CLS really helped me as an official," Gustafson said. "Being on the ice and skating as much as we did really helped me become a stronger skater. I was also an alternate captain for one season and a captain for another, (so) having those responsibilities helped me become a strong leader and communicate with officials better."
Allison was a goalie at CLS. His family and friends recently got together for dinner to celebrate what would have been Allison's 22nd birthday - Gustafson, of course, was there.
"When we were told that Shane would be the first recipient of the award, I could not have been more happy and proud. Shane is an outstanding young man and to have him receive the very first award just feels right," said Ben's mom, Melissa Allison. "Ben loved playing hockey with Shane, but more than that, Ben loved being able to ref games with him. Ben believed in paying it forward. He was introduced to the ODP by Dan Kremer, and being able to do the same for Shane meant the world to him. The fact that they were friends first made it even more special.
"Ben was all about helping other people succeed, and he was so proud of Shane's accomplishments as an ODP referee. Shane being awarded the first Ben Allison Officiating Award would have made him so incredibly happy. I know Ben's looking down from heaven now with the biggest smile on his face.
"To me, this award means that Ben will never be forgotten by the sport that meant so much to him. For that, I will be eternally grateful."