Ben Cleeton

Photographer / Visual Storyteller

www.bencleeton.com

NHL Referee Combine

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Clients: The New York Times The Washington Post

School: Syracuse University

The N.H.L. referee Michael Mark... Cleeton for The New York Times

The N.H.L. referee Michael Markovic, center, gave feedback after a scrimmage at a combine for aspiring officials in August.

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times

Mitch Theoret, left, and Riley ... Cleeton for The New York Times

Mitch Theoret, left, and Riley Yerkovich were among the 86 participants at the officials combine.

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times

Combine participants played a t... Cleeton for The New York Times

Combine participants played a tournament of scrimmages in which they took turns officiating.

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times

Drills on the ice included test... Cleeton for The New York Times

Drills on the ice included testing speed and form skating backward.

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times

Marc-Olivier Phaneuf stretched ... Cleeton for The New York Times

Marc-Olivier Phaneuf stretched outside the locker room.

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times

Participants divided their time... Cleeton for The New York Times

Participants divided their time between the ice and the nearby gym, where high-performance fitness instructors observed them.

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times

The N.H.L.’s head of ... Cleeton for The New York Times

The N.H.L.’s head of officiating said, “Whether you’re a linesman or a referee, you need to be an athlete.”

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times

Part training camp, part clinic... Cleeton for The New York Times

Part training camp, part clinic, the combine is a job fair for some. Since 2014, the N.H.L. has hired 27 officials who auditioned at the event.

Credit: Benjamin Cleeton for The New York Times