FPHL ANNOUNCES COMMISSIONERS CUP FINALS OFFICIALS

Binghamton, NY - The Federal Prospects Hockey League has announced the following four referees and two linesmen who have been selected to work the 2024-25 FPHL Commissioners Cup Finals. The officiating selections were  based on merit and overall consistency of their performance over the course of the 2024-25 FPHL Regular & Post Season play.

Referees – Jon Sitarski, Brian Pincus, Ron Johnson & Justin Crawford 

Linesmen – Andrew Wilkalis & Brian Thurnauer

As was the case throughout the 2024-25 FPHL Regular Season, all games during the Commissioners Cup Finals will utilize two-referees &  two-linesman (4-man system).

The FPHL is proud to showcase its officiating staff and quite a number of the officials in the FPHL have come from much higher levels of hockey. Some of this season’s selected officials for the Commissioners Cup Finals have worked higher levels such as the AHL &  ECHL in both current and past seasons. 

Overview of Finals Referees

John Sitarski has been on staff in the AHL as well as the Big10 (NCAA D1) for the past 8 seasons.  He has quite the post season resume working Finals in the USHL & SPHL in 2016, Asia League Finals in 2015 & 2016, ECHL Conference Finals in 2017 & 2018.  He has also worked Big10 Playoffs the past 5 seasons as well as the NCAA Regional in 2023 & 2024.  This is Sitarski’s 2nd FPHL Finals.

Brian Pincus has been on staff in the AHL the past 9 seasons.  He’s worked the Atlantic (NCAA D1) conference playoffs in 2017 & 2018.  This is Pincus 1st FPHL Finals.

Justin Crawford has worked in the NCAA D1 in various conferences since 2016 and has worked their playoffs in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2022.  This is Crawfords 1st FPHL Finals.

Ron Johnson Has been a Referee in the ACHA D1 since 2010 & with the FPHL since 2019.  This is Johnsons 1st FPHL Finals.

Overview of Finals Linesmen

Bryan Thurnauer has worked the FPHL since 2018 as well as Atlantic Hockey America since 2024.  This is Thurnauer’s 2nd FPHL Finals.

Andrew Wilkalis  has worked the FPHL since 2022.  This is Wilkalis’s 2nd FPHL Finals.

FPHL COMMISSIONERS CUP FINALS (Best of Five)

Binghamton Black Bears vs. Carolina Thunderbirds

Game 1 – Friday, May 2nd at 7:35 p.m. ET at Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena - Winston-Salem, NC

Game 2 – Saturday, May 3rd at 6:05 p.m. ET at Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena - Winston-Salem, NC

Game 3 – Friday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. ET at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena - Binghamton, NY

*Game 4 – Saturday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. ET at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena - Binghamton, NY

*Game 5 – Sunday, May 11th at 6:00 p.m. ET at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena - Binghamton, NY

* – If Necessary

The FPHL is a Single A Minor Professional hockey league operating in its 15th season during 2024-25.