FPHL 
OFFICIAL SITE OF THE
FEDERAL PROSPECTS HOCKEY LEAGUE
SINGLE A MINOR PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY
Crawford, Baker, Kovalsky and Verderese Earn 2025–26 Wayne Bonney Top Crew Honors
The Federal Prospects Hockey League has announced Referee’s Justin Crawford and Justin Baker along with Linesmen Justin Kovalsky and Anthony Verderese have been named the recipients of the 2025-26 Wayne Bonney Top Crew Award.
This award honors 4 selected on-ice officials (2 Referee’s & 2 Linesmen). It is in Honor of Wayne Boney, a retired National Hockey League Linesman. His NHL career started in 1979 after a brilliant career with the WHA, and ended in 2004. During his career (in which he wore a helmet from the mid-1980s until his retirement), he officiated 2,470 regular season games (both WHA and NHL), 134 playoff games, five Stanley Cup finals, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, and one All-Star game. From the 1994-95 NHL season until his retirement, he wore uniform number 94. He also became the first NHL official to wear a visor.
FPHL Director of Officiating Paul Jene stated,
This group of officials demonstrated exceptional dedication, consistency, and professionalism throughout the entire season. Despite facing adversity and working in an environment where officials are often viewed as the villains on the ice, they remained committed to their responsibilities and upheld the highest standards of professionalism. My hat is off to these guys, as well as the many others on our staff for all their hard work, dedication, perseverance, and resilience.
Jene further added,
Officiating is far from a perfect profession. It is a difficult and demanding job that rarely receives the public recognition it deserves. However, these gentlemen have certainly earned that recognition through their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. I am extremely proud of their performance and of what we continue to build within the FPHL. Congratulations to these officials on a tremendous accomplishment.
What makes this achievement even more special is that this is the first officiating crew the league's history to work together as a unit from the beginning of the postseason all the way through to the final games of the Commissioner's Cup Finals.
All four officials gave statements upon receiving the news.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Justin Crawford - Referee
Crawford stated, "I'm honored to receive this award. I couldn't have done it without this amazing crew we had this year throughout the playoffs as well as all of my partners during the regular season. Special thanks goes out to all of the staff both on the officiating side such as the supervisors and off-ice officials as well as the team side represented by the players, coaches, equipment managers, and trainers. Their support every game was key to our success this year."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Justin Baker - Referee
Baker stated, "It is an honor to receive this award. I would to thank Paul Jene, Dave Jackson and the rest of the supervising crew for all of their help this year. I'd like to thank my family-- your love and support over the years has meant everything. Lastly, I'd like to congratulate the other three officials who are receiving this award as we had the unique opportunity to work every game of our playoff run together this year. The crew that you work with can make a big difference and this award is a reflection of that shared effort. Thank you again, see you next season!"
Justin is also currently an official in the NCAA working both mens and womens hockey.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Justin Kovalsky - Linesman
Kovalsky stated, “I’m honored to receive the Wayne Bonney Top Crew Award. This season has been filled with some great memories and ones that will last a lifetime. I am thankful to Paul and all of my fellow officials that I have worked with other the years to get me to where I am today. I would also like to thank my family for all the support and encouragement that has meant the world to me.”
Justin is also currently an official in the NCAA DI & DIII and Major Junior Hockey.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anthony Verderese - Linesman
Verderese stated, "Receiving this award in my rookie season is a tremendous honor. It motivates me to keep improving, serving the game, and representing the league with professionalism and integrity. I would like to sincerely thank Paul Jene for giving me the opportunity to join the league and for believing in me from the start. I'm also grateful to my mentors and fellow officials whose guidance, support, and encouragement have helped me grow throughout this season. This recognition is not only a reflection of my efforts, but also of the people who have invested their time and knowledge in helping me succeed. Thank you all for making my first season such a rewarding experience."
Anthony is also currently an official in the NCAA DI & DIII and Junior Hockey.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Federal Prospects Hockey League extends its sincere congratulations to its on-ice officials for their outstanding performance, dedication, and professionalism throughout the season. Their strong work ethic and commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game continue to be a vital part of the league’s success.
As the league looks ahead, it also recognizes and appreciates the hard work of the entire on-ice officiating staff, whose efforts have helped uphold a high standard of competition and sportsmanship across all games.
The FPHL, a Single-A minor professional hockey league, will enter its 17th season in the fall of 2026.