FPHL 
OFFICIAL SITE OF THE
FEDERAL PROSPECTS HOCKEY LEAGUE
SINGLE A MINOR PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY
CRAWFORD, PINCUS, BAETENS & MESSIMORE RECIPIENTS OF 2024-25 WAYNE BONNEY TOP CREW AWARD
The Federal Prospects Hockey League has announced Referee’s Justin Crawford and Brian Pincus along with Linesmen Brandon Baetens and Jason Messimore have been named the recipients of the 2024-25 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 showed great consistency and professionalism throughout the year. There are so many guys deserving of this but we can only recognize the few. I can’t say enough about our guys. And once again, the playoff officials really stepped up. The league set the standard of play with the staff, relayed it to all the teams and the play was outstanding. The guys went out and made sure the players decided the outcomes. You can’t ask for more during postseason play. They help raise the bar higher every year. Jene further added, “Officiating is one of the most unappreciated jobs at any level of sports. Myself and the league really appreciates everything all our guys do and endure throughout the season. And they are all here because they love the game. Officials like this are really helping us to change the culture and perception of the league."
All four officials gave statements upon receiving the news.
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Justin Crawford - Referee
Crawford stated, "It's an honor to receive this award. I would like to thank all of my officiating partners, supervisors, and off-ice officials as well as the players, coaches, trainers, equipment managers, and especially the team captains for all of their help making this season possible."
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Brian Pincus - Referee
Pincus stated, “I’m humbled to receive the Wayne Bonney Top Crew Award and want to express my gratitude to Wayne for his illustrious career and the legacy of perseverance he’s left for all of us in the officiating community. The FPHL season was a great one filled with memorable moments, and I’m thankful to Paul and all the officials I had the pleasure of working with. Excited to carry this momentum into next year"
Brian also currently is an official for the AHL, ECHL, NCAA DI, DIII & Junior Hockey.
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Brandon Baetens - Linesman
Beatens stated, "I am incredibly honored to receive this award after a long and challenging season. Big thanks to the FPHL and the officiating staff — seriously, I couldn’t have done it without you guys. This award means a lot to me, and it’s something I’ll hold onto forever. And most of all, I want to thank my family. Your love and support over the years has meant everything. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Thanks again, everyone!"
Brandon has also worked in the Central Hockey League, USHL & a vast majority of USA Junior Hockey.
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Jason Messimore - Linesman
Messimore stated, "I am truly honored to be selected for the FPHL’s Wayne Bonney Top Crew Award. This recognition means a great deal to me, not just as an individual, but as part of an officiating team that works hard every night to uphold the integrity of the game. The crew you work with can make all the difference, and I’ve been fortunate to share the ice with officials who are committed, professional, and passionate about the game. This award reflects that shared effort. I’m proud to be part of a league that holds itself to a high standard, and grateful to receive an award that carries the name of Wayne Bonney—someone who set the bar for excellence at the highest levels in our profession."
His past experience includes working in the SPHL.
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The FPHL congratulates the outstanding on ice work, effort, and ethics of these officials as well as all the hard work the entire on ice officiating staff put into this past season.
The FPHL is a Single A Minor Professional hockey league and will be entering its 16th season in the fall of 2025.