• Pat "Duffy" Dyer - 2022

Pat “Duffy” Dyer was born in Virginia, Minn., and played youth hockey in that Iron Range community.  After high school, he graduated from UW-Superior with a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and would go on to a long career at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

Dyer’s officiating career led him to officiating in the Superior-Duluth area, and eventually to a position as the Referee-in-Chief for the Superior Amateur Hockey Association.  The growth of hockey in Wisconsin would be paralleled by the growth and success of the Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association.   Dyer would quickly become the Referee-in-Chief for the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association. 

In his 40 years of officiating, Dyer would not only actively participate as a referee, but would be heavily involved in the development and education of officiating programs and camps at the local, state and national levels.  From early efforts at using the old-fashioned VCR as an educational tool, Dyer would develop programs utilizing technology that would lead to virtual referee seminars as WAHA and WHOA navigated the Covid-19 pandemic.  His efforts have been recognized and appreciated at the USA Hockey level.  His work ethic is best summed up by more than one official who indicated that his mantra has been and remains “when do you need me and where should I show up”.

Though well known as an official, Dyer is even more well known as an educator and mentor who has spent countless hours recruiting talent, and developing new officials, both male and female.  In a traditionally male-dominated field, Dyer has worked tirelessly to attract and grow the number of young females, and designed programs specifically directed at that gender.

In his decades of officiating, Dyer has served as an official at both the WIAA and Minnesota High School League State Tournaments.  He has also worked at the NCAA Division III levels for both men’s and women’s games, and as an off-ice official at the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four.  He has also served as an officer and Board member for the Northeast Hockey Officials Association and the Seaway High School Association.

Dyer has served as the Education Coordinator for WHOA and has been the Camp Director for numerous summer officiating development camps.  He also served USA Hockey Central District as the Supervisor of Officials.  No matter the challenge, whether as a Mentor, Educator, recruiter or supervisor, Dyer has risen to the challenge and continues to further the growth of hockey and to improve the quality of ice hockey officiating.
 
Dyer and his wife Janet are retired and split time between Duluth, Florida and Stoughton, the residence of their son Bryan and his wife Tina and grandson Wyatt.