Falcons Set To Present Golden Stripes Award

March 11, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA - The Springfield Falcons, proud members of the American Hockey League, announced today they will host their 4th Annual "Referee Appreciation Night" on Friday, March 20 when the Falcons host the Manchester Monarchs at the MassMutual Center. On this special evening, the fourth recipient of the "Golden Stripes Award" will be honored prior to the game. The "Golden Stripes Award" will be presented this year to Mr. Joe Buchholz.

Beginning in 1968, Buchholz refereed many games including those at the High School, Division 1 and 2 College, and ECAC levels. He also served as the National President of NIHOA (National Ice Hockey Officials Association) for several years.

"It's with tremendous honor that we present this special award to a gentleman so well deserving," said Falcons Vice President of Business Operations Bob Oliver. "His devotion to the duties of officiating, the sport of hockey and our community is something that we all strongly admire."

Buchholz began his lifelong passion for the game of hockey as a youngster skating on a field that was made into a skating rink in Blunt Park in Springfield. When he was 10, his father bought the kids some jerseys and they were off and running. In high school, he played for Springfield Tech until he graduated in 1943. As a senior, he became captain of the team and helped them win their 13th consecutive city championship. Upon graduation, he entered the service and became a navigator on a B-17 bomber.

When Buchholz entered American International College in 1948 as a freshman, he played football, baseball, and was a forward on Bill Turner's new hockey team. In his four years at A.I.C., he won All-East honors for two years, All-New England for three years and All-American in his senior year as captain of the team. According to a Springfield newspaper, what made him an All-American was "his heart and endurance." Dave Forbes, who went on to play for the Boston Bruins, came within a point of Buchholz's 152 point record, but Buchholz did it in 19 fewer games. His scoring record of 3.1 points per game holds to this day.

In 2003, Buchholz was named into the Cathedral High School Sports Hall of Fame followed by the A.I.C. Hall of Fame in 2005. Buchholz, at 84, still skates with friends at the Smead Arena in Blunt Park. He lives in Wilbraham, with his wife Patricia.

The "Golden Stripes Award" will be awarded annually to an On-Ice Official whose work within Western Massachusetts has selflessly demonstrated the essential characteristics of dedication, fairplay, positive attitude and communication skills. This individual has also shown an overwhelming desire to "give back" to the officiating community by volunteering his time off the ice as well, all the while leaving a positive lasting impression on his peers.



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