BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – For his work with youth officials and in his community, referee Nick Biondich has been named the recipient of the NCHC’s 2025-26 Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) announced on Monday.
 
Biondich was presented with his Mark Rudolph Award on Saturday night (Sept. 26) at the Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, Minn. as part of NCHC Referee Camp. NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems and NCHC Director of Officiating Mike Schmitt bestowed Biondich with his honor, while his wife, Nicole, and parents, Dan and Liz, were also in attendance.
 
Biondich is a 12-year veteran of the NCHC Officiating Staff, starting as a linesman back in 2014 before becoming a referee for the National two seasons ago in 2024-25. The Hermantown, Minn. resident has served as both a mentor and instructor for USA Hockey’s development of officials since 2007. Biondich was previously the District 11 Supervisor of Officials in Minnesota and was recently elected as Minnesota Hockey Officials North Vice President.
 
“Nick is a true representation of what this award is about. Nick gives back to his community in so many ways,” Schmitt said. “His work with younger officials in the Duluth area through USA Hockey has built up the officiating pool and piqued interest in being a referee or linesman. Within the NCHC, Nick is a great team member and looked upon as a leader among our senior officials. His knowledge of the NCAA rules is incredible and allowed him to be involved in the making of the updated Division I men’s hockey rule book.”
 
Off the ice, Biondich has volunteered time in his community, often serving as a volunteer firefighter or helping raise funds for the local fire department. In the early 2000s, he was a volunteer EMT with the Eveleth Fire Department and volunteered for the Hermantown Fire Department after that. Biondich was named Hermantown Firefighter of the Year while volunteering before giving up his job as a physical therapist to become a full-time firefighter in Duluth. He was promoted to Assistant Chief of the Duluth Fire Department this past December.
 
As part of his service to his community, Biondich organizes the annual golf tournament fundraiser for the Duluth Honor Guard and is on the Duluth Firefighters Local 101 Earnest L. Butler Jr. and Pamela Wutz Scholarship committee. He also rings bells for the Salvation Army during the holiday season, attends Duluth Fire Department union meetings, and helps train future firefighters with classes at Lake Superior College.
 
The NCHC’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award is named in honor of Mark Rudolph, a long-time official and distinguished administrator who resides in Colorado Springs and established USA Hockey’s National Officiating Program, among many other accomplishments. The award was officially established prior to the 2014-15 season but is not necessarily presented annually. It was last awarded to NCHC supervisor of officials Thor Nelson in 2024.
 
Criteria for the Mark Rudolph Award recipient is an individual who, through dedicated effort and service, both on and off the ice, has achieved a distinguished accomplishment during the previous NCHC season, and who by his actions has significantly enhanced the NCHC and its officiating program.
 
Past NCHC Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award Winners
2013-14 - John Philo
2014-15 - Paul Carnathan
2015-16 - Joe Sullivan
2016-17 - Timm Walsh
2017-18 - Ron Foyt
2018-19 - Justin Hills
2019-20 – Geno Binda
2020-21 - Mike Schmitt
2021-22 – Josh Fenton
2023-24 – Thor Nelson
2025-26 – Nick Biondich