Dave Ralston is the current HCL Head Referee. Ralston comes to the HCL with over 13 years of officiating experience. Ralston’s resume is quite extensive as he began officiating back in 1996 in the USA. He started his career as an official for the USA Hockey program in both the Rocky Mountain and Mid Atlantic regions. Ralston then decided to take his skill even higher and became a key official in the USA College Club Hockey scene, officiating in both the Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL) and the Tri-State Collegiate Hockey League (TSCHL) as a Head Referee and Linesman.

For over 4 years, Ralston made his mark as a quality official for hundreds of college games. Ralston’s most memorable officiating experience was when he officiated the Pittsburg Penguins Training Camp back in 2004. Ralston, as part of his military commitment, moved to Germany back in 2005. He immediately wanted to get his feet back on the ice, not only as an official, but as a player as well. Ralston is a great goaltender and was responsible for bringing the Baden Bruins Army team to the 2006 USAFE Finals.

Ralston has played in the German leagues for the past years in both Regionaliga (EHC Zweibrucken) and Landesliga (VfR Pforzheim). His son has also taken into his footsteps and is currently playing for the Rhein Neckar Stars – BW Regionaliga. Recognizing the caliber of Ralston’s officiating, coupled with his managerial background, it did not take long for the DPL (Die Players Liga) to ask for his assistance as the new Head Referee of the largest Senior (Hobby) Hockey league in Germany. Ralston’s officiating and oversight of his Officials team has made the DPL’s reputation second to none. Ralston continues today as the current DPL Head Referee, as well, as an official of the Rheinland Pfalz Officiating team – officiating Regionaliga and Landesliga games.

Dave Ralston brings much experience and plenty of know how into the HCL as both an official and Head Referee.