Sick of the "Top Ten of the Decade" Stuff?

Hold on to your touques...this is one sweet video:

I Wish I Had the Crew Don Cherry Does...

What in the name of  Bad Suits are you talking about???

Watch this video from Hockey Night in Canada from this past Saturday night (12/19/09).  If I had a whole T.V. production crew behind me, I could really pump out some great clips, too:



While watching it, pay attention to the part where he starts talking up former UND Sioux player, Matt Greene (around the 6:00 mark, "Here's a guy having a look.").

What in the name of High Collars does this have to do with hockey refs???

It all has to do with the new buzzword these days (thanks to the Northwest Airline Pilots who overshot the Twin Cities by 100+ miles) -- situational awareness.   

It's all about knowing who is where and doing what on the ice.  

It's all about knowing what any of the 10 skaters are doing on the ice.  


It's about knowing what type of play might unfold (good or bad).  


It's about knowing any number of given factors and processing them at once. 

The hockey refs who are in the Ultimate Officials 3 Month Camp will get much more information on this.  If you have the desire, the need, or the interest in becoming a championship level referee, contact me at: info@ultimateofficials.com and we will set you up.

* (You could be like this guy -- "I got a good eval with scores of good or excellent in all categories.  Although I'm shooting for all excellents for next time so I have work to do.  I got a lot of positive comments and I have to thank you for those because most of them were on things I had picked up from watching your videos and game critiques. ")

* (You could also be like this guy --  I did a Bantam A game...in walked a evaluator to watch me tonight. I was a little nervous a first but just did the things I have learned and all went well. He sat down and went through it with me after the second period and it was a very very good eval. He loved my skating and hustle.

     He said I was always in good position, and checking players at face offs ( don’t move) and gave me an excellent on my awareness. He really liked the way I circled back though the zone when players left to the neutral zone as I was always after the last player offensive player out.  I hope this helps me get some bigger games.  Thanks for all the help and advice you have given me.")

Annual Holiday Post (I Always Love this One)

As the holiday season is upon us, just thought I'd once again show the sweetest holiday hockey video out there.  A tribute to the old Soviet teams (not to mention some 'unique' training methods).  Plus Igor Larionov's two good looking (they don't sing too bad, either :) daughters:

UO New Year's Resolution Workout

What do I suggest???  How about a mental makeover...

   

  Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io 

 

Contact me to sign up for the 60 Day Challenge.  It just might save your life (no hype intended).

my email: info@ultimateofficials.com

Boogey Actually Fights (only his 4th this year)

A quick left to the face, and two quick rights to end the fight:

The "Ultimate" New Year's Resolution

New Year's Resolutions 2010:

1. Lose those 10-20 extra pounds
2. Gain some muscle definition
3. Work the Championship Game

Ultimate Officials Announces the 2010 New Year's Resolution Fitness Challenge:

Who: Anyone who wants to make a change in their life.  Lose weight...gain muscle...get quicker...better stamina.  All hockey referees contact me [ info@ultimateofficials.com ].

What: A Fitness Challenge that lasts 60 Days -- January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2010.  (60) Days to make a serious change in your physical self!

When: Register by the end of December (deadline is Jan 15th - Take Action NOW!).  As stated, we are going from January 1 until February 28th.  Let's call it "The Push for the Playoffs"

Where: At your gym, your home (I got stuff for you - click here), or anywhere you can work off some pounds and add some muscle!

Why: See what past participants in our Fitness Challenges have said before:

" I know I have gotten strong and faster in my legs and that was one area I brought it nearly every time.  Happy to be up 6 lbs, I was hoping to eclipse the 160 mark with this as those 6 came early, but I plateaued after that.  I think part of that comes from losing some fat and gaining some muscle.  I know endurance and strength have improved."

Neil M.

"There is no question that my core, legs and stamina are better than they were when I started and I will continue w/ my 3 per week, plus playing hockey once a week and officiating as many games as I can."

Mike D.

"So far I have lost 18 lbs and have restructured my body. I used to wear size 38 pants and now wear 36s. My work shirts fit better but some of my other shirts look a little baggy to my wife. My face and chest look a lot slimmer and it is very noticeable."

Ken T.

"I have gotten a few questions/compliments about how skinny I look lately. I think a lot of it had to do with the nutrition part. I was in the group of guys that really had no idea was would be a good diet and what/when should I be eating.  The nutritional instruction provided in the swat team manuel and blogs/e-mails was really helpful for me.  I have changed a lot of what/when I eat.  That I think is a lot more than a 12 week contest for me."

 Darren G.

And much, much more...

** NOTE: NO MORE FREE REGISTRATIONS.  EVERY SINGLE HOCKEY REF WHO REGISTERED FOR FREE DID NEXT TO NOTHING, HAD LITTLE TO REPORT, AND PROVED THAT WITH NO INVESTMENT, THERE IS NO RETURN (OK, the percentage of those who did something was less than 1%-not good odds). **

You can register by contacting me [ info@ultimateofficials.com ].

I will give you all kinds of information on (a) workouts, (b) nutrition, (c) hockey referee specific information, and (d) resources you can use over and over again.

What Could You Win???:  (A) $100 for First Place (Adam Shadiow won the last contest), (B) a healthier body, (C) less weight to lug around the ice, and (D) mayber even that Championship Game!

Contact me to register [ info@ultimateofficials.com ].

All I Got to Share About Tiger

I have written on here before about how much I admire Tiger Woods and his killer instinct, his drive for perfection, his work ethic.

And now this...

All I have to say right now is the Tiger, Buddy...man up. Don't go hide in the corner.

This is funny:

Happy Hannukah (this is funny)

OK, for those of you who know Adam Sandler, or are from about my age range and remember the "The Hannukah Song" from about the mid-1990's...well...you should love this one.  If you don't know the song, go [here], or even check the lyrics [here].

Now, on to John Buccigross. This is a funny, funny man, and I love reading his NHL stories. To give you some background, he has a funny fascination with Hakan Loob (you'd have to be from my age range or older to remember the Swede on the Calgary teams of late 80's or so -- he was the one who wore the funny Jofa helmet).

Soooo...as a parody of the "Hannukah Song", Buccigross wrote the "Hakan-Hannukah Song".

Here's the lyrics:

This is a song that, uh ... there's a lot of Norwegian songs out there, but not too many about Hakan Loob and Swedish hockey players. So, I wrote a song for all those nice Swedish kids who don't get to hear any Swedish hockey songs. Here we go ...


Put on some ABBA-kah,
Here comes Hakan-Hanukkah!
So much Swedish-funukah,
To celebrate Hakan-Hanukkah!
Hakan-Hanukkah is a festival of ice
Instead of one night of hockey, we have 180 crazy nights.
When you feel like the only kid in town without a Synergy,
Here's a list of people who are Swedish, just like Mats Sundin:
Henrik Zetterberg was once pulled over for speedin',
Henrik Lundqvist and twin bro, Joel, were born in Are, Sweden
Guess who eats crayfish at a bistro in Malmo?
Patrik Berglund, Fredrik Modin and ex-Oiler Tommy Salo


Victor Hedman's rookie card will be something worth collectin'
So is Kent's and Ulf Nilsson's and Pelle Eklund's.
Swedish names are awesome, and Swedish names are fun,
There's a Nik Backstrom in Minny, and one in Washington! One's Swedish!


Put on your ABBA-kah,
It's time for Hakan-Hanukkah!
The ex-captain of the Vancouver Canuck-anukkahs, celebrates Hakan-Hanukkah!


Saku Koivu, not a Swede
But guess who is? Hakan's older brother Pete (he scored one goal in nine NHL games)


Peter Forsberg has bad feet, but he still likes dancin',
So do Roger, Mathias, Calle, Bjorn and Andreas Johansson.
Mike Grier's not from Sweden, nor Dainius Zubrus
But Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin and Hakan Loob is!


So many Swedes are in the NHL,
Tobias Enstrom's in Atlanta, but it feels like hockey hell!


Tell your friend Per-onica,
It's time for Hakan-Hanukkah!
I pray for new Graf-onikahs
On this lovely Hakan-Hanukkah!
So drink your cold Fal-connika
And golf 18 with Annika
If you really, really wannakah
Have a happy, happy, happy Hakan-Hanukkah!


Happy Hakan-Hanukkah!

Am I Going to Miss the 'Stache?

Probably not...although I am a man who believes in supporting causes [see video below] that support battling cancer, I am not so sure about the whole Movember thing (maybe I'll do it next year just to irritate my wife...hehehe):

* Owen Nolan = rad (I don't use that saying very much or lightly) moustache
* Mikko Koivu = looks like a Finn with a 'stache
* James Sheppard = looks like 1980
* Clutterbuck = best 'stache award


Stay tuned for the 2010 Zebra Open:

Who Did You Draw?

A certain thought came across my mind as I was taking in 5 hockey games over this past Thanksgiving weekend (4 of which were NCAA Div. 1 games, and 1 Bantam A game)...

Out of the 8 hockey officials working the Subway Classic in Grand Forks, ND at The Ralph , 6 of them were from Minnesota.  If you include the UND Women's series that was going on that weekend, too, of the 12 hockey referees, 9 of them were from Minnesota (and 6 of those 9 are from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area).

And that led me to think -- "Who is your competition?"

If you are striving for a spot in a league, or for playoffs, or for the postseason, you need to have a good idea who your competition is out there.  You don't need to dwell on it too long, but have an idea what you are up against.

I remember a conversation I had with former Fargo South High School Coach, Dean Wilson.  He was one of the first one's to really point out to me that it can always depend on who you draw whether or not you get a job.  Back in 1989, he applied for the vacant coaching job in Roseau, MN.  He felt he was fully qualified (and knowing his coaching ability AND his stellar record at Fargo South, I'd agree), but he didn't get the job.  Dean Blais got the job.  "So, Wils, who did you draw?"  He drew Dean Blais (two-time national championship coach at University of North Dakota -- future Gopher coach...hehehe).

So who did you draw?  Getting back to the referees from this weekend, the cold hard facts are that 6 out of 12 officials were from the Twin Cities (tough row to hoe, if you're from the Twin Cities).  In fact, out of the referees (not linesman) in the WCHA on the Men's side, 11 of the 22 on staff are from the Twin Cities.  So, the fact is...if you are from the Twin Cities, and you want to ref the WCHA...well...it's a long line.

How can we best sum this up?  Sometimes you are the "Right Guy in the Right Place at the Wrong Time."  There are a lot of factors that come into play on whether you get the opportunities you want:

• is there an opening (to get into the WCHA, one of these guys needs to quit/retire)?
• who else is waiting with you?
• are you in your prime, past your prime, or not quite 'prime time'
• AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE YOU DONE EVERYTHING TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE TIME THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF? (Luck = when preparation meets opportunity).

To best prepare yourself. [go here], register ASAP (because others are getting in line ahead of you! hehehe).

This Is Your Time!

OK, a bit delayed, but still funny.  Josh Sacco, youtube wonder kid, was at the Wild game last weekend.  Funny.  Too funny:



The video that sparked his celebrity:

I Don't Doubt it One Bit

I read this in the paper the other day, and then looked into it further with an online research of "Associated Press Basketball Refs".  I found this [article] and this quote:

"We'd like them to have no memory and strictly call what's going on on the court," Anderson said. "But part of this is, if I'm a ref, I want everyone to think I'm fair and if I call 10 fouls on one team and two on the other, people are going to think something's going on here. It's sort of subconscious. And it points out one of the biggest problems with basketball is that it's a very hard game to officiate."


Why don't I doubt this one bit?  Because I think it's true and it's real.  I ask you to do some homework throughout this season.  When you read the box scores in the paper for NHL games, take a look at the power plays.  It will be real easy to read.  Let's look at some from this past week (Power Play Goals/Power Play Opportunities -- the home team is listed second):

1. 0 for 1, 0 for 2
2. 2 for 3, 1 for 4
3. 0 for 4, 1 for 6
4. 0 for 0, 0 for 4
5. 0 for 2, 1 for 6
6. 0 for 3, 0 for 4
7. 1 for 3, 0 for 1
8. 1 for 4, 0 for 5
9. 0 for 3, 1 for 2
10. 1 for 2, 1 for 5

Average for 10 most recent games:


Visitor = 2.5 power plays per game (averaging 1/2 goals per game on PP)


Home = 3.9 power plays per game (averaging 1/2 goals per game on PP!, despite more opportunities)


Well...so what?!  Huh???


How about this...

• the marbles are usually always very even
• the home team usually gets more power plays than the visitors
• the refs are really good at making this a reality for game to game, season to season

I realize that I have sampled a whopping 10 ten games here, hardly a representative sample.  I don't really want to crunch numbers beyond that.  I don't want to do that because (a) I want you to watch the power plays throughout the rest of this season, and (b) I know from my own experience that the "keep the marbles even" is true.


All I am going to say any further is this...good coaches know this.  They know that if a series of three or four penalties are called against their team, that chances are the next call will go in their favor.  They also know that in the end, everything usually evens out.  You see, whenever I have "rung a team up for a bunch in a row" and I have some coach just come "un-glued" with me, deep down I really feel like saying, "Just wait, Buddy.  Things will work out in the end."  [Really want to see more thoughts about this? - click here].


Where did I first learn this?  From one of my mentors.  


Do you want to argue with me?  Send me an email at: info@ultimateofficials.com


I've got loads of data and research to support my points.  I'll just use that data to ensure there is a fair and equitable playing field (wouldn't want to tip the scales in favor of one side or the other, eh? -- After all, there's two teams!!).

It Takes a Stiff Back Bone

Alex Ovechkin gets booted at home.  Does that take a stiff back bone, or not??:

When I go back through my memory banks of my mind, I try to think about memorable times that I had some lopsided marbles when it comes to penalty calls.  Believe me, there have been numerous times when one team deserves more penalties than the other team.  And I would say that is true with the new standard of play now more than it used to be.

Back to racking my mind, going through my mental database of lopsided penalty calls.  Guess what?  90% of them happened against the visiting team OR at some "neutral site" or event, like a National Championship or All-Star Festival, where there is no home crowd per se.

I can think of five times, three of which involved a WCHA game:

• The time the Gophers took just a boat load of penalties against Mankato, and Chris Harrington took a 10 minute Misconduct for shattering his stick over the cross bar, in protest of a power play 5 on 3 goal.  This all happened in the 2nd period, and when we left the ice at the conclusion of that period, I can't remember any other time where the building actually SHOOK from the thunderous "boo's" that showered down upon us.

• The time UMD was playing UND in Duluth, and a number of calls went against the home team, the last of which was a called off goal at the 3rd period buzzer, which would have tied the game and sent it into OT (this was wayyyyy before replay).  That was the one time I had never before seen so much garbage rain down on the ice.  There was a fan that tried to attack the referee, and this guy got whooped up on by the cops.  We were escorted out the building.

• Once at UMD for a holiday tournament, UMD was playing Boston University.  There were numerous calls that went against BU, all deserved, and at the end of the game, I saw a coach against ref tirade that was something like this [see video].

• I seriously felt like the locals were coming after me with tars, and feathers, lighted torches, and pitch forks once in Green Bay...I was reffing Green Bay against Waterloo in the old Brown County Coliseum (what a dump), and the home team took the majority of the penalties.  At about the 10:00 mark of the 3rd period, Waterloo called a time out, and the PA blasted "Three Blind Mice" and put my name up on the scoreboard message board.  My name was called out for the rest of the game, and at the conclusion of the game, the home team's coach told me what he really felt about my performance that night.  I was also escorted out of the building by Brown County's finest that night.

• In Proctor, MN, at a Pee Wee A tournament,  my partner and I rang Proctor up for a bunch of penalties in the championship game of their Invitational Tourney.  That was my first introduction to really being verbally accosted by a mob, because you had to walk through the lobby to get to the refs room (which, I kid you not, was a broom closet!).  We got verbally abused again when leaving the building, and I was told to "Never Come Back!"  Well...that was about 1993, and I haven't been back since.

What's my point here?  I will just say something like this -- whenever the home team gets swept in a WCHA series, everyone is grumpy, angry, downright hostile.  I can go through my mind and think of many other instances where I had lopsided penalties, but they typically all involve the visiting team.  

I am just saying it is human nature, and if you try to combat this by being a 100% "Book" Referee, you will not go very far.  "Book" referees are the strict disciplinarians who call everything right by the book. Theses guys are told they have "no feel" for the game.  I agree.  A "Book" Referee can be good...but...he will never be great.

You want more insight on this?  Join our [Ultimate Officials Ref Camp].  Or [email me for more info].

You Don't Know What You Don't Know

You know what is the most FRUSTRATING part of being a high level referee?

You don't know what you don't know.

You know what is the most OBLIVIOUS part of being an amateur, beginner, status quo ref?


You don't know what you don't know.

Trust me...they are very different feelings.

Let's start with the upper level referee.  This is the guy who has "made it" or is on his way to hopefully making it (in my case, I "made it" when I worked the WCHA and the IIHF.  This was also the case when I was reffing a lot of USHL, working my way towards the WCHA/IIHF).

You wonder if your penalty selection is still good?  Does that need improvements?  How about your communication choices with coaches?  I am not talking about your communication skills overall (because they tend to be what they tend be - you wouldn't have gotten this far if you weren't able to communicate).  I am talking about handling different situations, the ones that tend to be difficult, like when a coach gives you the "choke" sign, or when a line brawl occurs.

You see...you always wonder, you always think, "Am I getting it right?"  You sure do wish someone would tell you, because...no one usually does.  The supervision at these levels can be few and far between.  You don't know what you don't know, and it could just eat you up inside.

There have been referees who work the minor pros who have "cracked".  Seriously, this is stuff that has caused ulcers, stress, loss of sleep, even more serious mental conditions.  Why?  If you take your job with the utmost importance and you pour your 'heart and soul' into reffing, you really want to know if you made the right decisions (which aren't always the correct ones...know what I mean?).

These guys in the minors, they spend soooo much time in their car, driving all over creation, all alone with their thoughts.  No one to bounce ideas off of, and feeling...well...on an island.  And I am not talking about an island with a tropical drink melting in your hand.

Now for the "inexperienced" referee.  This is the guy who is just starting to learn that he wants to do something cool with his life (err, something cool with his reffing).  In my case, this was when I started to go to camps (MHOA and then Western Regional).  This was when I first started to work junior games (MJHL and USHL), and definitely when I first started to work high school.

I have been watching these "types" of guys very, very closely for the past three seasons.  Here are some findings:

• They just do what everyone else is doing, which may include being lazy at whistles, skating around with facial hair or an unkempt look, not working the goal line correctly, simply calling 'black and white' penalties, and basically showing up and just being there.
  

• They get advice from people who are NOT above them in the food chain, therefore, they get poor, sometimes downright neglectful advice, and think nothing of it.
  

• They have the same mental mindset when working games, which, can be, "how do I get more of the good, high paying games?"  They are typically not following any type of philosophy.

I call this type of officiating "incestual".  You could say, "the blind leading the blind," but I say incestual, because, after awhile, everyone looks the same, more and more like each other, and they get dumber and dumber.  Incestual.

Ever care to find out "what you don't know"?

There are over 20 guys in the [Ultimate Officials Referee Camp] doing just that.  I am kind of scared/frustrated/upset that they could have been following someone else's lead.  Gulp.

What in the Name of Bill Belichek are You Doing?

Doesn't that "hoodie" look great?!? I love it!

How about some "X's" and "O's" to make you a better official?

Is Belichek a misunderstood genius or a riverboat gambler?

Care to look at the thing beyond just scratching the surface level?

What are you trying to prove again, J.B.???

Developing the best hockey referees (without cutting corners) in the shortest amount of time.  Or, for example, "is there a way to teach a ref with 5 years experience to referee like he had 20 years experience?"

Familiar with the Bill Belichek debate from last Sunday's Colts v. Patriots game?  If you don't know, Belichek went for it on 4th down, with the ball on their own 28 yard line, with 2:08 left.  Ballsy?  Maybe not.  How about playing the percentages?  Well...you gotta punt, right?

When I first heard this news, I thought of this HS coach who never punts, kicks PAT's/Field Goals, and does all on-sides kicks.  That guy is Kevin Kelley and here is an interview of him on ESPN: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4577094

What's this got to do with creating the best referees?  How about this:

• breaking down the game on a shift by shift basis to help predict outcomes
• analyzing all positioning on the ice to give concrete data on where you can best place a ref
• breaking down the skating elements to best train hockey refs (I apologize to all skating students out there, but I honestly believe that I have sold you all short.  If you have had me in any power skating instruction, I have taught you the best I could, with all my heart, but I have discovered I was missing an IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT piece.  Sorry.)
• teaching the "feel" of the game to increase success rates (another thing you can research and document)
• teaching officials the proper things to say to be the best communicator

See this explanation:

(oops...I guess to see more, you have to be a part of the Ultimate Officials Referee Camp.  You might be saying, 'J.B., looks like it started on Nov. 1,' and you'd be right.  But, you need to know that our camps are broken down into 3 month segments to coincide with the year-round training for hockey referees.  Therefore, any program you would start (like now, today) would run for three months.)

Just Because I Like Posting Creative Stuff

This guy is pretty darn good (see the other link below):



Last year's video classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWVxtA3X2ro

I Went to a Hockey Game and a Fight Broke Out

Too funny.  Too funny:

I've Got Phenomenal Things to Report...

If you are a ref, and aren't involved in the "Early Season Ultimate Officials Referee Camp"...well...I just hope your (fill in the blank -- MHOA, Instructors, Regional, etc) was this good...

Check it out from my [teaching blog]:

Kenpo X

• The warm up in this video is something you SHOULD do to warm up for a junior, college, or pro game
• I will continue to rave on about P90X and how specific it is to hockey referees...BUT...
• I am going to do a "book report" on Lance Armstrong and do more 'teachable moments'

Hey, Ref! You Got a Coach?!?

Seriously...do you?  Do you know what in "h-e-double hockey sticks" is going on in your games?  Do you find yourself guessing yourself?

Before I go on too far (and possibly lose you, because the average attention span nowadays is, like, 10 seconds), I want to bullet a list of things coming:

• Video Tutorials on "Why I Love the 2-1 Ref System" (yeah, you read that right, I love the 2-1 system, and if it confuses/frustrates you, well, come along and I'll reveal some secrets).

• New One Page Website, strictly on: "What Exactly Do You Offer (to those not in Minneapolis/St. Paul)?" This will be a 'one-stop' shop to see how/why the Ultimate Officials Online Referee Camps can benefit you and your association.

• A rant/rave on "How to Shed 10 pounds (for good) and Be a Better Skater".  Seriously, man, have you looked in the mirror lately?  Without sucking in your gut?  How about taking a picture of yourself in shorts and no shirt?

OK...hope I still got you here.  There is a hockey writer out there who I think is a brother from another mother for me.  I haven't told him this per se (I did try to get in his Fantasy Hockey League, but he didn't take me :( but he says some really DIFFERENT stuff.  Not your usual hockey writings.

Here's Justin Bourne's latest blog entry [Bourne's Blog].

I want to include an excerpt here to help explain myself and what the guys in the Ultimate Officials Referee Camp are receiving in the way of coaching for hockey refs:

“Old school coaches” that GM’s and owners love to hire (”nobody’s slackin’ on our team!”) beat up the same tired mantra.  It’s about hard work.

Gotta be ready from the drop of the puck!  Finish checks!  Out-work ‘em down low!  Gogogo!  …Oh we lost?  We got outworked.  See you at practice tomorrow.

Davis would still preach hard work, but he prepares his teams too.  Before each game, the whiteboard was JAMMED with information.  Those crib notes included our opponents most used breakouts, their powerplay breakouts, powerplay setups, who to “key on” (who’s the most frequent PP shooter, stay in his lane), what their penalty kill setup is, goalie’s weakness etc.  Then, the list of all of our info… same stuff, other side.

He had it up as soon as we walked in the room, so guys could grab a coffee and study up before he came in and went over it all.

Between periods, he made adjustments.  “They switched from a box plus-one on the powerplay to an umbrella, here’s our counter-adjustment…”

Have you ever been evaluated and told real basic stuff like:

• keep working hard, you'll get there
• you're not doing anything wrong, you're real close to being one of my top guys
• you need to be a better skater
• you'll get your chance

How about coaching that is specific to you and your needs?  In order to not blab on and on and on, here's some recent comments I have received:
*************************************************
"J.B., Thank you for the evaluation! I have reviewed it 4 times since you sent it last night.  I learn something everytime I watch it.  I really appreciate it!" and "First of all, I really appreciate everything you are doing for me.  You have know idea what this means to me!"

*************************************************

"I want it JB… and I might not ever get there, but it is my “far goal” that really helps me focus on my weaknesses during those 6 goal Women’s games."

*************************************************

"I really appreciate your help and feedback so far. It has been really great and extremely helpful. I am looking forward to improving a lot this year."

*************************************************

"Thanks for the individual message. I agree with the goals for this year.  My number one priority is to learn the 2-1 system."

*************************************************

"If I were an up-and-coming official, I would gladly have paid $25 a week to have someone of your caliber come out and watch me and give me feedback."

*************************************************

"So far I have lost 18 lbs and have restructured my body. I used to wear size 38 pants and now wear 36s. My work shirts fit better but some of my other shirts look a little baggy to my wife. My face and chest look a lot slimmer and it is very noticeable."

*************************************************

And, lastly, I will steal a youtube clip from Bourne's Blog, featuring an out-of-control coach (p.s. I know and have worked with the referee):

 

Who's On Your Team? May the Force be With You?

 Go from the Guy on the Left to the Guy on the Right


Have you ever heard the expression, "the officials are the third team on the ice?"  Well, it's true and how you work with that team says A LOT about you.

I am going to talk about my own journey as a "young apprentice" into a "jedi knight", and might just change the identities of some to protect the innocent (and guilty).

• When I first started out in USA Hockey, I was a high school junior.  I reffed for two years in high school to (a) get more ice time and (b) make a few bucks.  That was it.  I enjoyed the game and kind of did my best.  I worked with other high school teammates like myself.  There was no striving for referee excellence going on.

• When I got to college, for a few years, reffing was the best part-time job anyone could offer.  And that's how I viewed it.  I worked with a lot of other "greenhorns" (anyone from my generation remember 'Grizzly Adams' and the Uncle Jesse guy on the show always calling Adams a 'Greenhorn' - that's the only way I knew that saying....some outsider who knew little about nothing..haha).  Working with Greenhorns didn't push me into any level of excellence either.

TO SUM UP MY FIRST FIVE YEARS OF REFFING = You Don't Know what you Don't Know

You may think you are doing all the right things, going through the right actions, 'behaving' like a referee in the right ways, but you don't know how incompetent you really are.  Keep in mind, the majority of the refs out there are average.  If you want to be like the norm...well...that's cool...you will be a normal referee.

•  The next five years of my reffing career had the following circumstances: (1) met Rick Looker, (2) got a serious drive to be the "best referee", (3) went to MHOA camp, (4) worked Bantam A State Tourney, (5) went to Regional Camp, (6) worked MJHL as a ref, USHL as a linesman, (7) went to National and Select Camp, (8) worked USHL as a ref, and (9) worked MSHSL Boy's State Tourney as a linesman, and (10) hired by WCHA.  

TO SUM UP THE NEXT FIVE YEARS = Knowing What I Needed to do to Be The Best

So this all meant that I was associating myself with like-minded guys who all wanted to be the best.  We pushed each other.  We all strove to get the same assignments.  We developed some commaraderie, and even some long-lasting relationships.

However...I would still end up working with some...let's just say..."doozies".

That's going to be the reality.  For example, when I was first doing lines in high school, I was travelling to such exotic locations as Indus, MN (natural ice under a shell, open to the elements), Park Rapids, MN (they actually stored potatoes in the arena during the summer) and Bagley, MN (outdoors, you wear a ski mask,  amongst the pines), and I did games for other guys who...were...doozies.  I had two things to do in those games: (1) keep my high expectations up there and (2) take care of the team.

That means -- you don't get angry with them when they foul up (which they'll do more frequently than you'd like), you never question their advice (keep your mouth shut and work hard), and realize that they have been around awhile and will talk about you.  Hopefully all that talk about you is good.

• The past 11 years of my officiating has brought about lots of things (I am starting year 22 of reffing), and I continue to work with some of the guys I associated myself with in the beginning of my push for excellence.  I also work with some doozies.  And I want to note they are all great guys.  Hockey people are the best, and that goes particularly for hockey officials. 

To SUM UP THE YEARS 11 until I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND STILL REFFING (see Chris Chelios:):  

I Push for Excellence Everytime.  I Love the Game.  I take Pride in Professionalism.  And I am looking for more guys who want that push towards excellence...you know...the guys who "don't know what they don't know"?

"You don't build a reputation on what you are going to do."

The Most Hockey Referee Specific Workout

With videos to prove it!  Results...skating muscles...athleticism...agility...first step speed.

Follow [my journey] and you will see the results:

Head Shots?

What in the Wide World of Sports is going on here...Petr Sykora out for the MN Wild out...the NHL GM's are looking into it...the worlds' goofiest helmet look...here's what Boston GM says:

"I don't like the fact that there are these violent hits to the head. But also, there's a balance that you have to have," Chiarelli said as the Bruins practiced at Ristuccia Arena in preparation for Tuesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden. "If you start legislating contact out of the game, it's not going to be a very entertaining game. So I guess I feel strongly about continuing to discuss it and try to find solutions. But you have to be very careful.........."There's nothing magical," he said. "You have to instruct the referees properly. There's a threshold, there's an element of intent."

OK, so what's the proper way?  Only thing I can think about is late, avoidable hits, and all coaches seem to hate that penalty (unless it's called against the other team).  Why?  They want guys to finish their check to send a message.  Well...I am all of 'getting after it during play' and letting them 'battle', but late hits?...come on.  I don't see the need.

PLUS...I want you to explain to me the difference between this hit:

No penalty, no suspension:


And this hit: No penalty, one game suspension:


Can someone please help?

Well...I prefer a different kind of shot to a head shot (I know, I've done this before...too funny):
You Call That a Shot?

Athlete or Non-Athlete

I don't have a problem with guys who referee hockey for purely "hobby-type" aspirations or recreational reasons...I just don't want their 'cooties'.

I'm looking for guys like that right now for our "Early Season Referee Camp" that runs 3 months from November thru January 31. 

"Attitudes are contageous...is your's worth catching?"

I came up through the ranks with a bunch of athletes.  There were some guys who (a) were really good at what they did, or (b) cared about their reffing so dang much that they did what was necessary to be really good at what they did.  They were athletes.

 

            Athlete?                                                          Non-Athlete?

** Here's an assignment for you:

• Go to your local rink, watch a Bantam game, Midget game, H.S. game (nothing at PeeWee and below, because the percentages will go way up) and tell me how many overweight, out-of-shape guys you see?  Tell me how many guys with unshaven faces and sloppy looking uniforms?  Tell me how many guys wear glasses while reffing?

50%?  More?  Less? 

I am sure all of those guys are great guys and do the game a service, BUT...

I don't want them on my team.  I want athletes.  Guys who are willing to pay the price.  Guys who want it so bad that it hurts.  Guys who would be willing to go through a brick wall to get it. 

Guys, like Adam Shadiow, the winner of the Ultimate Officials 12 Week Transformation Contest:

"Wow.  I guess that’s really it.  I really didn’t sign up to win.  I mean sure, I’m competitive, I wanted to win, but that wasn’t my goal.  There are a bunch of other guys on that list that are pretty dedicated.  I signed up as a motivator.  Something to remind me mentally each day that if I don’t work-out… I have to own it… to friends.  I have to tell people that I highly respect, “Yeah, I couldn’t even motivate myself to go into my own basement today.”  I did it because I couldn’t do it alone.  I’ve tried.  For me, the social aptitude bit was worth every cent and the gateway to a realization that ultimately is worth more than any financial, physical, or mental reward.  What I won… is my freedom from the idea that something is always in my way.  To the extent of my personal, professional and recreational goals:

THE ONLY THING IN MY WAY IS ME."

Check out this [link].

p.s. I ain't got nothing to bribe you to take action quickly...like NOW.  I guess I am supposed to do that to help generate response.  If you dont' want it badly, and you don't take action, I might not be able to help you.  REMEMBER: The only thing in the way of you is YOU!.

Just Because I Felt Like Reminiscing...

This is game 2 of the Aisa League (Aisa's pro league) semi-final between Oji Eagles and Seibu Prince Rabbits.  I guess you get to see (a) a non-call on a hold, (b) disallowed goal for a kick, and a 5 on 3 goal in OT, where the Oji captain chased me all around the rink to 'm-f' me (btw, I'm the dude in orange bands).

What Does the SWAT Team Get You?

Have you heard??  Ultimate Officials ran an off-season workout contest...did you miss out?  If so, here are some things you missed out on (these are some of the testimonials):

• "I never took absolute starting measurements or pictures before round one. I never started it for a beachbody or measurement increases. I was skeptical and did not think anything would change. Boy was I wrong. I had ZERO definition anywhere on my body. The now pictures are pretty nice. Wish I had start ones to compare to.
  
  The biggest thing I have found is that I now recover a lot faster. Prior to this my hamstrings would spasm severely if I worked them too hard. That is not the case anymore. Post workout soreness is now very minimal if any."

• "The results that I got were i got a half inch on my right bicep and 3/4 of an inch on my left bicep.  My stamina is much better now and cut my mile time down from 6:47 to 6:31.  My chest did not get bigger, but I feel stronger in my chest and back.  I am now able to do 40 pushups in one straight set which is better than when i started where I could only do 21. "
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  "How did I do ,, simple I did everything I said I was going to do , there where times that I missed but I tried to make it up as best as I could. After the 3rd week of the program I felt it was time to step it up so I introduced P90X into the mix and never looked back. I am about to finish my first round in a couple of weights and I feel Great I love what I have accomplished in a short period of time. I look forward to continued results over the next round that I do. I notice my conditioning has paid off where as officiating numerous games I would be winded , now bring it on , I feel great and look for more.
  
  
  
  This is just my starting point I plan on this LIFE change to sink in real deep and look to become better and better. "
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• "Results: My weight from 187 lbs to 176 lbs (going back to Xmas time last year I weighed 200 lbs).  My waist dropped an inch from 36 to 35. "

• " I know my thighs have grown because my compression shorts definitely fit a LOT tighter.  I know I have gotten strong and faster in my legs and that was one area I brought it nearly every time.  Happy to be up 6 lbs, I was hoping to eclipse the 160 mark with this as those 6 came early, but I plateaued after that.  I think part of that comes from losing some fat and gaining some muscle.  I know endurance and strength have improved.  "

• "There is no question that my core, legs and stamina are better than they were when I started and I will continue w/ my 3 per week, plus playing hockey once a week and officiating as many games as I can."

• 
  
  "Overall weight loss in 90 Days: 30 pounds.  I was 250-255 90 days ago.  Today the scale reads 220.5-224.5!  Really amazing! "
  
   
  
  

All I can say is that RESULTS speak for themselves.  What also happens here is the all of these guys are getting Bigger and Better games (at a MUCH faster period than ever before!).



The Ultimate Officials [Early Season Camp] is running right now.  Check it out! (or just get missed...again...you make the call!)

Do We Have a Problem Here...

Whenever I talk to people who know absolutely nothing about hockey, they usually ask, "Why is there fighting allowed in hockey?"  Well, I have to tell them that it is only allowed in "fighting" leagues, like the pros, minors, and juniors.  Then I get asked, "Why do they allow it, when the Olympics don't?"  Then I have to say something about 'tradition, getting aggression out vs. high sticking, or some other company line.' 

I had such a guy ask me, "What exactly is charging?"  I told it is taking three or more stides to check someone.  He asked me, realy serious like/kind of dumbfounded..."Why isn't it called?"  I looked at him.  Blankly.  Told some b.s. about tradition, aggression, and some company line.

What's the big talk so far?

How about this: A definite run

Nick Leddy breaks his jaw: Teach = How? Who? (good luck)

TSN weighs in on the issue: article here

Mike Richards hit: NHL says 'no suspension' but WCHA says penalty (see Leddy)?

Here's all that I know:

• hockey is fast right now, and getting faster
• when the NHL "openend up the ice" the running-type hits increased
• a lot of hockey people want this to be a part of the game
• charging only seems to be called if someone gets hurt

So, I got no answers.  If I were to take a stand, I would say that charging should be enforced.  I also know deep down inside that you are going to have a lot of pissed off coaches when penalties are called on hits like the one on Nick Leddy (especially when a broken jaw is a one in one hundred thing - hope you saw it...I can't find a picture or video on it anywhere...it was very, very similar to the Mike Richards hit).

(Ultimate Officials Ref Camp Members will get my 'real' thoughts on this, plus inside info - contact me to join the camp and get my inside scoop).

Pot Pouri - Mind Dump

1. He Ain't That Good --

I totally thought about the dichotomy (that's the condition of  being mutually exclusive) of hockey refereeing and how you are in a 'brotherhood' and yet you are in direct competition with each person.  I mean...how can I wish you well as my 'brother in arms', yet hope you fail so I can get bigger and better assignments.

I thought about this dichotomy when I read this [article].  Can you see any comparisons with reffing?

Here's an excerpt from that article:

"As players, we continually evaluate our teammates and our competition saying, “he’s not that good” under our breath and to each other because “I” need to be better than “him” to survive. Now, as a writer, all-too-often I find myself saying “he’s not that good” only to get responses from readers in stats, dimensions and potential.

I’ve never been a guy prone to negativity – “he’s not that good” is just fully burned into my competitive psyche. To be good, you learn to think you’re the best."

I, as a referee, really used to go through this all the time.  Entering my 22nd year of refereeing, having done pretty much everything I have wanted to do, and, thankfully now with no regrets, I don't look at guys like that anymore.  Well...not as much anymore.  I think it's human nautre to do so.

** Here's my advice to you -- as you do this mind-thought process on guys who are working levels higher than you, I caution you to also question:

• how many miles has this guy put on his car to get where he's at?
• how many more off-ice workouts has he done than me?
• how many times did he show up at an arena at 7 a.m., just to get better?
• how many more times has he totally busted ass to get to the goal line than me?
• (if he's at the end of his career, and obviously hasn't put in the effort like he did to get to where he is now), ask yourself 'what did he do to get there?'

Then you can have the best answer out there, BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF REFS I WORK WITH ALL WANT TO GO TO SOME HIGH LEVEL.  UNFORTUNATELY, THEY SEE HOW DAMN HARD IT IS TO GET THERE AND THEY DECIDE THE PRIZE IS NOT WORTH THE PRICE.  Oh well...

*********************************************************************************
When you watch a high level game on t.v. ( that would include Division I College Hockey and NHL), I will just say that you have no idea the B.S. that goes on behind the scenes, and all I have to say is the guys working those games are tough bastards.  Mentally, I mean.  You have to be mentally tough.  Real tough.  Are you tough?

*********************************************************************************
I read about a guy who is doing his 19th round of P90X.  I read that and say, "that's friggin' sweet!  I can do that, too!"  And, then I go out to prove it right.

You see, my skill level is "so-so".  Always has.  The difference is I'll kick your fanny.  You ain't going to out work me.  With the hesitation of sounding corny, the most accurate quote out there is:

"The only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary."

One of my most favorite "manly-but-you-can-still-cry" movie is "Pursuit of Happyness".  In the 'special features' of the DVD, Chris Gardner talks about how every day you have to bang the hammer at the anvil.  That's how you dig yourself out of the most desperate places to be a HUGE (I mean HUGE) success.

So...get of your ass and work, dammit!  And do it today, please.  The world needs more "roll up your sleeves" types.

******************************************************************************

Nov 1 to Jan 31 Referee Camp

To learn more about our 3 month referee camp that will REVOLUTIONIZE the hockey referee world, go to:

www.ultimateofficials.com

Check out the whole thing and then register here:

The Early Season Referee Camp

CLICK ON THIS BUTTON TO SUBSCRIBE

    A compare/contrast with Ultimate Officials Camp and a "Garden Variety" Referee Camp:

           The Other Guy*                                                     
Time:       1 Weekend or 6 Days Maximum                          


          Ultimate Officials
Time:         3 Months, during Your Hockey Season, when You are Working Hockey Games that Matter
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         The Other Guy                                                    

Games to Work: A Select Festival or Nothing                         


         Ultimate Officials
Games to Work:    Well...you are working the league you want to conquer, and get playoff/championship assignments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The Other Guy                                                    

Information Taught: Lots and In a Short Time, usually with no chance to improve                      


         Ultimate Officials
Information Taught: Well...the same info, BUT with time to work on and master, with LOTS of Feedback
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         The Other Guy

Instructors: Refs Who Have Been, Done That, but have little or NO teaching background.

        Ultimate Officials
Instructor: Teaching techniques from a Ref who has Been There, Done That & a Master's Degree in Teaching
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        The Other Guy
Curriculum: "One Size Fits All"

        Ultimate Officials
Curriculum: Specific to Your Needs and Goals (Ultimate Officials uses a 'one-of-a-kind' Individualized Referee Plan)**
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        The Other Guy
Feedback: A videotape of games, maybe an eval, and a short 'office hour' where you'll get generic feedback.

        Ultimate Officials
Feedback: All of the same feedback PLUS week by week breakdown with DETAILED & SPECIFIC feedback.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        The Other Guy
Cost: USA Hockey Camp = $80 plus travel
* California Referee School = $335 plus travel
CSHO School = $349 to $475 plus travel
Don Koharski's Camp = $325 plus hotel plus travel
Johnny Murray's Camp = $500 for 1 week/$900 for 2 wks


       Ultimate Officials
Cost: $50 per Month -Total of $150, plus you earn your own Game Fees
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Individualized Referee Plan is set up customary for you...your needs, your goals, your gameplan, your desire.

Fun Friday = Greatest Hits Ever - Any Tai Chi?

It was at about this time, in the fall of 1997, that I worked my first USHL game as a referee -- Twin Cities Vulcans vs. North Iowas Huskies at Bloomington Ice Gardens.  I was nervous as all get out.  My officiating career in the USHL up to that point had consisted of two seasons as a linesman -- the first year working two games (yep, a big two games) and the second season working my way all the way to the playoffs.  Of course, I 'cut my teeth' working the MJHL as a referee the previous season.   I had also refereed two pre-season USHL games in beautiful Hayward, WI, which included the Huskies and the Vulcans (and I totally blew a fight call in that game, which pissed off both coaches).

So, here I am, striping my first game.  Nervous.  Prepared. Ready.  I will honestly admit that the two coaches involved in the game scared me -- P.K. O'Handley for North Iowa and Jim Johanson for the Vulcans (a side note -- between the second and third period, in which the Huskies were down by 3 goals, I heard P.K. just BLAST his team with one of the greatest blue streaks of swearing ever -- I honestly thought they would come out and start a war in the third.  They actually rallied to win the game = phew!).

It was in that game that I think I had my greatest "check" ever.  I was so concerned about getting up and down the ice with all of my effort (that's a philosophy, folks...flying to the net/hustle/hard work), and a long pass to the far blue line was caught by Mike Possin of the Vulcans.  For whatever reason, rather than proceeding into the attacking zone, he doubled back with the puck, doing a 180 degree turnaround.

Well, I had a full head of steam and I just BLEW HIM UP.  I swear that it was like cartoons...we both went up into the air by a few feet and then flew back and we both landed on our backs.  And it was right in front of the North Iowa bench.  North Iowa absolutely LOVED IT!  All I did was look at the player and say, "What the hell are you doing?"

R.H. "Bob" Peters, Bemidji State

The question is, "What's your best check?"  Ever done a Tai Chi?  That's an R.H. Peters saying for when the checker gets pancaked by the puck carrier.  You know...when the checker gets checked?  I have had to do a few of those in my day, too.  It was like, "It's either you or me who's going down.  Guess what?  It's gonna be you!, " and I drop my shoulder to drop the player. 

Hopefully, your story does not lead to a goal or something screwy like that.  Here's a couple for you:


Goldy Gopher takes out ref (instead of mocking a player praying):

It Almost Makes You Want to

It almost makes you want to cheer and say, "These Finns are sweet!".  Actually, I like the music and the Finn accent.  Cool.  Real cool.  I love the tongue click by Selanne...



(Go, Mikko, you Wild captain, you, number one star last night). pssst...he's in the Nike Finn commercial...the dude with blonde hair and with ripped abs (yeah, I looked).  Does this next video have a #80 linesman from Minot, ND cruising around?:

Ode to More Tough Guys (esp. from MN!)

Gotta give some props to a northern MN boy (by way of other parts), Dustin Byfuglein:

This Will Mean More to MN Wild Fans

So...the Minnesota Wild are 1-4 and sucking some serious eggs early in the season.  I am not going to pull a "I told you so here", because that is not my point.  I am going to pull a "Jacques Lemaire (and even Risebrough) were smarter than you thought," and do my best effort to stickhandle that into refereeing...

First of all, the starters:

1. Lemaire quits last year, everybody hates the "trap", MN Wild play boring hockey.
2. BTW, the Wild missed the playoffs by 3 points, missing Gaborik for 65 games and Brent Burns for the last month.  Not bad when a team is out its best forward and best defenseman for a long stretch.
3. Still, the Wild fans can't stand Lemaire's boring hockey.  They like the Red Wings and Penguins hockey.
4. A new GM and Coach, who are going to do an "up tempo" play.
5. I say, "Big Whoopie," because the Wild has no talent.  They are all grit, hard work, ham and eggs, a bag of knuckles, bring in some jam, and "Attache le tuque".  Seriously...I went to one game last year where they played Thornton, Marleau, and the San Jose Sharks.  The Wild weren't that good.  But...effective.
6. The "up tempo" has the Wild sucking eggs. They aren't the Wings or Pens.
7. Here is a funny comment on Mike Russo's blog, which was dated September 11, 2009.  I will cut and paste it here...it is a 'spoof' of a Q/A that Russo had with Cliff Fletcher, the Wild GM:

Mister Know it all: The team last year was a healthy Marion Gaborik and Brent Burns away from winning the division.  Now that the team is healthy and have replaced Gaby for Havlat. How do you see your team finishing ?

Fletcher: Blank look on his face. Were changing to a more up beat style because that is how the Pens and Detroit win in the CURRENT nhl. This style of hockey will be very fun to watch.

Mister Know it all: On Russos Blog it has been determined that Winning is more important to fans then playing fun and exciting hockey if you lose doing it

Fletcher: We want to win playing up tempo hockey. We think in the end they will be more happy

Mister Know it all: The previous regime believed that the fans of Minnesota would best like a blue collar hardworking style of hockey that wins consistently year in and year out. They also believed it would be easier to achieve consistency in winning if a focus was put on a strong defensive type system that cut out unnecessary risk taking that clearly and SIMPLY defines every players defensive responsibilities on the ice.

Fletcher: Well Leopold is the owner now and he asked me to bring an up tempo style of hockey to Minnesota because all of the fans were complaining they were getting sick of watching boring hockey. I have success with the Pens with this system

Mister Know it all: How did the Pens get to being able to play the up tempo hockey with success

Fletcher: They finished last for a few years and they were able to land top players like Malkin and Crosby and others which made it easier to win playing the up tempo game

Mister Know it all: Do you think the fans of Minnesota have the patience to wait for the team to win doing your system

Fletcher: I don’t know, we will see

Mister Know it all: Lemaire said you would quickly stop the risk taking once you realize you dont have the scorers to play that way

Fletcher: That is Mr Richards department, ask him

Mister Know it all: Last year Minnesota missed the playoffs by 3 points playing without its top forward and dman all year basically. Simply put the team was destroyed by injuries.  Why did the team have success ?

2nd in the league goals against
2nd in the league on penalty kill
9th in the league on power play
Why they did not win more ?

The team was reliant on Gaby to win the close games it found themselves in. With Gaby out they were the worst 5 on 5 team in the league.  So is it reasonable to say that the fans can expect this team to be in the playoffs given these factors ?

(1) You have Havlat and we did not have Gaby last year
(2) Young players now have one more year of experience which should help Shep, Gillies, Pouliot, Clutterbuck, Cuma
(3)The team is healthy

Fletcher: Well, when you put it that way yes I would expect us to be in the playoffs.
It is quite simple Mister Know it all, We wont be 2nd in goals against this year. Plain and simply put
The trade off to get better in the spirit of the up tempo game is scoring more 5 on 5, Mister Know it all,
We think the ingredients we are looking for to get better is going from worst in the league 5 on 5 to the TOP 12 in the league.  Our GOAL for goals against is no worse then 10th in the league.  We don’t want to be any worse on the penalty kill and power play then the team was last year. We are ok with those stats.


Mister Know it all: Don’t you think its a stretch to say your team is going to go from the worst team 5 on 5 to being in the top 12, or the top 1/3 in the league 5 on 5 ? All you have essentially done is replace Gaby with Havlat for the offense- Yes the young guys will be better but it seems a stretch.

Fletcher: I am going to watch Tony Robbins and Zig Zigler and stay positive.

Mister Know it all: What about Modano as I have suggested numerous times.

Fletcher: Be patient Mister Know it all. He will be here in time. I agree with you that a motivated Modano could be our answer.

To be continued

This is soooo true....

**What does this have to do with referees?**

Confidence is a tricky thing for some guys.  Lemaire put a system forward that gave the Wild the greatest confidence they could have.  I am telling you, the Wild had NO BUSINESS being in the playoffs or in the playoff hunt last year with the talent they had.  The were (to quote R.H. "Bob" Peters), "Common people, doing common things, Uncommonly well."   I will take that any day, and that is what I look for in officials. 

• Do the common things, uncommonly well.
• Bring your pride, grit, and determination every game.
• Stick to a system that will best suit you.  Not everybody is going to be a referee like Kerry Fraser.
• Do the small things that build to small victories that lead to Big victories.
• Always know that you can work harder.
• Preparation + Having Balls (X2) = Good Luck
• Owen Nolan, Andrew Burnette, and Wes Walz can fight with me in a fox hole anytime.  Pattern your game after them, which includes HARD WORK off the ice, the correct mental mindset, and control what you can control (effort and attitude -- everything else is BEYOND your control).

It's going to be a long year for the MN Wild.  However, it will be a GREAT year for our SWAT Team of referees for Ultimate Officials.  Attache le tuque.