Zebra TV - Episode 1

Zebra TV - Episode 1 from J.B. Olson on Vimeo.

[Movember link]

Ryan Miller - Questions Will Become Answers

You know me (and if you totally don't yet), you know that I am a sucka (said in a somewhat high-pitched voice) for stuff like this:

Join the Fight - Join the Group

Don't wanna get "preachy" here, but the Zebra Foundation (started in 2007 to support cancer related causes) and the new Movember  initiative (see the link) is all about the following (not necessarily in this order):

• Joining a cause that all of hockey is supporting

• Joining a group that is all about brotherhood and camaraderie (www.uospecialorder.com)

• Making yourself better as a ref, a spouse, a quality person, etc.

• Making the hockey community better.

Watch the NHLOA "Zebra Cares" video (with Mike Leggo, Pierre Racicot, AND Ian Walsh and Jay Sharrers...two of my faves!):

Join UO for Movember

What's Movember?  Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a moustache-growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.

UO want you to join the fight: [Go to Registration and Donation Page HERE] 


The hockey community, from the NHL all the way down to peewee hockey, has always been very supportive of cancer awareness and fundraising.  It's time for the "Zebras" to get in on the fight, too.


Some NHL examples:

Rick Dipietro's Pink Pads for Oct Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Zebra Foundation supports the NHL Officials Association - Zebras Care Charity

Josh Harding Cancer Awareness Helmet

The Great One and Staff with Cancer Awareness ties

NHLOA Hustle for a Cure

Join the Fight - [Go to this link to Register & Donate]

Or you can just donate right now (and grow your 'stache in November):

Maybe you could look like these guys:

Bill McCreary

Don Van Massenhoven

Rob Schick

UOPU Hockey Game - Were You There?

Mario beats the North Stars like a rented mule...

Good times last night at Velocity Hockey Center in Eden Prairie, MN!

Final score was 18-17 in a see-saw battle. Dark team won (I even think history was made).

Game was a blast! Maybe a bit too competitive? (nah...). However, there is talk of bringing in a referee to ref these games (too much obstruction creeping into our game -- gotta open up the ice more). Nah...we are the keepers of the integrity of the game.

Conn Smythe UOPU October Version = game puck goes to the entire team

Dark Team White Team
Dana Penkivech Tony Lancette
Clayton Smith Joe Oberg
Steve Szczeck Nick Bradshaw
Ross Gibbs Brian Thul
Jamie Halverson Dan Kovarik
Andy Priley Brian Mach
Norm Gaskins Shane Paskey
Brad Albers Mike Trumble
Mike Diebold J.B. Olson
Aaron (G) Kevin Cassidy (G)

Goddam, I love this game! Next Game = Mon Nov 15 at 9:20 p.m.

33 Miners are Rescued - Who's in Your Foxhole?

33 miners.  69 days.  One thought = survival.

In case you've been stuck under a rock, been on vacation in the Northwoods elk hunting with absolutely no TV, no newspapers, or internet, there was an uplifting story of 33 Chilean miners trapped and 33 miners rescued, after 69 days stuck in a mine (you don't need to know every detail about this story, I certainly don't -- all you need to know that there were 33 guys...69 days...and one collective mind-set.)

Scene from the rescue.

This story does remind me of the movie, "Alive (youtube trailer)".  45 rugby players from Uruguay flew over the Andes mountains to Chile, crashed in the mountains, and 16 of them survived after 72 days.  So...they are stuck on a mountain, no sight of rescue, no food, and faced (forced) with the idea of eating the dead to survive.

You ever watch that movie?

I first saw "Alive" in 1993, and I was completely floored.  I also remember reading the book version in circa 1995 ( I actually read all 416 pages, cover to cover, in 3 days!  I liked it that much).  Whether it be the book or the movie about the "Miracle in the Andes," or today's Chilean "miracle" story, I just know this:


THOSE GUYS WERE TOUGH SONSOFABITCHES
(especially Nando Parrado, Ethan Hawke's character, I read that book, too = Miracle in the Andes)

It's tough to be tough nowadays.  Why?  Because you've got so many goddam softies out there to persuade you not to be tough:

-- everyone wants a "hand out" these days (Big business, Big Banks, Big Auto manufacturers)

-- everyone keeps telling me it's the 'entitlement society' that's graduating from our schools

-- we tend to live in a sports society were everybody wants a friggin' trophy just for playing

-- And, most embarassingly to me, there's a lot of hockey referees with their hands out, showing up to get paid for doing little (some of them should wear a ski mask...they're robbing the place), and wanting more.  These are the guys we have to deal with...these are the guys that members of UO have to deal with.  It's tough staying above the fray.

A ref at your local hockey rink? Maybe.

Well, I want to celebrate the hockey ref who's friggin' tough, and since it's October, we'll continue with our "no fear" mantra:

"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."

Domenic Zecca

"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 Glur

 

"I still would like to continue with your Mental Toughness camp, they area great reading and I really do relate to a lot of things you've said.The group is really great to me, I feel real inclusive.  I never felt like that with any other groups outside UO."

Josh Huston

These refs have all "dug into their foxholes", turned a blind eye and a deaf ear (no pun intended) to all the naysayers, ignored the 'good ol' boy network', and have chosen to do all the little things...100% of the time...when no one's  watching...for fear that I someone will either (a) pass them by, or (b) put a boot up their ass, or (c) lump them in with all the other lazy ass refs, doing little to collect a lot. 

My job in UO is to put a boot up a guy's ass, if needed.  Actually, truth be known, that those who belong to UO Referee Programs, they've put their butt on the line and decided to hold their peers accountable.  They know, "you're only as good as your last shift".  The UO machine runs itself in terms of high expectations and accountability...I just keep the wheels greased.

So, after all this talk about Chilean miners, Uruguayan's surviving plane crashes, and tough-ass refs working harder than the 'good ol' boy network', the question remains:

WHO ARE YOU JOINING IN YOUR FOX HOLE?

Who would you choose to be stuck with in a mine for 69 days, if faced with the choice?

Who would you want to be stranded in the Andes mountains with after a plane crash?

Who do you want pushing, motivating, and leading your hockey referee development?

HERE'S MY OFFER TO YOU

In no uncertain terms, we want you in our 'UO fox hole'* if (and only if):

a. You're wanting to be the BEST.  Second best won't do.  We cater to those who are ass-kickers, because there's no way in heck we want anybody with a timid nature with us in a plane crash in the Andes, unless, of course, you'd end up dead and we'd eat you to survive (just kidding!  I know...that was in bad taste...oops!  Did it again!).

b. You want a group to push you to lose some goddam weight (I think that's straight enough talk for what we offer: a program for you to LOSE SOME GODDAM WEIGHT!).

c. You're sick and tired of the 'good ol' boy' network. 
(OK, I'm not holding back here - my goal is to create some serious carnage with the "fat cats" and we will eat the dead!)

d. You believe in a cause/crusade - see how UO Fights Cancer & the Special Offer Month after Month.  Although you do need to hurry!  This offer ends on October 31st (we ain't got no 69 days to play this one out).

e. ALL OF THE ABOVE - If you're all in, I will be all in to help you reach all your goals and dreams - that's a guarantee [see guarantee here].

Having no fear, being iron-willed and tougher than nails as a referee will not only help you out in hockey...life...or work...it just might help if you're stuck in a mine or crash land on a mountain.  You click on the button below, get rid of your fears, and let's do it!

* Our "fox hole" is our UO MDM program - we offer FREE** videos, online training, weekly hockey and referee lessons, and a FREE copy of the SWAT Team Training Manual, the only referee-specific training online or anywhere. 

** You're probably ondering why I'm literally giving you a FREE $79 Membership and Materials.  It's because I've personally discovered what quality mentoring and advice is like, and I've also personally encountered numerous hockey refs who got little or none.  I know that there is 'insider information' out there and I have made it my lifetime mission to share these secrets with as many hockey refs as I can through my work with Ultimate Officials.

ATTENTION: UO is very Brett Favre-like

 If Brett Favre can show his "member", so can we...that could be scary.  Read on...

Good ol' Brett Favre - future Hall of Fame QB, Wrangler jeans guy, incessant waffling decision-maker, sexter...

Don't be so melodramatic, Brett

The guys is now (in)famous for (allegedly) showing his junk to a former NY Jets employee (what a dope he is).  Is that why he like the song, "Pants on the Ground" so much???

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Well, UO shows our "members" too!

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The only difference is that we're not afraid to do it.  In fact, we're blatant about it now -- pictures, videso, letters in the mail, email -- we're baring it all!  For a price (does that make it a 'peep show' if you have to pay to observe?), a portion of which goes to Hockey Fights Cancer, and you get Bigger and Better games:

"I just want to say thanks again for what you're doing for me and the others with UO.  I know I'm much further along as an official after joining UO for a year than the 6 years on my own beforehand.  Also, it's great that you're using this as a benefit for Hockey Fights Cancer."

Aaron Barlow, W. St. Paul, MN

I realize that Halloween is coming up, and it can be a spooky  time (Cameron Voss, one UO member, just called 244 PIM's in one game!), and there could be some common fears among hockey refs.  The fear of being caught in public with your pants on the ground psychologically for a ref is akin to blowing a call.  What I mean by that is something like blowin a call where a plyer breaks his neck (see info here).  That's what happened  to me.  Go click on that link to see why/how I lost may balls.

No More Losing My Balls

Scary?  Not.

I have no fear in trying to sell you this membership.  None whatsoever, because I believe in the effect for you and the goodness in what UO does.  If there's one thing I do like about Favre it's that he shows no fear on the football field (ever seen the guy play with no chin strap?).  Refereeing with a "No Fear" mentality is part of the package (pun intended) offered from UO.  It's all about channeling your nervousness and anxiety to perform at a higher level.

You know that broken neck incident?  That could've screwed me for the rest of my life.  Instead, I've used it to take my game to a whole new level.  

So...get over your fear of commitment (ain't no wishy-washy elite level refs out there).

Join our unit...

This ain't no junk...

Our membership is swelling...

Don't be a little weeney...

Don't shrink away!

** Those who join UO at our low $0.99 price (way cheaper than paying off a mistress or, heaven forbid, some divorce attorney ant settlement - you better get ready, Brett), and do so by Oct. 31, will get a FREE bag tag.

Perspective, Perseverance, and Performance

June 2007 I got the call from my physician...you've got cancer.  What?!?  The same thing my Mom died from almost 3 years prior?  What?!?  I am too young.  Oh shit...

Join UO for the Fight - Be a Member to Donate to Hockey Fights Cancer

        -----> go to www.uospecialoffer.com to Join the Fight <-----


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So, even though it's not quite as severe or quite as dramatic as Lance Armstrong (nor quite so drama filled, either).  There are some of the same emotions (youtube clip here).


For me, since 2007, I have had some complications that show up from time to time (stuff like infections, low white blood cells counts, etc.).  This past summer was a bit more of the same, meaning it was more...kind of scary more.  But, this ain't gonna be no sob story (my wife hates it when I talk like a hick :), and I am going to wear my heart on my sleeve.   This is going to be about the 3 P's mentioned in the title.

This Guy Wears His Emotions on His Sleeve

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PERSPECTIVE - It's time to get busy, folks.  Don't put anymore stuff off for tomorrow, like, "Oh, I will get in shape when I have the time." Ain't gonna be no time.  The time is now.  We are all dying, meaning we are all getting old and time is passing us up.


Quick perspective question: "When you are done with your life, what will you regret more?  Chances you took or the chances you didn't take?"

In my officiating career, I have had few regrets.  I chose my path to get to where I wanted to get, worked my tail off, and I have been blessed to do some pretty big games.

However, now I am going to combine two things I will fight for -

(1) The development of the hockey referee.  GOAL: To get 100 hockey refs to join our subscription list (which starts at $0.99 a month for two months, and then converts to $10 a month thereafter).

(2) The fight against cancer.  GOAL: Donate 10% of all UO proceeds to Hockey Fights Cancer.

There will be NO regrets in my hockey life from this day forward.   None.

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PERSEVERANCE - One of the first steps in obtaining any kind of success in life is to have a burning desire.  You need to have dogged determination, put on the blinders, and just 'go for it'.

I see a lot of hockey refs doing this day in and day out.  They get in their car, they drive obscene distances, they make sacrifices at home with family and with their jobs, and they show up at the rink at all hours of the day to work the greatest game in the world - ice hockey.

Joining Ultimate Officials will give you the opportunity to collaborate on a monthly basis with many other like-minded hockey refs.  These are the guys who want to "BE THE BEST".  They are hockey refs from the 'grassroots' levels all the way up to the pro levels.  To get an idea why a ref would join UO, read their words, not mine: Why You Should Join UO

My perseverance is to push for more members, more development, so more refs get Bigger and Better games.  The beauty is that more donations will be made through my Zebra Foundation (started in 2007) and more money to "Hockey Fights Cancer".

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PERFORMANCE - Do you have super-charged self motivation?  Or does your motivation waver from time to time, based upon your (a) mood, (b) schedule, (c) health, or (d) all of the above?

Do you think that you'd be MORE MOTIVATED to train, exercise, workout, get stronger, lose weight, cut fat if you belonged to a group?  I know you would.  Let's talk about "Social Aptitude":

"I don't care how much of an introvert or a loner you may be, or think you are, you can't reach high level success on your own.  You need to surround yourself with others who share your goals and commitment to them.  And the more spectacular your goals are, themore you need this support.  By definition, winners are people who pursue goals that most other people would consider to be impossible.  Recently a friend of mine joined a powerlifting club, where he quickly noticed that he was by far the weakes person in the gym, despite being fairly strong by any other standard.  Within a month my friend had added more than 100 pounds to his lifetime best squat! How? Well, he learned some technical pointers for sure, and he trained very hard, but essentially, he got stronger by osmosis.  In other words, just being in the presence of a lot of guys who were far stronger than he was, just out of pure intimidation and (probably) embarassment, he got a lot stronger very, very fast.

Whether it's a matter of finding a good training partner or joining a coaching group (i.e. Ultimate Officials), find people who share your goals and commitment.  This can be one of the most result-producing decisions you ever make."

Charles Haley, Muscle Media

Wow.  In a couple or paragraphs, Haley explains exactly what Ultimate Officials does to improve your officiating.  Guaranteed.
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You've Got Three Choices Right Now:

1.  Join Ultimate Officials and Start Getting Better as a Ref 

 (or you may even be 'entertained' by our newsletters)

---------> go to www.uospecialoffer.com <------------

2.  Decide, "I don't want to join, but I'll donate Right Now"

(click that button right below)

3. Do nothing. 
(ouch -- if that's your choice...I will just have to follow up with you - see 'perseverance')

Join UO for the Fight - Be a Member to Donate to Hockey Fights Cancer

The Brain of a Ref & Technology

Think like a Caped Crusader

Holy Mental Focus, Bat Man!

Twice in the last week I have seen stuff, online, about the mental side of hockey.  I would include the links here, but then you would leave this site and go look at them.  If you are a ref, I want you right here, because my message has importance for you.


Ultimate Officials Mental Tuffness Training (R) - (you can go check out this site :)

Training, development, off ice conditioning, and specialization are at a ALL TIME HIGH in the hockey world right now.  For crissakes, my 5 year old daughter has already been to a hockey camp, with on-ice and off-ice training (I attended my first hockey camp when I was a 2nd year Squirt), and soon she will probably want to join some 3 on 3 league.  It's never ending.  I think this is both good and bad (that's a debate for another time). 

Regardless, the choices a player has nowadays are never ending.  It's not just in hockey, either.  I personally know of programs in my area that are run by former professionals, who offer One on One Coaching for baseball, basketball, golf, and volleyball. 

So, I ask the question again -- "Where does leave the hockey referee?"

As evidenced by the link above, Ultimate Officials offers a Mental Tuffness program.  This is an online course for any official.  All things considered, the importance of knowing what goes on in the "6 inches between your ears" is getting it's deserved due.  After all, when you get to a certain point in your career - as a player or as a ref - the physical skill sets are all similar.  What truly separates the "good from the great" is how you think.

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Huh???

The brain is a computer, but my computer is not a brain.

Here's my situation - my desktop PC is coming up on four years old.  That means that it is starting to (a) get outdated, (b) starting to get a bit 'slow', and (c) currently pissing me off.

For my Minnesota Development Model Camp, I churn and burn a lot of video on my PC.  It's a method to better instruct and help hockey referees.  I ain't no computer dummy (even though I sound like a 'hick from the sticks'), and I know enough to perform what I need to perform.

My PC ain't performing.  That just means that I have been spending the last week cleaning up my computer in order to get the damn thing running smooth again.

Kind of like me.

I am not 22 years old anymore.  I have to kick my ass in gear each and every week to stay sharp physically, to keep the fat from piling up on my mid-section, and keep my "wheels" moving.  I post my accountability on my facebook account (see my stuff on the right hand side).  I am doing pretty damn good, but complications from getting cancer 3 years ago continue to try and slow me down.  No more.

How about you?  You keeping yourself running smooth?  Whether you are 22 or 62, we can get you going with referee-specific workouts.  Check out the stuff on the right hand side, too.

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Here are the two sites I have seen in the past week:
1. USA Hockey - The Hockey IntelliGym - http://www.usahockeyintelligym.com/
2. The Minnesota Advancement Program - this is totally identical to what UO does for refs - http://www.maphockey.net/

A New NHL Season Begins

Atta boy, Clutter.

As I type this, there is approximately 45 minutes until the puck drops in Helsinki, Finland between the Minnesota Wild and the Carolina Hurricanes.  I love a new season in the NHL, with all the hope and promise for playoff glory (OK...I realize that most "experts" have the Wild picked to finish 14th in the 15 team Western Conference...there's still hope).

I also love watching referees work NHL games.  Yep...you might be like me...but I spend the majority of my time watching the Zebras, seeing how they react to situations. 

Brad Watson

I watch refs to see how they are communicating.

I watch refs to see how they skate.

I watch refs to see their body language.

I watch refs to see how they drop a puck, signal a goal, signal a penalty, work the goal line, work the blue line, and skate on an icing.  I watch it all and DO IT SO I CAN LEARN.

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I am also amazed at the people who bitch and complain about officiating.  I am a huge fan of Justin Bourne's Blog, and he had this to say about officiating:

So here’s what I’ve discovered about myself from really being immersed in the NHL with other fans: nothing makes me lose more respect for one of them than ref blaming.  It’s by no means just in hockey, but I’m BOGGLED by how many people actually think their team got the raw end of the deal every night.  I don’t just mean Canucks and Red Wings fans either.  I mean there’s this CRAZY percentage of people who regularly blame losses on bad reffing.

My question is, if NO ONE in the world can do it well (in those people’s opinion), how hard must that job be?  Making split-second subjective calls that are subject to the scrutiny of millions of people with instant replay and slo-mo?  No sir, I don’t like hearing that crap. Can’t respect ref-blamers.

Well said, sir.  Spot on.

Do you have a funny story about an idiot fan (kind of like the two dads I saw at a girls HS game who were going to fight because one owed the other one money?).

Good message, but not intended to be a political message

OK...let's drop the puck already!

How's Your Charisma?

On Wednesday October 6, 2010 the post-season for my MN Twins starts (please don't exit the playoffs after the first round, like you usually do...OK, guys?).  The boys are on the verge of maybe their best post-season since 1991?  That's amazing, considering that Justin Morneau (born in Canada and former hockey player) has been out with post concussion syndrome since July.

One reason the Twinkies have done so well?  Jim Thome.

This is a great view of Target Field

In last weeks SI (and, yes, the Sports Illustrated jinx does exist, because the Twins have been getting HAMMERED lately), Jim Thome was the story.  [See link here].

Here's the classic line in the story:

Jim Thomestands in the underground batting cage deep inside Minnesota's Target Field, and he swings the bat very slowly, and it looks as if he is underwater. People would call what he's doing visualization, but Thome has little use for big words when it comes to hitting. "I don't really like filling my brain with a lot of stuff," he will say. He's just, you know, getting loose for his next at bat, thinking about hitting a baseball really hard. That's his job—his only job these days as the Twins' designated hitter. The man doesn't even have a glove in his locker.

"How's your charisma?" a teammate, pitcher Kevin Slowey, asks him. It's the seventh inning outside, it's August warm, the Twins and the White Sox are playing a huge game in the American League Central, and it is close.

With this, Thome breaks away from his hit-the-ball-hard thinking, grins his big grin and shouts, "Charisma's good! Charisma's real good! Something special going to happen! Going to do something special tonight!"

This is the answer Thome always gives.

"You going to hit your 900th home run tonight?" another teammate, reliever Glen Perkins, asks.

"Maybe," Thome says, and the grin gets wider. "Anything's possible."

Read more:http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1174607/index.htm#ixzz1180PrtpF

How's your charisma?  How's your mojo?  How's your moxie?

To be an elite level ref, you need to have that "stuff".  It all comes from a belief and attitude.  These are the exact same things we cover in the Mental Tuffness Training (R).  

There are 13 Steps to Championship Success.  If you join Ultimate Officials, or the Minnesota Development Model, you will learn all of these steps in detail.  Nobody else is teaching this stuff.  I am.

And...if you're wondering...my charisma is good!

email for more info: info@ultimateofficials.com