Some Stuff

That's Teamwork

Dan Marouelli's Hockey Officiating Insight

Good ol' Dan Marouelli hasn't been on CBC lately.  That sucks.  Oh well, here is Dan's final NHL game:

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=0&id=65713


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"The Only Easy Day was Yesterday"


Since NHL hockey has been pretty quiet on the Tube lately, I have been watching "The Military Channel" a lot and I have been really into the "Navy SEAL's" stuff.  You know...killing Bin Laden and all.

In fact, my latest newsletter for Ultimate Officials has direct tie-ins with SEALs and even some football stuff.

Click here to start getting UO newsletters: UO Online Camps (only $0.25 for 1st Month)

http://youtu.be/3DeSyl1CGIQ


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The "King of Almost"

I have also been "dialed in" to "The Voice" on NBC.  My latest newsletter also has a bit on perseverance and chasing your goals, with a tie-in to Tim Mahoney and "The Voice".  Tim Mahoney, raised in Minnetonka, MN and Tonka H.S. Alum, (I just saw this guy perform on May 7th at a fundraiser event for my daughter's Minnetonka elementary school) was on the show last week (got eliminated).  Think he is going to give up?  How easy do you give up?

http://youtu.be/-KMKP18En6I


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UO Online Camps: http://ultimateofficials.com/online-referee-camps.html

Summer Camp Updates

UO Has Got the BOOM!

A shout out goes the following boys for the Summer of 2011:

Minnkota Camp Acceptance:

Joel Omundson

Tim Ferrel

Zach Nelson

Robert Beckl

USA Hockey Regional Camp Acceptance:

Aaron Barlow

Jake Brenk

Ryan Szymanski

USA Hcokey National Camp Acceptance:

Nick Bradshaw

Ultimate Officials Spring Treadmill Camp:

Aaron Barlow

Clayton Smith

Nick Bradshaw

Norm Gaskins

Jake Brenk

Neil Missling

Kevin Cassidy

Tim Ferrel

Paul Gallmeier

Zach Nelson

Cameron Voss

What are you doing this summer?  www.UltimateOfficials.com

This summer proves to be better than the last one!

UO Summer 2010 from J.B. Olson on Vimeo.

"Get to The Net," says Dan

Get to the Net - See the Puck

May 9 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/1237534952/ID=1916564998

Notes:
1. Steve Kozari getting in position to make a crucial goal call.  Props!

2. OUCH - Dan goes after Walkom one more time, in regards to embellishment.

Diving  - NOT in Hockey, Boys!

Marouelli talks Caricllo and then Diving

That's water, not ice!

May 6 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Hockey_Night_Online/1350044207/ID=1912839308

Notes:
1. Everybody's favorite, Daniel Carcillo, out there cross checking guys in the back.

2. Zdeno Chara does some "playground justice", and Brian Murphy #93, US Linesman, puts his muscle into Chara.

3. Dan goes to task on my boy, Stephen Walkom, for letting Scott Hartnell go without a penalty.

4. Grapes has some words about "garbage" and "Oh Yeah!":
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC's_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Coach's_Corner/1239402029/ID=1911222930

May 7 Embellishment Link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Hockey_Night_Online/1350044207/ID=1913854704

Notes:
1. No diving in hockey boys.

2. Which came first?: The hook or the "chicken wing".

3. Tunnel vision and sight lines.  You gotta "work the puck".

From the IIHF Worlds

Just posting these videos because: (A) they show the "one-man wrecking crew of  Evgeny Artyukhin, and (B) the game was refereed by Minnesota boy, Tom Sterns (he even has his name pronounced in Slovakian - "Toh-mass Sterns".

 

Good ol' Evgeny wasn't done after that previous series either! Like I said, "one-man wrecking crew":

(Sternsie gives the signal "hit him with the shoulder"). Arty got 4 PIMs in game for Interference:

CTE for Linesmen?

Tough Day at the Office?

Stick tap goes out to Adam Shadiow for sharing this (www.twitter.com/shadiow).

"#75 Derek Amell takes a wicked bad digger after Setoguchi slew foots Bertuzzi right under his legs.  Amell absolutely gets destroyed.  Bounces his head off the ice, then gets up like its nothing."

Whats' CTE?: Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine studies Chrinice Traumatic Encephalopathy:

Ever bounce your melon off the ice?  Maybe got concussed?  Not to be a downer, but more and more stuff has been coming out on how taken many shots to the head causes Alzheimer's type symptoms in ex-athletes.  

All I know is that the situation NHL Linesman, Derek Amell, was caught up in has been a spot that most, if not all, hockey officials have been caught in, including me.  You brace yourself...you say a quick "Hail Mary"...and hope for the best.  

Overall: ouch! (even if you don't admit it publicly).

Foot note: Dave Duerson's Suicide may have been a result of CTE

Link: http://www.bu.edu/cste/2011/05/03/nfl-player-dave-duerson-suffered-from-advanced-cte/

Dan talks Choppping Wood (Composite)

Marouelli talks about Chopping an Opponent

May 5 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Hockey_Night_Online/1350044207/ID=1911369847

Notes:
1. The "10 second Rule" (errr...the 8 second rule) at the end of periods.  The saying goes, "Great linesmen can make a referee better.  No matter how good a referee is, he can NOT make the linesmen better." See this in principle in the first part of the interview.

2. It's the Action of the Slash - The guy "chokes" up to make the slash.  That's the action that is penalized.  Stick presses, taps, chops are not (usually) where there is no "cocking" of the stick.

Kudos to the team!

Walkom Mic'd Up for Game 4

One of my favorite NHL refs

Stephen Walkom gets mic'd up for Game 4 of Washington vs. Tampa Bay.  Great communication sound bites in there for officials to learn and use:
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=40&id=113237


Stick tap to Chris Fair for sharing this one.

HNIC: Marouelli Gives Props!

Dan Marouelli - 25 Year NHL Referee Interview

May 4 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/1237534952/ID=1909513323

Notes:

A. "Sight Lines" - they analyze the big hit that Niklas Kronwall put on Danny Heatley.  It's all about position and angles, Boys!

Here Comes the "Boom"!

2. Dan talks about "Hockey Skills" - Sounds kind of familiar (see here).

3. Super "props" goes out to the boys in stripes.  Great night of hockey (unless you are a Washington Capitals fan...oof!)

What People Are Saying

That's the best Commandeered Picture I could Find

I just "commandeered" these posts from Facebook.  It's a testimonial for the "Ultimate Officials Online Referee Camps" [click here] as well as our "Hockey Skills Camps" [click here].

DZ: U.O. - How's it going? How was instructor camp?? I hear you "brought it" Nice Job!!


CF: Hey DZ... camp was awesome.. lots of fun! J.B. is a fantastic ice instructor!


DZ: Indeed he is....exudes "teaching" and great personality as well.


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TF: Treadmill training day 1 complete. I need to get in shape quick...


JH: Its okay TF, round is a shape; just not the best one for officials! I'm looking forward to the second round of Etrain.


AM: What's the occasion? Going to minnkota?


TF: AM-Yes going to Minnkota, and also just want to get better.


TF: Im not round haha, just not fit. This is my first time doing it and last night was intense!!


JH: That is why I am getting fit for the later sessions.


TF: I figured it would be good for the summer and for camp


JH: You'll be a rockstar at camp after the treadmill!


http://vimeo.com/15246014

Fall Off Ice Camp 2010 from J.B. Olson on Vimeo.



http://vimeo.com/14619903

UO Summer 2010 from J.B. Olson on Vimeo.

Maybe this one is more appropriate? (LOL)

More Dan Marouelli

Dan Goes for a Run with the Boys

May 3 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/1237534952/ID=1908452300

Notes:

Penalty Shot Criterea:

1. Infraction occurs past attacker's own blue line.

2. Possession and control of the puck/no opponent to pass other than the goalie

3. Foul committed from behind.

4. Denied a reasonable scoring opportunity.

Ovechkin complains...

Ref calls a hook, no penalty shot

Dan says, "Yes" it should have been a penalty shot.

I say, "Ooof...I am all in favor of calling penalty shots, but I agree with the on ice call."

Comments?

Side note: One of my mentors called a hook on a semi-break, and the coach went off on him, because he wanted a penalty shot.  My mentor told him, "If you can explain the four criteria for a penalty shot, I will call it.  Otherwise, if you want to keep complaining, I will call a bench minor on you!"

Loved it!

Just Because I Love These Guys

Time for some senseless humor and a game of H-O-R-S-E:
http://youtu.be/cfP56XlcVYg




The Best Sports Pick Up Lines:
http://youtu.be/TDHF41XU1Iw

Dan Marourelli Interviews (lots of them)

Dan Marouelli - 25 Years NHL Referee

Attention Hockey Referees out there: Dan Marouelli, former great NHL Referee, has been doing interviews on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.  The guy gives great insight to thoughts on officiating in the playoffs.

I am a bit behind here, but I will post the interviews and thoughts for the Stanley Cup playoffs from Marouelli from here on out through the finals.

Here are a series of links and my notes (p.s. I highly encourage you to watch them all, but if you do, you will be sick of seeing the Chevy ads before each and every one :)


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May 1 link: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/1237534952/ID=1905451581

Notes:
Communication note: Refs who don't talk to the bench, in this case about "snowing goaltenders", you've got to have a discussion with the bench.  Great commentary.

Sticks and gloves: Refs have got to be "zoned in" on the sticks and gloves of the players.

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April 30 link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/Hockey/1249236098/ID=1904706196

Notes:
Color Check: This is a term I use to make sure you are watching ANYWHERE on the ice where there are opposite colored jersey's together (in this case, Orange and White).  It is "forced awareness" to see subtle slashes and other infractions.
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April 28 link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/1237534952/ID=1902456661

Notes:
Keith Ballard "clipping": I reffed this guy starting when he was a Squirt.  Great player, who just goes too low on a hit.


Playoff Round Selections: A bit of description (including a list of referees for the 2nd Round) on selections for each round.
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April 26 link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Hockey_Night_Online/1350044207/ID=1899366578

Notes:
"At Net Skills": Dan talks about quick whistles and the necessity of driving to the net.  This one is a tough one to swallow for the ref.  Do you hang back or drive the net? "At the end of the day, you gotta go where the puck is."


Hit to the head (Lucic on Spacek): Notice the talk about positioning (see my video: Work the Puck)
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April 23 link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Hockey_Night_Online/1350044207/ID=1895494016

Notes:
Goal Line Positioning: Brad Meier is "Johnny on the Spot" (even got complimented by Don Cherry!)
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April 21 link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/Top_Stories/1237510081/ID=1893383544

Notes:
PLAYOFF HOCKEY STANDARD: This is a great discussion (with video example) on how to properly call a playoff game.  GREAT DISCUSSION.
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April 20 link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/Hockey/1249236098/ID=1891881376

Notes:
Goaltender Interference/Accidental Interference: Positioning on the play, watching the players take advantage of a shove to take out/interfere with the goalie. ANOTHER GREAT DISCUSSION.

The Ref Didn't Throw the Elbow: This continues to be a great interview, talking about the Mike Richards elbow, called by Francis St. Laurent.
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April 16 link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/CBC%27s_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/Hockey_Night_Online/1350044207/ID=1885605314

Notes:
Communication Between Ref and Players: Dan talks about talking to players, and why/when to talk to the players. Clips showing Brad Meier, Paul Devorski, and Steve Kozari.
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It's a Great Day for Hockey (and the USA and the World)

BIN LADEN IS DEAD

A video and an audio clip that are so appropriate for this moment in history:



An audio clip from the "Common Man Progrum" on KFAN in Minneapolis/St. Paul:

It is an opening song of  "Lovely Day" sprinkled with sound bites from sports/movie quotes, including some lyrics from Dan "the Common Man" Cole:

"Bin Laden's Dead...Bin Laden's Dead...shot him in the head...he's pumped full of lead...permanently put to bed...Now he has: NO MORE STREET CRED!"

(just listen to the first 4:30)
http://www.kfan.com/cc-common/podcast/single_page.html?podcast=KFAN_Common&selected_podcast=COMMON_5-2-11_HR1.mp3


p.s. I love listening to the Common Man show.

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HOW 9/11 REALLY HIT HOME FOR ME
I have posted a number of times about this, and I will repeat everything here:

Personal side note: In August 2001, I went to Lake Placid, NY to attend the Elite Officiating Experience. This was the week that Team USA picks their World Jr. Team, and I was working the games that week. Well, it was one of the first night's, and I had it off, so I was watching USA play Finland (other side note -- Mikko Koivu was Finland's captain), and while I was watching the game I had the pleasure of sitting next to Mark Bavis.

Mark was the amateur scout for the L.A. Kings. I had met Mark a few years earlier in St. Cloud at the National Select 15 Festival. Brian Thul and I shared a couple of beers at D.B. Searle's, downtown St. Cloud after a game. He was coaching the Massachusetts team at the Select 15 Festival. I had also seen him on the bench with Boston University at a tournament in Duluth, when they were playing University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Mark and I chatted during the whole game at the Elite Experience in Lake Placid, NY. He was there to see David Steckel, who was a King draftee, whom Mark had scouted. 

One month later Mark died in 9/11. Now that REALLY hit home for me, knowing that I knew someone personally on one of those planes. Gulp.