HBO's 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic Begins Tonight

http://ultimateofficials.blogspot.com/2011/12/hbos-247-road-to-winter-classic-begins.html

Jan 2nd, Philadelphia v New York

Watching HBO's Road to the Winter Classic last year was easily one of the best hockey documentaries I have ever seen.  Ever.  I checked the stuff out on youtube, because I don't subscribe to HBO.  You should check it out on youtube as well, but you gotta do it quick before HBO takes it down.  

Here is the preview to this year's show.  Once again, easily the best produced hockey documentary you could ever watch:

Preview to 24/7 Flyers/Rangers: Road to NHL Winter Classic '11

We All Could Learn A Lot From Mr. Burke

http://ultimateofficials.blogspot.com/2011/12/we-all-could-learn-lot-from-mr-burke.html

Brian Burke - Toronto Maple Leafs GM
Class of Edina, MN HS 1973

You got twenty two minutes of your time to spare to listen to a very open, 

very candid interview with Brian Burke?  

Watch the video in the link for theScore.com blog

Topics covered include: 

• wanting to punch players in the head when they complain about ice time
• picking a barn yard fight with Kevin Lowe
• his take on gay rights and homophobic slurs

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2011/12/12/the-full-brian-burke-interview-beyond-the-barn-fight/

The section where he talks about using homophobic slurs reminds me of a section from one of the newsletters I provide on a frequent basis for all Ultimate Officials subscribing members, where I talked about Gareth Thomas, the only openly male gay professional team sport athlete.  Here is part of what I wrote:

Gareth Thomas, Pro Rugby Player

On a side note to this story: You really should go read that SI story that is linked.  I will openly admit that I was a bit of a homophobe.  I would use the term, “faggot” all the time to describe somebody who I thought was weak or feminine.  I also thought that whenever I heard people say, “I was born gay,” would just be a bunch of B.S.  After reading this story, if a guy from Welsh, who plays pro rugby, and is anything BUT feminine...well....I guess you can be born gay.  My tolerance level just went way up.  After all, the Stanley Cup took a ride in a gay pride parade in Chicago this past year, so even Lord Stanley’s trophy has some tolerance.  I guess I will just call soft and weak people “pussies” from now on.  No offense to women, of course (hell, my wife played college rugby...the woman was a hooker!).

Also reminds me a lot from a blog post that I made after the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, following the Gold Medal Game in which Canada beat the United States in OT:

Concussions & Head Injuries for Hockey Officials

http://ultimateofficials.blogspot.com/2011/11/concussions-head-injuries-for-hockey.html

Pat Dapuzzo, former NHL Linesman, now an NHL Scout

This story is not for the faint of heart.  The video makes me "queasy" every time I watch it.

Here is the article from the NY Times about Pat Dapuzzo and the effects of head injuries he has received in his almost 2,000 games NHL career: NY Times Article

Excerpt from "Recovery Doesn’t Stop After Injuries Heal":

"After working four straight conference finals from 1991 to 1994, Dapuzzo missed the next season to be treated for depression. He returned for the 1995-96 season wearing a helmet for the first time, but he never worked a playoff game again."

 Here is the video of the incident:

Examples of Good Body Checks

The Big Boys are Leading the Way with Player Safety Education

Don't know if you have seen this video segment put out by the NHL and Brendan Shannahan, but these are all good examples of body checks, body contact, angling, and good, clean, hard checks.

Take note in the first examples, that even though the attacking checker did NOT blow up a guy from behind, he was still effective in separating the man from the puck (as opposed to separating the man from consciousness).

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


****************
"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


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


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

"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!

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!)

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!

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 :)


*********************************************************************************
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.

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

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.
*********************************************************************************

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.
*********************************************************************************

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)
*********************************************************************************

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!)
*********************************************************************************

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.
*********************************************************************************

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.
*********************************************************************************

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.
*********************************************************************************

What is a "Dirty" Hit These Days?

"What's the Buzz All About?"

Head contact...

Concussions...

Targeting the head...

Hitting from Behind...

Charging?....

All buzz words these days in hockey circles. I can't turn on Versus, the VS "Overtime" Show, NHL "On the Fly", nor NHL Radio on XM/Sirius without hearing them talk on and on and on about the aforementioned buzz words.

Before we even get on and on and on about the buzz, I have a video and a link for you and a recent NHL playoff article for you:


Zebra TV - Episode 3 from J.B. Olson on Vimeo.
Link referenced in the above video: http://youtu.be/m55RtBUyKcA

RECENT BOURNE ARTICLE LINK: http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/columns/when-clean-hits-look-dirty
(psst...I love the writing of Justin Bourne, former NCAA - Alaska-Anchorage - and Minor Pro Player)

RECENT NHL PLAYOFF STUFF:






*******************
A few things I would like to say, as an ex-player first, and then, as a hockey referee second:

1. I played to hurt guys. Not injure them, but hurt them. What's the difference? The difference is (a) making a guy think twice about tangling in the corner with me again, and (b) I want that guy to feel the "sting" NOT (I repeat *NOT*) to put him in the hospital.

Hockey is a great sport because it can be beautiful, artistic, and at the same time BARBARIC. Me...I liked the BARBARIC side of the sport as much as any.

2. I think a lot of the increase in injuries is because we don't call CHARGING enough.

There are a number of reasons we don't call charging enough...like, does the guy go 100 mph and then set his feet prior to the hit, thus, negating the "taking two or more strides thing?

How about the fact that most times a ref calls charging everybody in the building screams "INJUSTICE!"?(well...half of the people involved).

How about the fact that players are stronger, bigger, and a whole lot faster than before, and no one seems to like the notion of cutting down on speed? Let's face it, there are some big dudes out there moving full tilt.

How about the fact that some of these things happen because everyone is moving full tilt and it is really hard to make an adjustment when we are taking "miliseconds". All guys have on their mind is "finish the hit". All guys are coached to do is to "finish the hit". When you have that demand running through your brain, and the guy you are checking suddenly turns or ducks...well...it's damn hard to stop your momentum.

*********************
What's the answer? I don't have one. I just know that some of the things I have mentioned here are facts that are tough to disprove. Real tough.


(note: hitting from behind is not tough...it is gutless, but look at the Johan Franzen video in the "Bourne Article" and tell me whether Shane Doan was being gutless or not. I say "not" because...well...he was moving FAST!)

Why I love the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Gotta love Ray Bourque

The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today, and as a referee, I am excited as can be (I might be a little bit more pumped if the MN Wild were in, because (a) the Minneapolis Star Tribune would pay A LOT more attention to the great hockey action, and (b) there would be a lot more refs in this area excited, like I am excited).

Why I am pumped for each year of the Playoffs:

* As a T.V. viewer, I get to watch the best and the brightest work a game, under the most pressure, with the most intensity, that our hockey world would ever get to see.

Here's a link to who's working: http://nhlofficials.com/display_news.asp?articleID=531

(20 referees and 20 linesmen)

A shout out to the USA guys:

REFS - Dennis Larue, Brian Pochmara, Chris Rooney, Ian Walsh

LINES - Brian Murphy, Tim Nowak, Tony Sericolo

* The playoffs tend to "highlight" or put a "spotlight" on rule changes and drive philosophy for the upcoming season (see: headshots, too many men penalties, standard on obstruction, video replay, etc).

* Learning vicariously through others - a couple of years ago I asked a group of trainees in the Ultimate Officials Program to do some "homework" on the game officials and tell me what you learned. 

The reported findings included things like: 

"I watched how the referees communicated with the players and the coaches"*

"I was amazed how good these guys are at getting out of the way of traffic, yet being able to stay in position"*

"The linesmen are just FLYING to the net on stoppages."

"I am amazed at how on top of the net the refs are on close calls."*

 * This year, the Ultimate Officials Program has a "Pick em Challenge".  This is a friendly betting game that is done between hockey referees to foster a new sense of interest in the games.  We are putting "Bragging Rights" on the line to see who can predict the winners and be crowned the next Karnac.*

Did You Know that the Best Referees can be like "Karnac"?

(Note: I picked Boston over Vancouver to win the cup)

* With there being plenty of hockey action to blog about, I going all in with my commentary.  You can check for regular blog updates, including video examples (which have proven to help train and develop referees through my Ultimate Officials Programs.  Yes, there is proof.), and I will be tweeting all about the action as well.

I have been sporadic with posts on this site since the first of the year (really since we had our Movember initiative and raised over $2000 for the NHLOA's Zebra Cares Charity).  I am back and I want you back, too.

My promise: educate, first and foremost, and to entertain.  

Check out my twitter acount: Follow me here

___________________________________________________________________

* = As of this writing, I will be either running or involved in ELEVEN referee camps this off season.  The off season is the time to really develop for the next year.  A lot of guys don't quite get that, because once you are in a season you are really "set" wherever you are in the "pecking order" because of what you did previously.  There ain't a lot of upward mobility during the season.  The hockey season is NOT the time to develop...the off season is the time to develop.

I am running 9 different off season camps, focusing on either Treadmill Training or "The 2-1 System Hockey Skills Camps".

Treadmill training = the best way to improve skating and break old habits.

"2-1 System Hockey Skills Camps" = the best way to improve "skills" (not necessarily perfect the 2-1 system) and get quality reps on ice to prepare for the next winter season.

Ask me about the seven different "Skills Camps" I am running this Spring/Summer/Fall for hockey officials in the Twin Cities, MN area - info@ultimateofficials.com

This is Pure Poetry

If this doesn't get you emotional, I give up on you...



As a young boy in 1981, I remember Dino as a rookie for the North Stars run to the Stanley Cup...this is another good video on passion: [HOF Weekend Interview]

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:

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.

***********

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!

Here's a Sick, Sick Move

It's mid-July, and, yes, I have found some hockey action that is worth watching.  This move was from the MN Wild's Development Camp this past weekend (July 17 and 18, 2010).  BTW, for you local Minnesota boys out there, the referees were Tom Sterns (multiple IIHF World Championships & WCHA Ref) and Brian Thul (5 yr. ECHL ref & WCHA ref).  Check out scrimmage highlights: CLICK HERE

This move is GREAT!:

I Love This Stuff!

No Words - Another Dang Good Commercial

May 18th Coach's Corner

I haven't been bloggin lately (too much going on...Mental Tuffness Training (R), complete with newsletters...3rd Annual Stanley Cup Playoffs Data Study ("You mean you actually TiVo the Stanley Cup Playoffs, get out a legal pad, some pencils, lots of coffee, and analyze every thing the officials are doing, so you, in turn, can share this information with other hockey referees to make them better?  Holy Shinto!"), so I had to share a little bit of Don Cherry (goddam, I love guys who wear their hearts on their sleeve) for the faithful.

p.s. I only study the Conference Finals and the Finals.  I love it. I may be wacked out, but I absolutely love it!