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:

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.

Koivu, Kovalchuk, and Mauer

Mikko Koivu

Signs the largest contract in history for my boys, the MN Wild (it's not that I have a MN Wild tatoo on my chest or anything.  It's not like I have a deep, deep loyalty to a team that has been around for...well...10 years (only 9 seasons if you don't count the lock out year, and I don't) -- it's just that they are an NHL team in my back yard, which all the news is about, and I get to watch all of their games on the tube.  So, I guess, they are my boys ( but not like the Vikings are *MY BOYS!*).

Anyway, back to Koivu.  That guy is one tuff sonofabitch.  I love the way he plays.  He plays all 200 X 85 feet of the rink, never takes a night off, is a workout fiend, and definitely earns the "C" he wears on his jersey.

So, with his 7 years $47 million contract extension...I say, "Good on him."

SIDE HOCKEY REFEREE NOTE: Watch Koivu play a game in person if you can.  He "chirps" at the refs all the time and has drawn a few 10 Min. MISC.  

SIDE HOCKEY REFEREE PERSONAL NOTE: When I went to the USA Hockey Elite Officiating Experience, which is a tryout to get an IIHF license, it was 2001.  This is at Lake Placid, NY and it is the U20 World Junior Camp for the USA.  Each year USAH invites European teams to come over and play a series of games with the two USA teams.  In 2001, it was Finland who was there and their captain was the MN Wild's first round draft pick, Mikko Koivu.  One of the games I was working turned into a swordfight.  The referee was Jonathan Morrison, who knew, like, two Finnish phrases, one of which was "eff you".  Johnny Mo-town tells us it is "Hi-stoo Vee-too".  So...during one of the "melee's" Motown is at the referee's crease, dividing up the penalties, and Koivu is there.  Mikko hears that Finland is going to be short-handed in this situation and he mutters something.  Motown flips on him, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!?  I KNOW HOW TO SAY F**K YOU IN FINNISH! WHAT DID YOU SAY?!?"  Koivu responds, "I said 'Hi-stoo'...you know... like, "Fuck-in-eh".  Motown said, "OK! I thought you said Eff You!"

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(have you ever noticed I use parentheses a lot?  I even used a parenthesis inside another one earlier in this blog = (wow)).

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Ilya Kovulchuk

Ever notice that he wears the number 17 for the Thrashers...I mean, the Kings...I mean...oh yeah...he was supposed to make a decision right after the 4th of July, wasn't he?

Anyway, he wears the number 17 to honor Valeri Kharlamov.  Go check him out...another warrior.

Ever notice that Geno Malkin wears 71 for the Penguins?  Once again, Kharlamov.

Ever notice that Kovulchuk wears 71 for Team Russia?  Nobody can wear 17 for the "Reds"...it's retired.

** SIDE NOTE: Kharlamov and one other Soviet are the *ONLY* two players inducted to the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame, who have never played in the NHL.  Who is the other player?

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Have you ever noticed that I like...to use...the "three dots" a lot?  Useless trivia = the three dots are called "Ellipsis".

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Joe Mauer

The guy is batting .298 one game after the All Star game.  The guy was just given the largest contract in MN Twins history - $184 million.  

The dude looks like he gets beaten like a rented mule.  What's going on Joe?  New Target Field not all it's cracked up to be?  Dude, you have got 4 home runs...once again, Target Field?  You have no homers in Target Field, what's up?  

Joe has got some natural talent.  Some people kid that he is the second best quarterback in the state, after Brett Favre (are you coming back?).  I know the guy tries real hard but he is not inspiring to me like Koivu inspires me.  Why? Because I can't imagine being that talented.  

I can imagine working like my life depended up it.

And, considering I have a torn MCL and a bad bone bruise on my tibia, I know what it feels like to be beat on like a rented mule:

 

I Just Love it When I Get Feedback

Ultimate Officials is going through a bit of an overhaul right now...give me some time and I will rock the house (at least I have been told that I "rock the house" with power skating for hockey referees).

For anyone who cares, I am approaching the end of my first year with a "secret investor"...I think they did me a world of good to get going and they also think I am ready to "go it alone".  We'll see...

ANYWAY, I have been asking for a lot of feedback from my UO boys, all it an effort to train, develop, and mentor even more hockey referees in better ways.  That's why I like the feedback.

EXCEPT FOR THIS: I love it when Chinese people comment on here (go visit the Treadmill post and click on the comments -- there are 7 of them)...it really makes me feel special.  So...all you Chinese guys, the "Subscribe" button is to your right.

All Kinds of March Madness

arch is great time of the year (especially when it is 64 degrees out, baby!).  There are all kinds of great hockey -- my backyard has the Minnesota State High School Tournaments, the Minnesota Youth Hockey State Tournaments, the WCHA Final Five...heck...even the Women's Frozen Four is in town at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota Campus!

It's just a fun time of the year ~~ WARNING...I am going to go back into my memory banks and pleasantly relive some memories from 1995 ~~ WARNING

Dateline - Moorhead, MN 1995, site of the Bantam A State Tournament

Rick Looker, Scott Engman, and myself were selected from MN District 16 to work the Bantam A State Tournament.  We travelled from Bemidji, MN (where we were all residing at the time) to Moorhead.  I remember checking into our hotel room on Thursday, prior to the banquet at the VFW Club, and checking all of the NCAA Hoops scores (just like I am doing now) to see how my bracket was doing.  We had a fun time connecting with the other officiating crews that night -  which included a District 5 crew (Brian Thul - WCHA ref,  IIHF ref, ECHL 5 year ref and Evonne Young (prior to Fix) - WCHA Women's ref, IIHF Olympics), a District 10 crew (Eric Olson - current MHOA President and Greg Anzelc - current editor of Minnesota Hockey Journal), and another crew from District 15 (Brian Mach - NHL Linesman) = WOW!  

I also remember working our early quaterfinal game on Friday and coming back to the hotel to clean up.  I remember watching the WCHA Final Five on T.V. and seeing Jerry Krieger wave off a goal against Minnesota (funny thing is, there quite a few who remember that incident :)  Out of all the fun we had on the ice -- our Dist 16 crew was selected to work the championship game -- I remember the people.  The bonding.  The commaraderie.  The memories.

Why bring up that story?  Because that's what we provide here at Ultimate Officials in our Referee Camps - a chance to relive GREAT MEMORIES over and over and over and over again.

I am so proud of the guys from the UO Camps who are participating in MN Youth State Tournaments this weekend:

Darren Glur and Shane Paskey (Bantam A)
Neil Missling (16U Boys Midget)
Kevin Cassidy and John Busch (Jr. Gold B Midget)
Joe Oberg (Jr. Gold A Midget)
Mike Diebold (19UB Girls)

and one guy working a Youth State Tournament in New Jersey:

Domenic Zecca (16U Tier I Midget)

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More madness =


How about the Madness of no suspenion? 
(Even Grapes is incensed!)



How about this hit?:
(I love the comments from the NHL Network guys = right on)



Take a look at the game link for not only the Wisniewski hit, but I want you check out the play preceeding the game winning goal (OMG!): Chicago at Anaheim Highlights 

(Randy Carlyle, the coach of the Ducks, thought it was a clean hit?!?  And Wisniewski gets an 8 game suspension?!?  What about Matt Cooke?!?)
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(next day addition and edit):


OK...I am a teacher and I deal with kids who get in trouble all the time.  I am telling you, IT IS SO EASY TO TELL WHEN SOMEONE IS LYING to get out of trouble.  I am telling you, Wisniewski looks just like a 5th grade boy who got caught trying to steal something.  I love that the NHL Network put together a string of videos to back up any comments made...hilarious (or scary?...how about the cross check to the face?!).  By the way -- I think the term "HEAT SEEKING MISSILE" describes Frattin, too.



Madness...it's all Madness! 
(on a side note -- I think the playoffs this year is going to be better than last year, which was UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE!) 

Seen the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

This past hockey season has brought me to over 100 games as an evaluator for the hockey referees.  If you were to ask me prior to the season if I would enjoy my time watching the zebras all winter long, I would have said "most definitely."

You can take that level of enjoyment and multiply it 10 X's over...that's how much I love Referee Camp!

I love the game of hockey.  Like the MN Wild slogan says, "it's in my blood." 

I also love teaching/coaching.  I love watching guys grow their potential AND their accomplishments throughout the season.  The success of our Late Season and Early Season Referee Camps have been the best part of it = tons of playoff assignments for our boys in stripes!

So...spending all of this time in the stands allows you the opportunity to see some pretty interesting sights.  Just using the past two weekends, I've gotta relay "the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly".

The Good

Over the past few weeks, I have taken in 10 USA Hockey games, 5 High School games, and 5 MJHL games, 75% of which have all been playoff games.  So, do you know what was so good about all that playoff hockey?  It was refereed with officials who busted their butts all year long...guys who did the 8 am "suck wad" games...guys that did the late shift on a Friday night...guys that busted their butts through 12 weeks of SWAT Team Training...guys who skated until they puked (oh ya...there was a couple..I was almost one of them) on a skating treadmill...because it is all about getting to this special time of the year -- the Push for the Playoffs!...the push for Bigger and Better games!

(the really good part?  there are almost 10 hockey referees from the UO Ref Camps who are going to be working MN Youth State Tournaments and USA Hockey Nationals in the next few more weekends = that's beyond 'the Good'!!!).

The Bad

I actually heard, for the first time in my life, about an official "f-bombing" another official.  Well...I have heard guys get upset (heck I even blew a gasket of epic proportions once) at their partners...but...usually...it is provoked.

THIS WAS AN ALL-OUT UNPROVOKED *EFF*YOU OVER WHO IS DROPPING A COUPLE OF FACE OFFS!

This past season, I have taken part in nearly 200 games at all levels.  I have seen all kinds.  I have seen guys who were clueless.  I have seen guys who needed some direction, but didn't know where to turn.  And, unfortunately, I have seen some lazy, no-good-for-nothing guys simply going through the motions to collect a pay check.  I would place the guy who "effed off" his partner in that category.  That guy needs to join a bowling league rather than ref hockey.  Seriously.

The Ugly

Just check out the video link here: disgrace to the game.  'Nuff said.

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!

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!)

Smorgasbord

There have been so many things I have wanted to post about lately, so I decided to do a "Cliff's Notes" version (besides, I have three more games to post on [UO Teaching Videos]!).
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 Rivarly Games

Fun stuff...can be wild.  These are the types of games you dream of working.  Whether it be at the Bantam, High School, College level, or beyond, it is games like these that make you work hard, that make you do stuff behind closed doors, that other officials won't do, just so you can go out and re-create some memories.  When people ask me, "what is this Ultimate Officials thing all about?," my answer is, "we recreate memories."

Do you remember the best game you ever reffed?
Do you remember that over-time thriller?
Do you remember the feeling of satisfaction when you worked a tough game, but you nailed it?

Let's recreate those memories.  And it all starts with a decision, then a commitment.

Here's to a rivarly this coming weekend:



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Batch Processing versus Real Time Processing and Video Replay

You want to get it right, don't you?  In the end, that's all you want...get it right.

Does it matter if it is done by instant replay?  Would it diminish your "manli-hood" if you were wrong the first time and used technology to get it right?  If so...wow!

I think MLB umps would want to get it right:



Here's the thing -- we let ego get in the way.  We use 'traditionalism' to justify that things are OK, it's the way it has always been done.  Well, I'm here to give every one a wake up call that the world around us has changed, and I don't see the referee/officiating world changing with it.  Let's use hockey as an example:

• players train using specialized programs (refs don't)
• the speed of the game is faster than ever before and getting faster (refs are the same)
• technology is used to break down a player's shifts/game/skills (refs may get a DVD, no or little breakdown).
• players receive "real time processing" and get feedback immediately to improve performance (refs get "batch processing" for feedback - which is very ineffective - or, worse, get NO feedback at all!)
• technology is there for all players, coaches, and trainers to use and implement (refs are scared of it or they choose not to embrace it).

The refs answer: it's the way it has always been done.  Nothing wrong here.  We can fix it the old-fashioned way.  Uggghhh....here are the "Seven Steps to Stagnation":

1. We've never done it that way.
2. We're not ready for that yet.
3. We're doing alright without it.
4. We tried it once and it didn't work out.
5. It costs too much.
6. That's not our responsibility.
7. It won't work.

Ultimate Officials, thanks in large part to our new management, is undertaking a serious change in referee development.  We understand that feedback, done so in "real time" (i.e. immediately, right away, so you can process it) is the wave of the future for coaching officials.  "Batch processing" (i.e. giving feedback at some point in the future, maybe the end of the game, sometimes at the end of a season, sometimes not at all) is DEAD!  It doesn't work.  Why? Usually the referee doesn't remember it, or they can't make corrections until the next time they ref or the next time some situation happens to them.  Uggghh!

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A College Football Team as an Example:

The following was taken from the October 12, 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated.  The [story] is about TCU Horned Frogs College Football Team.  They have taken a change to how players are recruited, groomed, and pushed:

When it comes to recruiting, Patterson is a realist. "As a general rule, no one beats Texas [in recruiting] in the state of Texas," he says. But making do with the table scraps left by the Longhorns, TCU has won 11 games in four of the last six seasons. With September road victories over Virginia and Clemson, the Frogs have won 13 of their last 16 against teams from BCS conferences.

How is this happening? How has a program from a private school with fewer than 3,700 male students become a fixture in the Top 25? Patterson's formula has been to employ a conservative but opportunistic offense, mix in strong special teams and, most important, play swarming, confusing lights-out defense. And more key than his schemes are the guys he finds to run them. His players tend to fit a certain mold. They are:

• Fast. You can be short. But if you can't fly to the ball, TCU isn't interested.
• From Texas—of the 21 players in TCU's 2009 recruiting class, 20 are from in-state—and acutely aware of having been overlooked by Texas. Patterson, says Dallas Cowboys linebacker Stephen Hodge, a former Horned Frog, "wants guys with a blue-collar work ethic and a chip on their shoulders."
• Low maintenance. Patterson seeks self-starters, guys who watch video during their lunch periods, who don't have to be lassoed into the weight room. "It doesn't matter how bad I want it if they don't," he says.
• Not overly attached to the position they played in high school. In 2006 five of the 11 players on the defensive line were former high school running backs. Hodge, a strong safety for the Frogs, was a prep quarterback, as were three recent starting tight ends, two of whom ended up in the NFL. Another transplanted QB: Jason Phillips, a four-year starter at linebacker who's now a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens.

"When Coach Patterson asks you to change, you listen," says Phillips, who also played linebacker in high school. "His track record is pretty good. Plus, it usually means you're going to get on the field quicker."

How can this be applicable to hockey referees?  Well, I will insert my own bullet points and let you decide (maybe it doesn't apply anywhere but my mind):

• Hustle (fast helps).  You have be conditioned to FLYING (I mean FLYING!) to the net at stoppages, to the net, period, as a referee, if you are going to be on our team.
• From a place where you wear your heart on your sleeve.  You must reside in "Gumption County" to be a part of this team.  If you don't come from a place that brings your "A" game every time, if you get burned out working crappy 'checkbook' hockey games, then we aren't looking for you.
• Low maintenance.  You must be willing, through your own decisions, to commit to being better through training, accountability measures, and watching video.  If you ain't got time for that, go join the chess club for recreation.
• Not overly attached to your own perceived notions.  You must be "coachable".  There have been a handful of people "cut" from the Ultimate Officials roster, because they were either not coachable or they were not serious.  Don't waste your time (or mine).

***********************************************************************************
Belief

In order to change, you need to change.  Change your beliefs.  Change what you do.  Change who you hang out with.  Change something...and...you usually have to make a dramatic change to make a dramatic improvement.  Do you subscribe to the "7 Steps of Stagnation"?

Or do you believe?  Is this your year?

"Like an Assassin"?

Mental Toughness to the Extreme...good? bad? unhealthy? what's your take?

Being a Vikings fan, I watched with more interest than usual for Monday night's MNF game featuring Favre vs. the Packers.  Of course, the Minneapolis area has been buzzing about this match up all week, if not since #4 signed with the Purple.

So, on my drive home from teaching school on Monday, I hear the local sports station interview Mike Ditka, and ask him how much of a revenge factor is going through Favre's head.  Ditka said it wouldn't be like that at all, it's all about the will to win and treating the game like that (or something or other).  "Yeah right," I thought, "this guy is gonna wanna rip through the Pack to make a statement, maybe his biggest statement to wrap up his career.

So, I am then watching the pre-game show on ESPN, which has Ditka, Boomer, Keyshawn, Cris Carter, and Tom Jackson.  Once again, the topic comes up about "whether this game is a revenge game for Favre or not."  Ditka gives his same answer that he gave KFAN earlier in the day on the radio - "Brett is more focused about winning.  It's not about revenge."

The other guys laughed at that one...

Cris Carter -- Cris was let go by the Philadelphia Eagles and Coach, Buddy Ryan, who said, "All he does is catch touchdowns."  When he was picked up by the Vikings and they played the Eagles, he wanted nothing more than to DESTROY them.  Final result: 6 receptions for 151 yards and a 78 yard TD on MNF.

Tom Jackson -- He said that he "made stuff up" about the opposing team, just so he could get into a 'revenge-type' mindset (WOW!).

They all commented on Michael Jordan's Basketball Hall of Fame speech, where he called all kinds of people out, really surprising the entire crowd, and turning many of them off [Story Here].  A former assistant coach of his on the Chicago Bulls said that Jordan is "like an assassin", meaning he's a cold-blooded killer, approached the game that way, and, therefore, dominated the game.

It got me thinking about an interview that Tiger Woods did with Barbara Walters on 20/20, and she asked something like, "Do you go into each tournament expecting to win."  His response was something like, "I don't even know why the others bother showing up. (DOUBLE WOW!).

All of this gets me thinking about referees.  In 2007, I did a Thesis project on "The Mental Apsects of Officiating."  One of the 5 common characteristics among elite level hockey refs is that they possess the "Mindset of a Champion."  Well...I'd hate to tell you and others who get squemish about such things, but these people who think like champions do wonder why others show up.  They are arrogant in some regards (most never act so outwardly -- it would diminsh their character -- but believe so inwardly.  They are obsessed with winning and do what it takes.

So, the question finally comes down to: "How bad do you want it?"  Really bad?  Or only if it is easy?  Referees aren't playing to win or lose.  But many do play for keeps.  It's a unique world where a hockey ref is in a brotherhood that is constantly in competition with each other.  There are [percentages that are always present] in the hockey referee world...where does your mindset, competitive streak, and drive fall on that percentage?

Are you "like an assassin"?  I know I am. I know that Favre played like one on Monday. (One more WOW!).

[SWAT Team]

It Gives Me Quivers Down to My Livers

Sunday afternoon...first day of training camp...and the boys are getting "their game legs" underneath them.



We've got some guys (including myself) getting the game legs on, too!:

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9/11 - We Remember - We Learn?

It was just this past May when I talked about Mark Bavis [see here], but I wanted to do so again, on this Sept. 11, 8 years after the tragic event.

See my video...

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It Was 5 Years Ago Now...

That I lost my mother to cancer. She was 56 years old. Too young.

It was that fall, 2oo4, when a good friend of mine, Brian Thul, who had lost his father to cancer the year before, and I decided to play a golf game and take all of our bets and donate them to the American Cancer Society.

There were six golfers that year:

Brian Thul*
Jeff Beckers*
Brian Johnson
Brad Albers
Lisa Albers
myself*

And we donated $240 to ACS. In about 9 hours, 55 people will tee off for the 6th Annual Zebra Open - Take a Swing at Cancer. Over the years we have raised over $8,500. That's awesome. I am proud to run this tournament and I can't wait to see all of my good friends at the golf course.

Hockey people are the best kind of people in the world. And hockey referees are the best of the hockey people. I am glad to call them all friends.

(*) Have been present at every single Zebra Open

Here's a commercial from last year:

Data - Why It Should Mean a Hill of Beans to You

I've got your stats...loads of them! Want to know how many times you will typically sprint up and down the ice? Want to know how often you'll stand still out there? Want to know what are the most common face off locations? Want to know what are the most common stoppages in a game (like goalie freezing the puck, etc)???

You probably don't. You just want to work Bigger and Better games. Don't blame you...I do, too! I want that feeling of having 8,000 people crammed into the State Fairgrounds Coliseum again. I want that feeling of working on T.V. again. I want that championship game again. And so do you...that' why you work the games. You love it and you want more.

How can you get there? How can you get on T.V.?

Data will help. It's a start...come along for the ride. If you haven't told me you are in for the Fitness Contest yet, what are you waiting for? Don't you want those BIG games?

See this video:

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Admitting Your Weaknesses Can Be a Start...

This Ultimate Officials thing...definitely a work in progress.














The past 7 days has been quite a little trip for me...here's a real quick synopsis:

• met with a really great group of guys at my house, felt a sense of commaraderie developing (COOL)
• established a new hockey business contact that will really help referees become better skaters (COOL)
• got some positive feedback from guys I was golfing with in Bemidji about this whole 'Ultimate Officials' thing (REAL COOL)
• talked with some one who has all the desire, skating ability, and potential in the world of hockey refereeing, yet can't get to the next level because of mental, social, and political barriers (NOT COOL)
• learned from a member of my Ultimate Officials board of directors that I was unintentionally sending mixed messages (Tough to take at First, then COOL).
• got a book from a former business advisor and saw she was writing about me (NOT COOL...NOW definitely COOL!)

And that was just this past week.

Here's an excerpt from Abby Hagyard's book, "Market Centrics":

Adversarial Aggression

To the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. To the individual driven to be number one, everything looks like a contest. In the competitor’s mind, a winner can only win if everyone else loses. To take the definition one step further, the winner’s group can only be the best if certain numbers of its members are rejected by standards its leader defines and rules that he enforces. Membership becomes prized and comes at a price.

Yep, that is exactly how I have led my athletic life. And... not now...no more...not my coach life. I coach referees. Competition is good, but can be destructive. Let's get to the good:

It's about you...what can I do for you?

Let me know. Specifically. If not now, when? Anyone who reads this blog will see some new and improved changes for you. And, you will also get personal consideration for you, too!

It's time for me to put away the hammer. You're not a nail.:)

400-500 Pucks...Mental Toughness...et al

I just got back home yesterday from the Minnesota Hockey Officials Association Referee Development Camp in St. Cloud, MN. For those of you aren't familiar with this camp, it is held in conjunction with the Minnesota Advanced 15 Hockey Festival. 102 of the best 15 years olds in the state practice and play during this festival for the opportunity to be one of the final 22 to participate in the USA Hockey National Advanced 15 Festival in Rochester, NY.

The hockey action was OUTSTANDING this year, and our 12 officials worked hard all week, learned a lot, and set a strong foundation for the future. I am proud of all of them.

During this festival, the teams, coaches, referees, and all staff get together to eat and there is always a guest speaker. The guest speakers this week were: Zach Parise, NJ Devils player (former Advanced 15 member from MN), Cary Eades (Associate Coach, Univ. of North Dakota), Scott Sandelin (Head Coach, Univ. of MN-Duluth), Chris Howe (Head Coach, Concordia College), Tom Serratorre (Head Coach, Bemidji State University) and Mike Hastings (Asst. Coach, Univ. of Minnesota).

THE THING THAT WAS TRUE FOR ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WAS...THEY WORE THEIR HEARTS ON THEIR SLEEVE.

Other things were also common in all of them, but what I saw and heard was their passion for what they do. Their passion for the game. Their passion to be the best.

Here are a few tidbits I took away from each of them...

Zach Parise:

Q: "What was the number one thing you did to prepare for the NHL?"

A: "Shoot pucks. I shot 400-500 per day."

Q: "What was something you did to prepare yourself and get ready for the NHL?"

A: "I surrounded myself with the right people. My two best friends at Shattuck were very important -- Drew Stafford and Brady Murray. We pushed each other to be the best."



Tom Serratorre:

"We have one rule at Bemidji State -- do what's the right thing. That's it."

"How you react to adversity is the most important thing."

Overall, he was my favorite because I could feel his passion more than anything else. He never talked strategy, X's and O's, nor did he talk about shooting pucks, plyos, weight training, or practice. He talked about the skills and mindset it takes to be the best -- the best at anything (husband, father, employee, boss, whatever).


Chris Howe:

Chris talked a lot about character. He talked that there are "characters" and there is character. He was referencing Ted Brill, and I like that a lot, because Ted Brill was a visionary. One of my all time favorite things to do when I was an instructor at the MHOA camp in my "early years" as an instructor was to sit and listen to guys like Ted Brill talk. In fact, just about every morning, after we had our breakfast, we always have a short break to relax, take a nap, clean up, whatever. Well, it was at this time that Bill Leslie would always sit outside the dorms on the "porch" of wherever we were staying at on St. Cloud State University and talk hockey with Ted Brill. In the earlier years a gentleman by the name of Ted Fenske was there, too. The "Legend" Dave Hendrickson was there, too. I just loved listening to all of these guys because they were visionaries. I miss those men a lot.

Cary Eades:

"In a battery of tests on all type of hockey skills, I would have probably tested out at at 5 on a scale from 1-10. However, when it came to desire to win, I would have tested out at a 10. I loved doing things to help the others on my teams be better, guys like Doug Smail, Mark Taylor (both NHL players). I would take pride in digging out the puck and giving it to those guys"

This is a video clip of a very famous fight between University of North Dakota and University of Wisconsin. Someone on the Badger bench squirted Eades with a water bottle and Eades went nuts. So did the rest of the Sioux bench. ( I remember watching that game on TV. My parents had a party with a small group of friends over to watch the game on TV. This was a big deal, because back then, the Sioux weren't on TV -- this was back when we only had 5 channels on TV...no ESPN...no hockey packages...just the big three networks, PBS, and CBC out of Canada, which had Hockey Night in Canada -- Twin Cities- you have no idea what you're missing. This was also a big deal because my Mom and Dad actually put the TV in the living room. We never had the TV in there -- at least it seemed like a big deal to a 2nd grader!). Old time hockey!:

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

Thank you goes out to all who served our country and allow us to remain free and brave...

Another bit of emotion goes out to all of those who had passed on before us. For me, that immediately goes right to thoughts of my mother, who passed nearly 5 years ago from a battle with cancer.

For those of you who may not know, I had my own "min-battle" two years ago. I had a melanoma removed from my right calf, and I took 9 months to recover and feel "human again". We are all getting old (yes, you too, you young bucks in your teens and twenties). Get busy living or get busy dying...

Kind of ties into my title, the land of the free and the home of the brave. We obviously are all free to make the choices we want. You are certainly free to pursue the referee career you want. The only limitation is yourself...doesn't have to do with politics (even though you may think so)...doesn't have to do with no spots available in the league/level you want (even though you may think so)...certainly doesn't have to do with your age, skating ability, or skill (even though you may think so -- those are ALL correctable situations!). It all has to do with how you limit yourselves.

I get sick and tired of hockey referees who cry because they don't "get the breaks." I witnessed a referee this past year actually BREAK his arm. He was in the Junior Program, and he refused to get a cast, because he knew it would limit his potential for assignments the rest of the year. Read that again...go ahead...he refused to get a cast on a broken arm because he didn't want it to be a limitation. Home of the brave, indeed (well, at least for some). The guy went on to do playoffs in all the junior leagues that the JODP covers.

On the flip side, I also watched some guys bitch and moan about working Jr. A Tier III games. They thought they were "better than that". Wondered why they weren't getting the nice USHL gigs. NEW FLASH - IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE A COWARD...YOU ARE NOT BRAVE.

How do you instill courage into someone?

1. Training - be a part of a group that does it over and over and over again - (that's how the US stormed the beaches at Normandy).
2. You get "UNCOMFORTABLE" -- You want to be the one who "conquers a league" -- you're going to have to dig deeper and go beyond your comfort zone.
3. You seek out allies to help you in this quest -- Not one elite hockey referee EVER make it on his or her own. They always had someone to guide them, open doors for them, give them feedback, have them kick them in the ass, etc.

If you don't have "RESOUNDING YES'S" for all three of those points, you are really behind the 8 ball. You also may be leading a cowardly life. Sorry, that's to the point and direct.

Get busy living or get busy dying...
( "Andy crawled to freedom through 500 yards of sh*t-smelling foulness I can't even imagine. Or maybe I just don't want to. 500 yards...that's the length of 5 football fields...just shy of half a mile.")

What Player Makes the Best Coach -- Referee, too?

Happy Mother's Day -- you're not a mother? Wish your wife a happy day for me? If that doesn't fit, wish your mother a happy day!

Barry Melrose, whom I am a fan of, is telling it like it is prior to this weekend's hockey. He makes some very good points. Among those good points has to do with, "What type of player makes the best coach?" Listen to his answer and tell me if it's the same guy who makes the best referee.

Most guys say that referee's are usually goons or goalies (I was neither). When I look at the characteristics of the elite level referee, I do see some of the same characteristics Barry mentions.

Food for thought...

Why Hockey Refs Do What They Do...

Oft asked question to me...

Q: Why do you do it? I would never take all that abuse and stuff.

A: Rather than answering that, let's allow Ed Hochuli, NFL referee explain why:

"It's like having a main line of adrenaline running in your vein for three hours on Sunday night. It's like standing on a cliff."

This is a really, really good article [read here]. Thanks, Darren for sharing it with me!

ENJOY!

The Most Dramatic Signal You Can Make...

Is the "Goal" or "No Goal" signal after being on the phone at the penalty box (the penalty shot signal is a real close second). If there is ever any time for "flair", this is it.

Some comrades of mine have always discussed this (note: the "no goal" signal is best done with your helmet in your hand), and we have also discussed officials we admire in other sports. We always mention Ed Hochuli (even though he goofed in the San Diego game)...no one could signal first down with the big triceps like him.

So...

I had to laugh when I saw something that included (a) the NHL, (b) the most dramatic signal you can make, and (c) Ed Hochuli in one spot [read here].

Here's the excerpt here:

Hey Booch,

What's your take on the little football-style speeches the refs do these days after going upstairs to review a play? Personally, I think they should just stick to either pointing to center ice or flashing the "safe" signal.

Dan T.
Lake in the Hills, Ill.

This is an excellent query on two levels.

1. You are right; the simple point and "safe" call has much more of a theatrical result. It's like a silent movie.

2. NHL referees are woefully inept in their explanation of on-ice interpretations. They sound like college sports anchors reading the news. (Boom goes the dynamite!) They all need to go to an Ed Hochuli camp for miked-up officials. Now, I understand that Ed, an NFL referee, made an erroneous call in a Denver Broncos-San Diego Chargers game last season, but that's not important right now. The man is a genius when it comes to explaining calls to the crowd and television viewers. He is the Edward R. Murrow of miked refs.

Go to YouTube and check out some of these performances. One during an Atlanta Falcons game still mesmerizes me. It was flawless! It was like Richard Burton does "Hamlet" does intentional grounding. We could send NHL referees to a weeklong Hochuli camp during the summer. While there, referees also could enjoy the benefits of Hochuli's cutting-edge instruction in biceps and triceps training and arm waxing. There simply is no downside to this. Until this happens, NHL referees should just point or wave off.

PRICELESS!!!

{One of the all-time Best Calls}: