Game 7 - Carolina at Boston

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Ducks vs. Wings - Game 7 -Live Tryout

And We will See You...

Wednesday Night!

Game last night was awesome! Missed it?? You can get it all with these highlights right here:

Officiating Crew:
Referees - Paul Devorski (#10) and Dennis LaRue (#14 - USA Ref!)
Linesmen - Brad Lazarowich (#86) and Jay Sharrers (#57 - That's my boy!)


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 Jarkko Ruutu, the guy who bit someone in the thumb, was on the team, too - he was a piece of work back then, too!), 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. I had also seen him on the bench with Boston University at a tournament in Duluth.

Mark and I chatted during the whole game. 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.

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!

And He Said, "It's 100% Mental"

This post is literally coming "hot off the press". This first weekend in May, I have been fortunate enough to attend the USA Hockey Eastern Instructors Training Seminar. I just heard a speech from a participant on the topic of "Nutrition".

The gentlemen spoke about his personal story of losing 75 pounds of fat. He got the opportunity to referee some junior hockey in his area, and he stated that he was 306 lbs. at the time.

1. He made a decision. He set a goal.
2. He committed himself to his goal, 100%, unconditionally.
3. He succeeded, because he transformed his habits.

OK, that seems logical doesn't it? Would you agree that we all know what is good for us and what is NOT good for us. I could honestly say that you probably all know enough about exercise, and the hardest part is deciding, committing, and, therefore, succeeding. Maybe you just need a kick in the rear? Maybe you just need a training partner? Maybe you just need some competition? I don't know what it is that you need to do, but I can relate to you what the guy who lost 75 lbs. did, and he was spot-on with his teaching points:

1. He involved his family. He asked them for support. Not just his wife, but his extended family as well.
2. He involved his friends. His best friend, who was also a hockey referee, was one of his supports.
3. He created a competition amongst his local association, called it "The Biggest Loser", each guy put in $10 and did a three month program to see who could lose the most weight (which he won -- $150).
4. He put his goal right in front of his face each and every day.

Ultimate Officials has the support network, the competitive aspect, and the resources for you to do the "100% Mental" things. Are you willing to decide, commit, and succeed??