Central Mass Hockey Officials Association

National Ice Hockey Officials Association

Address to CMHOA 10/19/2009

Observations:

1.  1    Want to be there

a.       Appearance – clean striped shirt, pressed pants, polished skates, clean laces,  hands out of your pockets

b.      Rules knowledge – review the rule book regularly, don’t dwell on rare situations but do ensure that you know the rules

c.       Judgment – learn by watching other officials

d.      Learn/grow from each game

e.      Hustle – you’ll gain respect if you show that you are there to work

f.        Partnership – be the kind of partner that you want to work with

g.       Pride

2.  2    Icing 

a.       Front man look back to partner to confirm Icing (before whistle)

b.      Positioning –

                                   i.      Rear official stay up with play; do not assume icing

                                   ii.     After whistle priorities:  Players; Puck; Position

c.       "Two Puck" face off is lazy and unprofessional (using a spare puck from your pocket)

3.  3    Blue Line Positioning

a.       During play, official should be outside of Blue Line. If struck by puck you are outside of zone and won’t accidentally keep puck inside zone; if puck goes back in it’s offside

4.  4    Rapport with Coaches

a.       Be approachable, polite, business-like

b.      Be careful not to joke or give appearance of favoritism to one bench

5.  5    Think Ahead

a.       Short-handed team – acceptance level of second penalty?

b.      If a team is two men short and a goal is scored, who comes out of penalty box?

c.       Don’t bury a team that is down 10-1, but don’t give them a license to get chippy, either.

6.  6    After the Whistle

a.       Anyone can call matching penalties – differentiate, where warranted – “get the guy who’s going to ruin your night”

b.      Officials can get into more trouble for what they don’t call, than for what they do call

c.       Know the difference between “letting them play” and “making them play”

d.      Checking from behind – call it!

e.      Do Not apologize for calling of penalties. It is your job; it is demanded in Points of Emphasis

7.  7    How many games are too many in one day?

a.       Be able to do a credible job in every game you accept. Know your limit

8.  8    Work Hard. Get better; identify strengths and weaknesses

9.       Have respect for and of fellow officials

10.9   Face-offs – keep it fair

11.10   Profanity – Zero Tolerance for players AND OFFICIALS!

Throughout Mike’s career he strived to keep this thought in mind:

   Work Hard and Have Fun!!!