Yes Yes Yes, so well stated sir, and as you said it applies to all sports, I have been officiating in one capacity or another since I was 15, little league and on up, hockey, hoops. It is the love of the game, the desire to contribute, and when working with youth the desire to make a difference and provide a fair playing environment for them.
Yes there are coaches I do not care for over my career, of course, ones I have gotten along with or even call friends, of course again. But when I step out onto whatever playing surface is under my feet, I am there to do a job, and I do a disservice to the players, the coaches and the fans if I don't do the best job possible without concern at all to personal connections (positive or negative). Mostly I would do a disservice to myself, and that I will never do.
I would agree with this for the vast majority. But if you want to tell me that Stephane Auger didn't have it out for certain teams and individuals, I won't hear it.
Also, I know that all officials have guys that they are more/less inclined to give the benefit of the doubt to. This indirectly affects how many power plays the other team gets/doesn't get, which can affect the game.
Always respected you as an official and as a straight shooter. While I agree for the most part, you and I are part of the last generation of integrity. Far too often, I’ve seen “younger” officials make themselves part of the game, lack the people skills to develop a raport with the players, lack the respect for the games traditions, and let their own biases affect some of the calls. This akin to the judicial activists we now have as judges. The times have changed.....and not for the better......sad to say.
NHL refs are some of the worst in professional sports. Their complete lack of consistency and blatant need to create makeup calls is prevalent throughout every game.
NHL refs are some of the worst in professional sports. Their complete lack of consistency and blatant need to create makeup calls is prevalent throughout every game. - Slip and slap
Add lack of knowledge of the rule book. But that also applies to the war room, some of the decisions from there are alcohol driven.
Location: Malkin wants to be The Man, ON Joined: 02.01.2016
Nov 23 @ 12:41 PM ET
Just curious how many of the posters here have ever blown a whistle in their lives, betting 1. - Sec111
Yeah none of us should be allowed to have an opinion. Perhaps only current and ex refs should be allowed to comment on Paul's blogs. After all, we don't know anything about refereeing or hockey.
Just curious how many of the posters here have ever blown a whistle in their lives, betting 1. - Sec111
What does this have to do with the price of tea in China? Actions speak louder than words. It's very easy now for Stewy to come on this site and tell stories. Oh yea - everything we read on the internet is true.
Yeah none of us should be allowed to have an opinion. Perhaps only current and ex refs should be allowed to comment on Paul's blogs. After all, we don't know anything about refereeing or hockey. - gergeswillems
You are right everyone is entitled to an opinion, I never said anyone didn't have the right, I simply asked a question, which apparantly upset those who have in fact never officiated anything in their lives, I invite you to go down to a local kids league and get involved for a couple of years, learn all the rules not just the few you think you know or the ones the commentators (some of them completely out of touch) speak of, because first hand knowledge and experience usually carries a little more weight then uninformed and inexperienced opinion.
Location: Malkin wants to be The Man, ON Joined: 02.01.2016
Nov 24 @ 10:52 AM ET
You are right everyone is entitled to an opinion, I never said anyone didn't have the right, I simply asked a question, which apparantly upset those who have in fact never officiated anything in their lives, I invite you to go down to a local kids league and get involved for a couple of years, learn all the rules not just the few you think you know or the ones the commentators (some of them completely out of touch) speak of, because first hand knowledge and experience usually carries a little more weight then uninformed and inexperienced opinion. - Sec111
Why? I would not want to stop wannabe know it all's like you who think just because they officiated hockey games at a low level, that it somehow gives you the right to talk down to all hockey fans who never wore the stripes. Careful getting off that high horse. You might hurt yourself on the way down. There's no need for you to do it. Paul already does a great job of this.
Why? I would not want to stop wannabe know it all's like you who think just because they officiated hockey games at a low level, that it somehow gives you the right to talk down to all hockey fans who never wore the stripes. Careful getting off that high horse. You might hurt yourself on the way down. There's no need for you to do it. Paul already does a great job of this. - gergeswillems
Show me where I claimed to know it all, or spoke to ALL hockey fans who never wore stripes, you should be careful too, your sensitivity is showing, oh and why, you might learn something, not speaking to all, just you, and no come to think of it, stay in the stands and scream uninformed nonsense, because you obviously know that you must have the better angle from there.
Location: Malkin wants to be The Man, ON Joined: 02.01.2016
Nov 24 @ 11:10 AM ET
Show me where I claimed to know it all, or spoke to ALL hockey fans who never wore stripes, you should be careful too, your sensitivity is showing, oh and why, you might learn something, not speaking to all, just you, and no come to think of it, stay in the stands and scream uninformed nonsense, because you obviously know that you must have the better angle from there. - Sec111
I'm sure all NHL officials have no predisposition towards Dennis Wideman. - jmatchett383
Agreed, just because we spiked up to the top of the league in minors taken within two weeks of the incident, stayed at the top for the remainder of his contract, and are now down to 18th in minors taken without him this season; does NOT MEAN the refs had a disposition.
