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A few weeks ago, I was at the Level 4 Mass Hockey/USA clinic. A point was raised that hockey coaches have to deal with crazy parents.
This fact is indisputable. However, in response, I noted that hockey referees and linesmen not only have to deal with crazy parents and their entitled offspring, but also with crazy coaches.
The spoiled brat act (or worse, reckless disregard for others' safety) from some players comes from both poor parenting and poor coaching. OK, but an we also sometimes attach blame to the referees? I guess that will always be the case. Referees always have to keep taking the temperature of the game: it goes with the turf.
There's a reason why we should never allow parents to have caffeine before a game or players to watch others who are allowed to play this way in any other leagues; bad combos, regardless.
Everyone once in awhile, we get hit with the disturbing images and videos of kids who totally lose their mind on the ice and parents who do the same in the stands. Sadly, we haven't seen the last of it.
It is sad that hockey as a sport and hockey parents keep getting a black eye because of those who don't parent, coaches who don't coach and officials who lack feel for the game. Sadly, the state of recruitment and retention means that we burn the candles at both ends for our better officials and many of the promising ones with potential to be good ones grow tired of the abuse and want out before they realize that potential.
I would imagine that this can be considered another call to action; to "fix" the game. However, I think the fix might need to start at home, then in the classroom, then in the locker room and finally, on the ice. There's only so much as hockey people that we can do.
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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born person to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the only American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.