For the betterment of the game, Hockey Canada and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) are trying to create an environment of respect for its officials whether that is a minor, elite or recreational showcase of the sport.
Ryan Lundquist, manager of officiating development with the SHA, said the association is trying to raise awareness of respect among officials, parents, coaches and players in hockey through advertising as well as supervision of the product on the ice. He said there are extra supervisors in the rinks at various times this season across Saskatchewan to monitor officials in how they react to abuse in an effort to resolve inconsistencies among the province’s referees.
Lundquist said there is a rule in place, namely 9.2 of Hockey Canada Referee’s Case Book/Rule Combination concerning “Harassment of Officials, Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Misconduct” that guides officials actions towards their conduct and that of the teams involved whether on or off the ice and in any place at the rink. He said this rule enables officials to call penalties on players or coaches that direct abuse in their way, but it is up to the individual discretion of a ref when to call a penalty.
As far as fans and parents abusing officials, the refs are generally advised to ignore them and focus on their own task at hand and not worry about what the motives of the people in the stands may be.
“Everybody is looking for somebody to blame because it’s easy,” said Lundquist. “Hockey Canada had a poster where there is an official dropping the puck between two kids and on the back of one kid it says ‘meal ticket’ and on the other player it says ‘daddy’s dream’ and then on the back of the ref it says ‘scapegoat.'”
He said it is also true that refs make mistakes as well, but everyone has to just remember minor leagues in hockey are learning leagues and the game on the ice that the fan is watching is somewhat new to the players, coaches and referees involved.
To read more please see the Jan. 7 print edition of The Davidson Leader.