Number of officials grows

Times Reporter

 

The numbers have gone up again, from 47 to 50, this year for referees registered with Strathmore Minor Hockey. Because of the increase to the numbers, Strathmore is able to work a three man system on the ice, two linemen and a ref. 

“It goes to show the support our kids have gotten and how well our kids handle it when every year our referee numbers go up a little bit,” said Stephen Stovka, Referee in Chief. 

Most hockey associations have their coaches take part in the Respect in Sport. Stovka said, because they are able to use a three man system, it allows the referee to concentrate on the actual flow of the game, helping to keep it safe for the kids. Stovka and John Culshaw, the assigner, teach the referee clinic in Strathmore. Stovka said they work closely with the kids, not just on developing them as refs. He said they teach conflict resolution in the clinic, proper game skill management and even how to deal with adults. 

Sometimes there can be issues with the coaches and parents, but Respect in Sport has helped eliminate some of that. 

Stovka said they try to teach the kids that hockey is a passionate sport and how to learn the difference between being passionate and being disrespectful.

“That’s the number one reason why these kids quit doing it, they get tired of not only the coaches but of adults yelling at them,” said Stovka. 

“Bottom line is most of the kids do this as an extracurricular thing to make money during the winter,” said Stovka 

He said they follow a proper chain of command, and if there are any incidents, the officiators report to him to deal with it. Stovka said after a few years the officiators become adapt at handling the issues. 

“We have a really solid group of older officials that really encourage the young guys and keep them going,” said Stovka. 

To become an officiator, they can be no younger than 12 years old, and must attend a ref clinic every year.  Because Stovka and Culshaw taught the one in Strathmore many of the kids knew their instructors. It was 16 hours of instruction, plus an hour and a half on ice learning the basics and the rules. They also do a type of continuing education where they watch the kids at games and let them know what they are doing right and occasionally what may need to be worked on. Right now there are about five or six officiators working at the Junior Hockey level, and they have a chance to progress all the way to the NHL.  

“They almost follow the exact same line as a hockey player. Nowadays it’s just as tough for an official because they have to get supervised, they go through evaluations and they work their way up,” said Stovka. 

Stovka said they offer the ref clinic until about the middle of December. Because there were so many kids who signed on this year, there are issues of trying to get them enough games. 

“We got really lucky this year, we have a really strong group of kids from the ages of 12 to 16, so our future does look bright for it,” said Stovka.  

To find out more about becoming an officiator, or just general information go to smhockey.com.