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Ref Memories

    The other night I went and watched the Steinbach vs Virden playoff game in Virden. I was impressed with the officials that worked that game, well done gentlemen! I had a short visit with Cory Flecknor and we reminisced about some of our past games we had worked together. Cory was telling me that he had played senior hockey but had been injured too many times to keep playing so he thought he would referee. Smart decision, as Cory turned out to be one heck of an official. I was sharing with him some of the former officials who had passed away recently. 

    Officials who work together know before the start of a game, at best we can only do the best you can, and you will not please all the crowd, that's for sure!

    The memories of games and of people you remember, little incidents along the way are great to relive. 

One such memory was a game in Virden when I gave Dane Bawden a penalty for tripping. The soft spoken Al Bawden yells at me, he didn't mean to trip him! Everyone had a good chuckle at that. Those are the things that you remember. 

    One night in Foxwarren, a man threw some money on the ice. I had him removed from the rink, but thanked him for buying the mix for a drink.

    Another time I went to Strathclair and someone, and I do know who, had a hangman's noose hanging at centre ice. I thought near the end of the game, I can't remember what I did to earn that so I gave that individual a real good reason to use it. I think I called a phantom penalty on him when the game was no longer in doubt. Of course I already knew a misconduct and game misconduct would likely happen, I was okay with that. I am not sure he liked it. I figured you sent me a message, you are getting one back.

    I am sure all the guys who have passed away would have their own great stories as well. Rest in Peace men. Men like Dave Preston, Perry Kalynuk, Al Taylor, Rick Saler, Mike Twardoski, Jack Graham, Red McConnell, Lloyd Little, Bill Little, Gordie Lyall, Ken Smith and others. These men officiated for the love of the game. It was never for the money!