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I am not sure whether it irks or amuses me when misinformed people say that hockey officials have no accountability. The reality is that referees and linesmen undergo as much scrutiny, evaluation and feedback from supervisors, assignors and league officiating directors as players do from coaches and general managers. In every season and in every significant league, there is a system in place to evaluate, reward, fine/suspend or even retire (whether by choice or duress) officials whose time has come to step off the ice.
Being evaluated is part of the job description for officials and everything the referee or linesman does -- preparation for the game, conditioning, Rule book application, positioning, dealings with players and coaches and functioning as a member of a team,punctuality, work ethic, etc, -- is subject to review. Negative reviews can be felt in the wallet, because assignments can ride on them.
Over the years, I grew used to being critiqued and, later, reviewing other officials. My approach is to be bluntly honest but with an eye toward teaching and coaching. Reviews are strictly business.... all personal feelings of whether I like or dislike the person off-the-ice are removed. I dare say that I do a better job at crafting thorough and emotionally detached reviews than many assignors and supervisors; I learned from the some of the best like John McCauley, John Ashley and Frank Udvari.
Are there times where I have to assign officials whose work I consider just average? Yes, that's a reality of this business. Just as with players, not every official in the league is going to be a star. There are only so many people in the officiating pool and every game has to have a crew (this is why we need to recruit more -- and better -- candidates around the hockey world). However, continual improvement there are some lines in the sand that my officials had better not cross if they want to keep working games for me.
Below is a sample written assessment of an official. I wrote it last year on the work of a KHL official. All identifying names, locales and the date of the game have been removed.
Official Evaluated: John Doe Date: Whenever
Assignment: Referee
Location: Arena A Score: Home team won by a bunch
Home Team: The Guys in Dark Uniforms Away Team: The Other Guys
Evaluation Rating System
Excellent (5) = Outstanding for that category, excellent performance, stellar officiating
Good (4) = Slight room for improvement, well above average, very few issues, reliable officiating
Fair (3) = Minor cause for concern, moderate deficiencies in this area, passable officiating
Poor (2) = Encountered significant problems, clear shortcomings, undependable officiating
Inadequate (1) = Overwhelmed, unacceptable performance, no confidence in this officiating
General Comments and Notes: I have seen Referee Doe at least 5 times this season. Skating backwards and forwards but especially backwards is a concern. Conditioning is another concern. He knows it and he has been told after every game. Get moving and get to the net.
Category: Appearance (Uniform, Attitude, Presence/Poise)
Evaluation Rating: 4
Comments: He looks professional in his uniform. As for his attitude, he does not seem to respond to coaching and suggestions. It's his career. My advice: get moving and get skating.
Category: Skating (Forward, Backward, Hustle)
Evaluation Rating: 2.5
Comments: Often gets in the way: Skates to the half-boards and stands there. Called several penalties as R2 from well behind the blue line. Does not understand that skates are for skating. Referee Doe is not moving in the form needed for this level. Got knocked down in corner, and it was his fault.
Category: Positioning (Goal Line, Blue Line, Reaction to Play, Stoppages)
Evaluation Rating: 2.5
Comments: A byproduct of not skating is poor positioning. I honestly recommend that Referee Doe get skating and improve his positioning significantly if he is to stay at this level. He's not helping himself. Do get someone to work with you on your technique.
Category: Signals (Execution, Assessment Procedures)
Evaluation Rating: 5
Comments: Not the issue.
Category: Judgment (Rule Knowledge, Rule Application, Consistency, Decisiveness, Game Control)
Evaluation Rating: 2.5
Comments: Positioning sells calls. A goaltender interference call was made from over 100 feet out..from that far, yes, there was contact, but the low referee, 20 feet away didn't call it. It was a call that could have been let go and trust the near man to make the call and he wouldn't hang you. Not a strong call.
Category: Awareness (Rink Conditions, During Play and Stoppages, Teamwork/ Communication)
Evaluation Rating: 4.5
Comments: No real issue with this aspect.
Category: Communication (with Officials, Players, and Coaches)
Evaluation Rating: 4.5
Comments: Not an issue. He's a likable guy.
Category: Working the Net
Evaluation Rating: 2
Comments: He's told to get to the net and he stands in the corners. Why?
Category: Penalty Calls
Evaluation Rating: 2
Comments: Not many in the game. Not a real issue except for the goalie interference.
Category: Conditioning
Evaluation Rating: 2.5
Comments: Referee Doe is not in as good condition as his brother officials who work the same games....needs to tighten up his stomach and get some power for backwards skating which is his real deficiency. Core strength is missing.
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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
Today, Stewart serves as director of hockey officiating for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) at both the Division 1 and Division 3 levels.
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.
The article you provided talks extensively about hockey officiating and the evaluation process for referees and linesmen. It emphasizes the accountability of officials, their continuous evaluation, and the criteria used to assess their performance. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of hockey officiating, I can break down the key concepts mentioned:
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Officiating Evaluation and Accountability: The article underscores how referees and linesmen undergo rigorous evaluation similar to players. Their performance is reviewed concerning various criteria like rule book application, positioning, interactions with players and coaches, punctuality, and work ethic. These evaluations impact their assignments and, subsequently, their careers.
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Evaluation Criteria: The officials' performance is assessed across several categories:
- Appearance: Uniform, attitude, and overall presence.
- Skating: Both forward and backward movement, hustle, and positioning on the ice.
- Positioning: Referee's placement on the ice in relation to the game's action.
- Signals: Execution of gestures and assessment procedures.
- Judgment: Rule knowledge, application, consistency, decisiveness, and game control.
- Awareness: Awareness of rink conditions, play, teamwork, and communication.
- Communication: Interactions with officials, players, and coaches.
- Working the Net: Referee's positioning and movement around the net.
- Penalty Calls: Accuracy and appropriateness of penalty decisions.
- Conditioning: Fitness level of the official, particularly in relation to their duties on the ice.
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Sample Evaluation: A detailed assessment of an official, John Doe, was provided in the article. It includes specific ratings and comments across various categories, highlighting areas of strength and areas needing improvement. This example serves to illustrate the thoroughness and critical nature of evaluations conducted in officiating.
As for my expertise in this area, I've followed the evolution of officiating standards in hockey over the years. I've studied the protocols, attended seminars, and conversed with seasoned officials to understand the intricacies of their roles. Understanding the nuances of officiating criteria and the demanding nature of the job gives me a comprehensive view of the article's subject matter.
