Confidence, consistency important traits for hockey officials

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When it comes to officiating hockey games, there’s more to the on-ice job than just memorizing the rule book.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/12/2023 (681 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to officiating hockey games, there’s more to the on-ice job than just memorizing the rule book.

“Having confidence, and being consistent from the start of the game to the end, are important traits for hockey officials,” offered veteran referee Brad LaRocque, who recently received a “most deserving” award from Hockey Manitoba for his work in the Westman South area of the province.

Based out of Wawanesa, the retired artillery soldier initially started officiating while posted to CFB Shilo. While his preference was ball hockey officiating because he was still playing hockey, he soon found himself refereeing, too.

Officiating all levels of hockey for the past 15 years, retired artillery soldier Brad LaRocque enjoys working with young referees to bolster their on-ice confidence. He received a most deserving officials award from Hockey Manitoba for his work in the Westman South area. (Jules Xavier/The Brandon Sun)

Officiating all levels of hockey for the past 15 years, retired artillery soldier Brad LaRocque enjoys working with young referees to bolster their on-ice confidence. He received a most deserving officials award from Hockey Manitoba for his work in the Westman South area. (Jules Xavier/The Brandon Sun)

“There was not an abundance of officials doing military hockey,” he recalled. “I love the game, and you need to grow the game by being involved, whether it be a coach, player or referee. I also like to give back to my community I live in, so you can’t complain about the officiating if you are not willing to do it yourself.”

While he’s honoured being recognized for his officiating efforts by Hockey Manitoba — he not only mentors and officiates, he also assigns games in the southwest zone, and does play-by-play for the U18 AAA Southwest Cougars in Souris — his focus each season is to build the officiating numbers.

Hockey associations involved in the “Thank the Stripes” program is a great idea, but for the officials doing games at Wawanesa’s recently revamped arena with a new ice plant, thanking officials should be done for every game they do.

“We recognize our young officials throughout the season,” he said, “not just on one weekend. We especially look after the young officials, our future, doing U9 games. Besides paying them after their games, we’ll also bring them hot chocolate after games. This makes a big difference for those kids.

“This is also a great part-time job for teenagers in rural communities, where the job opportunities are not the same as they would be urban centres like Brandon. In Wawanesa, you can pump gas, work at the ice cream parlour or mow lawns. If you’ve played hockey, then you might want to take up officiating. So, our numbers are up which is good because I’m not going to referee forever.”

Busy most weekends doing all levels of hockey, though he’s backed away from skating senior games this season, LaRocque will strap on his skates and do on-ice mentoring during U9 and U11 games. This is the level of hockey where the young officials need extra positive reinforcement as they navigate applying the rules of the game for the players battling for pucks in the corner.

“It’s important to be out on the ice with them to build up their confidence, but also provide them advice on how to deal with yelling parents or coaches. This can be a crazy game because of the passion for those involved, both on the ice and up in the stands. It’s part of the game, but you don’t want young officials leaving officiating because of it.

“For those kids who choose to referee, you need the older officials to look out for them so they are not subject to bullying and harassment from coaches, players and parents. This can shatter a kids confidence always being told they are garbage on the ice.”

LaRocque acknowledged hockey fans need to realize there are actually three teams on the ice — the two-man, three-man or four-man crews are the other team.

With mentoring now a component of the Hockey Manitoba officiating program, LaRocque said he’s a big believer in working with young officials.

“It’s important to mentor young kids so they want to come back the next season. If they have bad experiences, and there’s no mentoring, then these kids leave. I don’t do this for the money … it’s like a hobby for me. I want the kids I mentor to have a good experience.

For his tireless efforts officiating minor hockey in Brandon at various levels, Hockey Manitoba presented James Montgomery with its most deserving official award.

For his tireless efforts officiating minor hockey in Brandon at various levels, Hockey Manitoba presented James Montgomery with its most deserving official award.

“It’s great to see kids who have played the game, then stay involved if they are no longer playing by becoming a referee.”

Like Shane Hutchings, a second-year land and water management student at Assiniboine Community College, who received a “most improved” award from Hockey Manitoba doing games in Brandon, Carberry, CFB Shilo and Hartney.

While he started officiating five years ago, he’s only focused fully on wearing the stripes the past two seasons after he ended his playing career in the Westman High School Hockey League with the Hamiota Huskies.

“My dad (Rob Hutchings) who also referees, gave me the idea,” he recalled. “I was not good enough to play at higher levels after high school, so I’ve gone full-time just refereeing hockey.”

He’s had his own mentor doing plenty of games with senior official Mike Godfrey to improve on working the lines, and with the advent of January 2024, finally given the opportunity to wear the bands up the middle.

“Mike is such a good referee, how he’s always in position to make the calls,” he said. “Every time I referee with him (on the lines) I learn something from him. He tells me it’s important to be in the right position, so you can make the right call, whether it’s a penalty or offsides at the blue-line.

“I don’t mind pumping the lines right now because I get to watch what the referee is doing, so when I do my first game up the middle I think I will be ready. On the lines you don’t get yelled at as much as the referee.”

Hutchings on-ice work has not gone unnoticed by the Brandon Referees Association, with his selection earlier this fall to be part of a Winnipeg hockey showcase, where elite players gather for identification games, while officials being looked at to do higher level hockey will work together.

This has meant 20-year-old Hutchings is receiving game assignments where he’s now doing the high school league, plus being on the lines for U17 boys, plus U15 AAA boys and girls games.

“It’s great to do those levels because of the calibre of hockey,” he said. “Like the showcase where I learned a ton from working with high-calibre officials, I learn something new every time I’m on the ice for AAA games.”

Brandon senior official Mike Godfrey discusses penalty shot procedure with Crocus Plainsmen goalie Kelsey Dell during a recent high school game at Enns Brothers arena. Godfrey works all levels of hockey, from minor to senior games, plus AAA.

Brandon senior official Mike Godfrey discusses penalty shot procedure with Crocus Plainsmen goalie Kelsey Dell during a recent high school game at Enns Brothers arena. Godfrey works all levels of hockey, from minor to senior games, plus AAA.

Senior officials like LaRocque continue to learn, too, with Hockey Canada constantly reviewing and changing rules.

“As a referee, you can’t be old-school and need to adapt to the changes like the coaches and players,” he said. “We don’t call high sticking anymore. It’s head contact now. Same with elbowing. It’s head contact.

“You need confidence in your understanding of the rules, and how you apply them during a game. You need to be consistent no matter the level of hockey you are doing. It’s still the game of hockey whether you are doing house or rep league games.

“Be courageous … you can’t be afraid to apply the rules no matter the time in the game. The penalty you are calling in the first period you should be calling it in the third. The kids on the ice will appreciate having consistency, so do not be afraid to call a penalty.”

Communication between coaches and players is another good trait for a hockey official, according to LaRocque.

“Players still need to be accountable for their action on the ice, but if you are talking to them when they are fighting for the puck in the corner, they know you are there, so should play within the rules. But don’t put up with any nonsense, so the game does not get out of hand.”

If there’s one frustration as an official LaRocque has since he started wearing the stripes it would be the lack of rule knowledge from coaches, especially when Hockey Canada sends out memos telling coaches about rule changes and what rules will be emphasized during a new hockey season — such as head contact, check from behind and Rule 11 which covers unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive behaviour, spitting, discrimination and physical harassment of officials.

Hockey Canada is asking referees to be particularly sensitive when judging the degree of violence where contact is made with the head, face or neck. The potential for injury is much greater on head contact fouls than with other infractions.

“What frustrates me is officials annually have to certify when it comes to knowing the rule book when we start a new season, but depending on the level of hockey they are doing, coaches only have to certify once. Some coaches don’t realize we are not calling high sticking or elbowing, with the emphasis on head contact. Yes, high sticking is still a stick infraction (at junior and senior hockey Rule 9.5), but now if you receive three head contact penalties you are ejected (Rule 7.6a).”

What traits are important for a hockey official?

“I think a love of the game,” said Carter Baranyk. “Having a good temperament and sound judgement are key traits for any good official.”

For his efforts and on-ice work ethic leading to the move to earning U15 AAA hockey assignments, Brandon sophomore official Shane Hutchings received a most improved official award from Hockey Manitoba.

For his efforts and on-ice work ethic leading to the move to earning U15 AAA hockey assignments, Brandon sophomore official Shane Hutchings received a most improved official award from Hockey Manitoba.

“The ability to communicate under intense pressure would be another trait,” said Ernest Elder. “I think that’s what the really good referees have.”

“Being respectful and staying consistent,” said Gary Paul. “And you need to put in the effort.”

LaRocque lists his seven Cs when it comes to traits for being a good hockey official: conviction, courage, consistency, communication, confidence, compassion and competence.

“If you are following these traits it will only help you as a hockey official,” he said. “And have fun when you are out on the ice. It’s just a game, so enjoy it like the players you are officiating.”

Other officials recognized by Hockey Manitoba include: Brandon’s James Montgomery (most deserving), Jeremy Johnson (most promising); Parkland’s Peter Perreault (most deserving), Jordan Height (most promising) and Aaron Short (most improved); Westman South officials Shane Price (most promising) and Lauren Nay (most improved); Yellowhead’s Jaydon Tait (most deserving), Callie Maguire (most promising) and Victor Lamb (most improved).

» julesxavier@brandonsun.com

» X: @julesxavier59

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