An MMHA continuing Spotlight: with this week’s focus: “What Referees Really Do”
If you have ever attended a hockey game on Manitoulin, you will see two or three guys and gals in black and white officiating the game. Sometimes they get yelled at by players, coaches or the crowds, or sometimes nothing is said but rarely do they ever get a thank you.
They are human and make mistakes, like all of us do, and unlike most of us, they get called out about it and a big deal made. They quietly realize their mistake, learn from it and move on.
They get paid, but it isn’t much, they are certainly not doing it for the money, but rather to help out a sport that is in crisis mode for officials.
But there is a whole other story to this group of people who come out game after game, community after community, to referee these young athletes on our island.
What you don’t see is the senior officials travelling on their own time and expense to do on-ice shadowing to all our new and young officials. You don’t see them taking hundreds of emails asking for advice from associations, or clarification or assistance. There is training for the off-ice officials (timekeepers) that you may be unaware of. Communication with coaches and players to educate, make the game flow better and keep everyone safe happens daily.
They often don’t get to stay in their own community, due to the referee shortage. Some officials travel every weekend throughout the Island (and even off-Island to officiate): simply, games would not be played if we did not have these vital components to our important organization.
If you are still unsure: Just to get started to be a referee, it is an investment of approximately $700 of proper attire and clinics. On top of that this is likely going during every MMHA game: An official is no doubt giving tips to the players throughout the whole game—trying to help them improve. They quietly whisper something to them at the face off or as they are skating by. How nice to know there is positive interaction from an official with our players. In every arena it is common to see the officials moving the tyke kids into position, helping them up, carrying them to the bench. This is not part of their job, but rather because they are doing what they can to make the game more fun for all kids.
In other instances you will see the officials, line all the kids up and check to make sure they have their mouth-guards in. That ordinarily is a bench staff task but with the chaos on a modern bench it may be overlooked in certain instances. However with the bottom line-goal: safety they have to ensure that our players are safe on the ice.
Finally, the last situation involves a MMHA referee who has to explain a ruling or call to the coaches, or skate by with an accolade, or take the time to chat with the coaches before the game.
This is part of what makes hockey on Manitoulin so special and coveted amongst the families. Next time you are at a game, be sure to thank a referee!
GNML!
Little Current’s Braedan Case, a fast-skating defenseman, recently helped his ‘AAA’ Nickel Capital Wolves to back-to-back victories. The double-win moved his team into first place in the very competitive, Great North Midget League. Congrats to Braedan as well as parents Terry and Lori.
‘Off the rock’ hockey!
Island girls playing for the Sudbury CWS Midget team earned the Silver Medal in Cambridge. The Sudbury Wolves defeated the Hamilton Hawks 3-1, the Cambridge Teal Roadrunners 2-0 before tying the Cambridge White squad 1-1. Unfortunately, they dropped the Championship game in overtime by a super-close, 5-4 score. Wikwemikong’s own Lawrence Enosse is their assistant coach, while Wikwemikong netminder Dana McLeod was absolutely solid during the duration of the tourney.
LNHL connections
Former Wikwemikong Hawks stalwart Sam Manitowabi has his children carrying on the family hockey tradition. Daughter Jenelle plays goal for the Dakota Lazers of the St. Vital Minor Hockey Association in Winnepeg. She continues a recent trend whereby the Wikwemikong Band has been producing many female goaltenders over the past few years. Son Sam Jr. is a member of the Lac Seul, Midget Jr. Eagles which plays in the Thunder Bay Elks Hockey association. Junior is also a goaltender. Both will be playing in the upcoming Little NHL tournament during the March break. This huge tourney will be held in Mississauga and draws First Nations teams from every corner of Ontario. Jenelle will be playing for Wasauksing while Sam Jr. will be bolstering a Wikwemikong Midget squad. It is always amazing to see the connections that allow for so many local players find themselves participating in this amazingly inclusive experience.
Curling FUNspiel!
Victim Services is hosting its great, third annual event coming up at the end of this month. Saturday, February 27 at the Espanola Curling Club marks the annual hosting of this important spiel. Teams of four ($100) or singles ($25) are encouraged to register by calling Elly or Ashley at either 705-370-3378 or 866-392-7733 to secure the quickly disappearing spots. The day includes a collegial potluck dinner with many chances at many draw-prizes. All proceeds will be used this year to assist victims of crime and tragic circumstance under direction of the former VICARS moniker, now known as Victim Services. To contact the organization electronically email them at: victimservices@vianet.ca
My Dad took in the St. Lawrence University versus Colgate hockey game on TSN 2, Friday night. Former Panthers’ star Michael Laidley is a rookie member of the St. Lawrence Saints. He was impressed by both the speed and structure of both teams. Michael’s Saints pulled off a 4 – 2 victory (which included an empty net goal to seal the deal).In an end to end continuous flow game Michael demonstrated excellent two-way and was particularly prominent on the defensive side of the puck. He is one of the very top plus-minus players on the Canton, New York squad and thus was on the ice throughout the final shift when Colgate stormed the Saints’ net for the equalizer. Congratulations to Michael (and parents Shane and Beryl) on a fine Division One (E.C.A.C.) game that resulted in a well-earned victory. He was extremely impressive playing against players two and three years older than himself. Take note of the potentialities all present-day Manitoulin Panthers.
A good sport is good for sports.
705-377-6018 – chipstoquips@gmail.com
