Paul Stewart: NHL Officials: Americans Still Have a Tough Time Being Hired

Not hiring the best officials is bad business and we see the results with this at various times - (Boston/Pittsburgh, Buffalo/Ottawa hit to Girgensons Head which Cowan was suspended 2 games the next day but no penalty....)- very interesting and fact based article. I really enjoy reading your blog. You are a great/brilliant addition to Hockeybuzz.

Wow very eye opening. No wonder officiating sucks how can you be a supervisor to on ice officials but never have any experience!? That blows my mind and it's terrible that almost all officials are chosen by some old boys club.

I could go on and on about how this frustrates me. I by no means have the talent to be a NHL official however, I enjoy my officiating career in the NCAA ranks. I work with several guys that if given the shot would make the NHL better. One in particular was in the show and wasn't given a fair shake. Such is life as an American dominated by Canadians but need the American dollar. Gotta love it

Excellent blog, Stewie, and an issue that should certainly be addressed and corrected by the NHL. With both the league's head offices (New York City) and 77% (23 of 30) of its teams based in the US, there should absolutely be a very much larger percentage of US born on ice officials as well. Perhaps Secretary of State John Kerry, himself a life long amateur hockey player who is still active at age 70, should have the Department of State again put it to the NHL to treat US citizens fairly in this matter.


Secretary of State John Kerry on the ice with former Boston Bruin Lyndon Byers

It seems to me that if the Russian-based KHL operating in a far more nationalistic nation than the US is comfortable, open minded, and smart enough to have you Stewie, an American, in a position of such high responsibility in its officiating operation, what possible excuse does the NHL have to have so few?

As for US born NHL supervisors, Springfield, MA, native Kevin Collins, a veteran of more then 2,000 games as an NHL linesman, has been a supervisor for quite a few years since his retirement although I have not seen him at any games this year. Has he retired from that as well now Stewie?

Wow! Americans complaining about being mistreated by Canadians. Next thing you know they will be complaining that we do a better job with healthcare. Give me a break. Ian sure as are the thing you hated most was players and coaches whining that they'd were being treated unfairly.

Good stuff Paul...

IMO and it has been this way for a long time...

The talent pool is low and needs to restocked.

It will never happen but it would be better to get rid of 40% of current crew and go back to 1 ref and then wait for the talent pool to grow.

Thanks. That explains why they never improve and remain stagnant.

Nice write up, very interesting indeed. How about this, the nhl head office moves back to canada where it belongs, you fire the anti canadian commish, and then and only then will there be more american refs. Good deal?

Nice write up, very interesting indeed. How about this, the nhl head office moves back to canada where it belongs, you fire the anti canadian commish, and then and only then will there be more american refs. Good deal?
- munky123

You're goofy.

Nice write up, very interesting indeed. How about this, the nhl head office moves back to canada where it belongs, you fire the anti canadian commish, and then and only then will there be more american refs. Good deal?
- munky123

how about this

Wow! Americans complaining about being mistreated by Canadians. Next thing you know they will be complaining that we do a better job with healthcare. Give me a break. Ian sure as are the thing you hated most was players and coaches whining that they'd were being treated unfairly.
- rlcmulligan

Is that why many older Canadians move to Florida and Arizona for their MRIs?

To the second point, there's nothing in it for me to speak up. I had my 1,010 games in the NHL and I'm 61 years old. I just want to see the good of the game served and for some deserving people get a fair chance to the do the same -- which, sadly, they probably won't.

90% of all NHL officials being Canadian-born seems like a really odd statistic given the player stats you've cited, Paul. The NHL's own site says there are 768 active NHL players this year. 408 of those are Canadian, 187 are American, and 173 from every other country. It makes the complete lack of international refs really stand out.
I'd hope that the league might see these numbers as being unsustainable and begin diversifying the ranks of the refs to match their makeup more closely to that of the players, but the league's done some screwy things. Casting a wider net for referees with potential and you could really improve the overall quality of refereeing worldwide if the international refs thought they might have a shot in the NHL. I'd think they'd relish the opportunity to contribute to the sport on its highest stage, much as the international players do.

how about this
- dprice818

Why? I see it as this being like the head office for MLB being in toronto... makes no sense.

many Americans dont want to accept it, but its Canada's game, like baseball and football being america's passtime. Canadian teams are in the top for revenue, they drive the market, 65% of the league is made up of Canadians and to top it off most coaching staff and managers are Canadian, all the way down to pro scouts and agents. Its a religion here. To me the head office should be back in mtl or in toronto. the commish should have an expiry date and imo should be a canadian, at least the next one. you feel slighted because of the fact good american officails arent given a chance, well imagine how many caucks feel seeing a turkey run their game and having it based out of the states, when its not even in the top 3 for major sports in the US. Look at how many Canadians run/coach/manage/scout for European teams, or play for European national teams as exports... the US national team has how many players who come from Canadian decent... 5-6? ( takling about jr's to the olympic teams)

That said im all for having more nationalities when it comes to officiating. No question better representation is needed, and i hope that some of the many great officials south of the border should have their day in the big leagues.

]Is that why many older Canadians move to Florida and Arizona for their MRIs?

To the second point, there's nothing in it for me to speak up. I had my 1,010 games in the NHL and I'm 61 years old. I just want to see the good of the game served and for some deserving people get a fair chance to the do the same -- which, sadly, they probably won't.

i find the bolded part rather unfortunate mr stewart. it shows you have a lack of understanding when it comes to socialism, and the whole debate in general.

To get proper health care or seen by a doctor is a RIGHT, not an economic privilege. while ill agree our system is not perfect and that it does have its issues, the main principle that people of all classes have equal right to health care is a huge step forward in social advancement. My dad had a liver transplant, a surgery that costs around 350K, we were 4 boys on a single income, my mom works with disable adults and my dad the breadwinner, a teacher/hockey coach. a surgery like that would have bankrupted us and my dad would have died, leaving my mom to raise 4 boys on a minimal salary. The system worked for him and he went on to live 17 years, enough to get us all thru school and to be as productive as he could. The argument that Americans have " insurance" to cover such events, is ludicrous. First off, many of these said companies are the reason we have the great economical crash that we did. corrupt and greedy! secondly that insurance companies find sooooo many loopholes to disallow the claim that many families are left with 100 of thousand of dollars of debt that end uup ruining them.

These snow birds or people you speak of have money, and dont want to wiat for treatment, so they go south. who cares, as far as im concerned america can yuse all the help they can get, take some of our money, you need it. its bankrupt and probably in one of the worst economic spots in its history. the point you made has opened a very real and ongoing debate amongst Canadians regarding a 2 tier health care system. something that im more or less for, but with certain reservations. People that want to spend the money for immediate treatment, should have the right to it. People that cant afford it, have our public system to rely on. a public system that is rather good and efficient. the whole obama care debate in the US and its opposition is a farce imo. america seems to be regressing rather than moving forward with some of the most basic fundamentals....

Mr. Stewart, i meant it as a throw away comment, but I guess I would say your response to me about the MRI's is the typical uniformed response of an American who has access to care and for some reason is afraid they will lose it if everyone gets it too. As a public school teacher in the USA, I see plenty of folks without access who would love to have the money you have for healthcare.

How many Canadian NFL officials are there? How many Canadian baseball umpires, NBA refs? Finally ask the folks in Quebec and Winnipeg if they think the NhL is biased towards Canadians. Were you writing blogs on their behalf when they lost their teams?

Why? I see it as this being like the head office for MLB being in toronto... makes no sense.

many Americans dont want to accept it, but its Canada's game, like baseball and football being america's passtime. Canadian teams are in the top for revenue, they drive the market, 65% of the league is made up of Canadians and to top it off most coaching staff and managers are Canadian, all the way down to pro scouts and agents. Its a religion here. To me the head office should be back in mtl or in toronto. the commish should have an expiry date and imo should be a canadian, at least the next one. you feel slighted because of the fact good american officails arent given a chance, well imagine how many caucks feel seeing a turkey run their game and having it based out of the states, when its not even in the top 3 for major sports in the US. Look at how many Canadians run/coach/manage/scout for European teams, or play for European national teams as exports... the US national team has how many players who come from Canadian decent... 5-6? ( takling about jr's to the olympic teams)

That said im all for having more nationalities when it comes to officiating. No question better representation is needed, and i hope that some of the many great officials south of the border should have their day in the big leagues.




i find the bolded part rather unfortunate mr stewart. it shows you have a lack of understanding when it comes to socialism, and the whole debate in general.

To get proper health care or seen by a doctor is a RIGHT, not an economic privilege. while ill agree our system is not perfect and that it does have its issues, the main principle that people of all classes have equal right to health care is a huge step forward in social advancement. My dad had a liver transplant, a surgery that costs around 350K, we were 4 boys on a single income, my mom works with disable adults and my dad the breadwinner, a teacher/hockey coach. a surgery like that would have bankrupted us and my dad would have died, leaving my mom to raise 4 boys on a minimal salary. The system worked for him and he went on to live 17 years, enough to get us all thru school and to be as productive as he could. The argument that Americans have " insurance" to cover such events, is ludicrous. First off, many of these said companies are the reason we have the great economical crash that we did. corrupt and greedy! secondly that insurance companies find sooooo many loopholes to disallow the claim that many families are left with 100 of thousand of dollars of debt that end uup ruining them.

These snow birds or people you speak of have money, and dont want to wiat for treatment, so they go south. who cares, as far as im concerned america can yuse all the help they can get, take some of our money, you need it. its bankrupt and probably in one of the worst economic spots in its history. the point you made has opened a very real and ongoing debate amongst Canadians regarding a 2 tier health care system. something that im more or less for, but with certain reservations. People that want to spend the money for immediate treatment, should have the right to it. People that cant afford it, have our public system to rely on. a public system that is rather good and efficient. the whole obama care debate in the US and its opposition is a farce imo. america seems to be regressing rather than moving forward with some of the most basic fundamentals....
- munky123

I don't care who's game it is or about having a quota....Until the rule book and the officiating is improved the game won't reach the popularity it should in the States.

...And that would be a shame because the pool of viewers here dwarfs Canada and most don't care if it is considered a Canadian game.

Like I said the talent pool is low and has been that way for years. There's a shortage of refs at just about every level.

Why? I see it as this being like the head office for MLB being in toronto... makes no sense.

many Americans dont want to accept it, but its Canada's game, like baseball and football being america's passtime. Canadian teams are in the top for revenue, they drive the market, 65% of the league is made up of Canadians and to top it off most coaching staff and managers are Canadian, all the way down to pro scouts and agents. Its a religion here. To me the head office should be back in mtl or in toronto. the commish should have an expiry date and imo should be a canadian, at least the next one. you feel slighted because of the fact good american officails arent given a chance, well imagine how many caucks feel seeing a turkey run their game and having it based out of the states, when its not even in the top 3 for major sports in the US. Look at how many Canadians run/coach/manage/scout for European teams, or play for European national teams as exports... the US national team has how many players who come from Canadian decent... 5-6? ( takling about jr's to the olympic teams)

That said im all for having more nationalities when it comes to officiating. No question better representation is needed, and i hope that some of the many great officials south of the border should have their day in the big leagues.




i find the bolded part rather unfortunate mr stewart. it shows you have a lack of understanding when it comes to socialism, and the whole debate in general.

To get proper health care or seen by a doctor is a RIGHT, not an economic privilege. while ill agree our system is not perfect and that it does have its issues, the main principle that people of all classes have equal right to health care is a huge step forward in social advancement. My dad had a liver transplant, a surgery that costs around 350K, we were 4 boys on a single income, my mom works with disable adults and my dad the breadwinner, a teacher/hockey coach. a surgery like that would have bankrupted us and my dad would have died, leaving my mom to raise 4 boys on a minimal salary. The system worked for him and he went on to live 17 years, enough to get us all thru school and to be as productive as he could. The argument that Americans have " insurance" to cover such events, is ludicrous. First off, many of these said companies are the reason we have the great economical crash that we did. corrupt and greedy! secondly that insurance companies find sooooo many loopholes to disallow the claim that many families are left with 100 of thousand of dollars of debt that end uup ruining them.

These snow birds or people you speak of have money, and dont want to wiat for treatment, so they go south. who cares, as far as im concerned america can yuse all the help they can get, take some of our money, you need it. its bankrupt and probably in one of the worst economic spots in its history. the point you made has opened a very real and ongoing debate amongst Canadians regarding a 2 tier health care system. something that im more or less for, but with certain reservations. People that want to spend the money for immediate treatment, should have the right to it. People that cant afford it, have our public system to rely on. a public system that is rather good and efficient. the whole obama care debate in the US and its opposition is a farce imo. america seems to be regressing rather than moving forward with some of the most basic fundamentals....
- munky123

Your ignorance is amusing. Everything you say, and I mean everything...all of it...is nonsense. Mao would be proud of you though...good on you, I guess.

Is that why many older Canadians move to Florida and Arizona for their MRIs?

To the second point, there's nothing in it for me to speak up. I had my 1,010 games in the NHL and I'm 61 years old. I just want to see the good of the game served and for some deserving people get a fair chance to the do the same -- which, sadly, they probably won't.
- Paul Stewart

Stupid statement.

I don't care who's game it is or about having a quota....Until the rule book and the officiating is improved the game won't reach the popularity it should in the States.

...And that would be a shame because the pool of viewers here dwarfs Canada and most don't care if it is considered a Canadian game.

Like I said the talent pool is low and has been that way for years. There's a shortage of refs at just about every level.
- Al

Thats fair. The first bit is just a matter of opinion. In no way do I think that the US is not a major part of the success of the NHL. In fact many great changes have come under bettmans reign. I was more commenting on a pure emotional level. It would be nice to feel like canada isnot second fiddle to the states when it comes to major decisions regarding the direction of the NHL. Id also like to see the commish sort of have an expiry date and a new one come in. Fresh ideas fresh face etc. No disrespect, but I think most people would agrree that if mlb's head office and the main core of its staff were canadian there may be some frustration.. Same for the nhl. It being in ny staffed with mostly americans with american interests make tit sometimes a tpugh pill to swallow. Speaking on pride alone. I dont question their intgrety or drive to make the game better. Id like to see it happen with a bit more canadian flare thats all.

Your ignorance is amusing. Everything you say, and I mean everything...all of it...is nonsense. Mao would be proud of you though...good on you, I guess.
- Ogilthorpe2

In what sense is what I said ignorant? Ill give it to you, a bit emotional sure, biased maybe, butbhardly ignorant. I was commenting on an ignorant comment. That said I dont need to prove anything to you and judging by the tone of your comment you were trying to cut deep because I put in some personal details in my post. Doesnt bother me at all... to mee the fact you couldnt understand what was being written tells me you are of the group of people who are the problem. Mao, really? Hahahahaha youre rich. Tell me anothe funny one bro. Btw half my fam is amurican, im well aware of its situation. Not to mention its economic state. I will apologize for my poor grammer and sentence structure, I wrote it on a phone. Im telling you this because u seem pety enough to call me out on it. You must must love ann coulter....