Scouting The Refs Podcast

Let the coaches’ challenges begin! One week into the season, we’ve already seen challenges for goaltender interference, offside, and missed stoppages. We’ve got two minutes to Detroit Red Wings’ Christian Fisher for breaking his stick after an icing.  Brendan Dillon of the New Jersey Devils sees his major penalty for interference on Buffalo’s J.J. Peterka reduced to a minor, a Kraken goal from Jamie Oleksiak wiped out for an offside, Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller answers the bell and eventually drops the gloves against Calgary’s Anthony Mantha after a clean hit injures Flames forward Kevin Rooney.Linesman Devin Berg takes a hard slash to the arm from Boston Bruins’ Max Jones, who picks up two for unsportsmanlike but avoids a penalty for physical abuse of officials.  Plus, a near-goal that didn’t quite beat the buzzer…   on this week’s #RefsPodcast.-------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

Game on! The regular season is officially here. We've got goaltender interference in Columbus, possible penalty reviews, and ECHL rulebook adjustments.Toronto Maple Leafs' Cedric Pare's knee-on-knee hit on Montreal Canadiens' Patrik Laine, and the aftermath with Arber Xhekaj going after Pare and picking up instigator, aggressor, and fighting penalties along with a $3,385 fine. Xhekaj also made headlines - and picked up a major penalty - for a high hit on Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators; did the refs and the league make the right call on that play? Plus, one more case of revenge on this week's #RefsPodcast, as both Nikita Kucherov and Conor Geekie sought vengeance against Florida Panthers prospect Josh Davies for a clean, legal hit on Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman. Kucherov earned a minor penalty, while Geekie picked up 2-5-10 and a one game suspension for leaving the bench to start an altercation. -------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

On this week's #RefsPodcast: Cal Foote suspended by Slovakia, OHL adds 24 new officials, moving from lines to ref, Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin goes headhunting on Chicago Blackhawks’ A.J. Spellacy, New York Rangers’ Brennan Othmann delivers an unpenalized blindside hit on Boston Bruins’ Parker Wotherspoon who eventually picks up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for throwing his helmet.A Philadelphia Flyers goal is disallowed against the Montreal Canadiens despite no actual interference on any goaltenders on the play. Plus, the OMHA and GTHL are expanding the ‘green armbands’ initiative for younger and newer hockey officials. Remember, no refs, no games! Todd and Josh also talk about referee jerseys and officials’ trading cards.-------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

Wrapping up NHL Officials training camp, the NHL releases a rule change update video, and QMJHL officiating updates.   Todd and Josh go through The Athletic’s recent player survey covering the NHL standings, overtime, shootout goals, and post-game ref press availability. Plus, should the NHL’s Department of Player Safety set minimum standards for suspensions? -------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

Getting ready for the upcoming 2024-25 National Hockey League season with a review of the rule changes, including a big one that will allow Coach's Challenges for puck-over-glass delay of game penalties, along with Ryan Getzlaf joining former teammate George Parros in the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Todd and Josh look back at the retiring officials, the promotions, and the two new hires joining the NHL officiating ranks: Alex Lepkowski and Liam Maaskant. The latest stripes both spent time playing in the OHL and USports, suiting up with the Acadia Axemen for four seasons before moving to officiating. Who better to weigh in on the NHL's latest officials than the man who coached them? Acadia University men's hockey coach Darren Burns joins us to learn about the league's latest additions, including what they were like on and off the ice. -------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

Recently retired NHL referee Kevin Pollock picks up a new gig as the Ontario Hockey Association’s Director of Officiating, summer camps are underway including the NHL’s second trip to Europe for a Summer Officiating Combine and the upcoming NHL Officiating Exposure Combine in Buffalo.NHL stripes are keeping busy with their own camps and charitable ventures, like linesman Steve Barton’s charity golf tournament. The AHL hands out some more hardware with Shaun Davis picking up the Michael Condon Award while the ECHL hands out some more assignments as the league moves to have 50% of games officiated by a two-referee system for 2024-25.Rule changes in Canada as Hockey Canada mandates full face protection for Under-18 players and western Canadian leagues adopt the WHL rulebook. Speaking of safety, Todd and Josh look back at some of the last helmetless officials, including Mick McGeough and - of course - Kerry Fraser.-------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

After 259 days and 1,400 games, the 2023-24 NHL season is finally over! We look back at Games 6 and 7 of the Stanley Cup Final:Game 6: The Edmonton Oilers win a critical offside challenge against the Florida Panthers. That one took guts... but should we even be reviewing plays that close? What about 'the spirit of the rule'? Where's the line? Also, Florida's Sam Bennett gets dumped right before an Oilers goal, with no call on the play. Should there have been one?Game 7: With only three penalties in the game, each one was huge -- including two minutes to the Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk for tripping as he slid into - and took out - the Oilers' Warren Foegele. Should the refs be calling this at all? Especially in a Game 7? Why does that matter?The NHL's new rules are coming for 2024-25, including puck over glass challenges and penalties for sitting on the boards. We'll break down the changes and their possible impacts to the game. The ECHL makes some promotions and expands their officiating management team, with longtime NHL linesman Tim Nowak and former AHL/ECHL/IIHF referee Tim Mayer joining Riley Yerkovich. Also, USA Hockey taps ref Andrew Bruggeman as their Coordinator of Youth Officiating Development. Wes McCauley give us a history lesson on hand signals - via the Big Whistle Bill Chadwick - as part of the NHL's American Sign Language Stanley Cup Final broadcast. Another year of Hockey Hall of Fame Inductions without an official heading in. Kerry Fraser is long overdue. #VoteKerry-------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

On this week's #RefsPodcast, we roll through Games 4 and 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers!Game 4: Edmonton's Darnell Nurse has a kneeing major penalty downgraded to a two-minute minor... but was there embellishment on the play? And can we make a rule change that'll help the refs when there is? No penalty on a hit by the Panthers' Kyle Okposo on Leon Draisaitl - nor should there be. No penalty on an Anton Lundell hit on Edmonton's Cody Ceci - nor should there be. Florida's Aaron Ekblad delivered a hit from behind into the boards on the Oilers' Warren Foegele with no penalty called.... okay, on this one, there should've been a call. Game 5: Florida's Sam Bennett gets away with charging on Dylan Holloway... and Bennett also gets away with clear goaltender interference on the Oilers' Stuart Skinner, who was clearly in the blue paint at the time of the collision -- not that it matters in this case. We'll explain why. Holloway and Matthew - not Keith - Tkachuk both go off on a hook and a dive, respectively. It looked like the right call at the time, but video evidence might give Tkachuk the benefit of the doubt here on a possible trip on the play. Watch the wobble. The Panthers' run 14-0-1 run - 5-0 in the playoffs - under referee Dan O'Rourke comes to an end.-------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. 

Is this the final day for the Stanley Cup Final? Can the Edmonton Oilers stay alive? With the Florida Panthers holding a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, we look back at what's happened thus far in the Cup Final.Game 1: Oilers' Henrique boards Panthers' Ekman-Larsson, Sam Bennett runs over Connor McDavid, and Sergei Bobrovsky gets a whistle with the puck under his pad.Game 2: Edmonton's Warren Foegele picks up a major and a game for kneeing Florida's Eetu Luostarinen, Leon Draisaitl takes out Sasha Barkov with a leaping elbow, Carrick fined for a slash to the ol' twig-and-berries, and a controversial puck-over-glass non-call that saw fans debating the definition of 'contact'Game 3: Referee Steve Kozari encourages Corey Perry to have a seat; Perry shares his thoughts. We also look back on Kozari enforcing a fair standard of play and a peek at the NHL's Playoff Rulebook this week on the Scouting the Refs Podcast. #refspodcast-------------------Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcastQuestions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcastThe Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.