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Scouting The Refs Podcast
Who Wants To Be A Ref?
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 owne 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.
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Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast
Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast
The 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.
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42. It's Over!
24:32||Season 6, Ep. 42After 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.41. No Call in the Cup Final?! No Way!
20:39||Season 6, Ep. 41On 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.40. Stayin' Alive?
24:04||Season 6, Ep. 40Is 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.39. Stanley Cup Final Countdown
22:16||Season 6, Ep. 39Heading into the Stanley Cup Final this week on the #RefsPodcast, with a look at the officials selected to work the championship series between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Expect things to tighten up as penalty minutes are down and power plays are at a premium late in the playoffs.Did the officials miss a penalty on Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid for closing his hand on the puck in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars?A slew of rule changes are coming to college hockey, with the NCAA making tweaks to head contact and hits from behind. They're also changing high-sticks on played pucks and goals to shoulder height; we'll see how that impacts deflections around the crease. They've also decided to stop giving power plays to teams who score on a delayed penalty, now aligning with the NHL rulebook.We've got hardware handed out, with officiating awards in the ECHL, OHL, and WHL -- congrats to Chuck Schamel, Dustin McCrank, and Jeff Ingram -- so why hasn't the NHL jumped on board to recognize their officials?Also, The Hockey Guy -- or, perhaps, The Referee Guy -- gives his take on an NHL official's AMA. -------------------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.38. Mr. Referee, Downgrade This Call!
21:26||Season 6, Ep. 38This week on the #RefsPodcast, we discuss a pair of major penalties that were downgraded after officials' review. The Panthers’ Dmitry Kulikov had a major penalty reduced to a minor for hit on Rangers’ Alex Wennberg and the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba saw his elbowing major on Florida’s Evan Rodrigues dropped to a minor… neither with any explanation as to why the refs felt neither play deserved a major penalty. Remember, those penalty reviews are handled by the refs – not the Situation Room. Player Safety appeared to disagree on the Trouba call, handing out a $5000 fine for the elbow.When teams take two penalties on the same play - as Trouba did - should teams be given the option to choose between a four-minute 5-on-4 or a two-minute 5-on-3? What about giving teams the option to pick between a power play and a penalty shot? Down goes Marchment! The refs thought Mason Marchment embellished a cross-check from the Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman.Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger’s stick made a perfectly legal save on its own, but that’s not always the case. .Should the Panthers have been awarded a penalty shot after New York’s Blake Wheeler hooked Alexander Barkov? Do they even CALL penalty shots in overtime? Florida’s Sam Reinhart gets away with punching New York’s Jacob Trouba at the whistle; no call on the play with Reinhart scoring the overtime winner… should he have been in the box? Also, the Rangers’ Chris Kreider narrowly avoided a misconduct penalty for throwing Matthew Tkachuk’s mouthguard out of play… not that the officials were going to call that one. -------------------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.37. Where's Wes?
20:16||Season 6, Ep. 37This week on the #RefsPodcast, we ask: Where's Wes McCauley? Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid takes an overtime high-sticking penalty that was confirmed via review... but was another penalty missed? Boston Bruins forward Charlie Coyle gives a little 'How do you do' to Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad's undercarriage, with no penalty or fine. Goaltender interference (surprise!) at Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers... and again at Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche... and once more at New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers. Breaking down those plays, the rules, and the maddening 'explanations' we get from the officials and the NHL's Situation Room.Also, we look at Matt Duchene's real impact - and legacy - in the National Hockey League... and more on McCauley's whereabouts and why he's missing his first conference final in over 10 seasons. 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.36. Situation Room: "No goals."
27:27||Season 6, Ep. 36No goal! We’ve got no goal after Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs saves a puck with his glove that might have been over the line… but a good goal for the Florida Panthers’ Sam Bennett after he cross-checked Charlie Coyle into Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman. We also have some goaltender interference on the Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky. No call! Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid gets away with one after he bloodied Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes with an uncalled high stick. How was it missed, and what can the officials do about it afterwards?No control! Chaos ensues after the buzzer at Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks, when a Connor McDavid slash prompts a pair of cross-checks that resulted in a fine to Nikita Zadorov and a suspension for Carson Soucy. Did Player Safety get it right? We’re not quite sure…No video! Florida’s Sam Bennett delivered a sucker-punch that knocked Boston’s Brad Marchand out of the lineup, but no penalty was called… no suspension or fine were offered… and no clear video of the incident was available - until just before the next game. How does that happen?No way! Vancouver’s Elias Petterson picks up a charging penalty for a jumping reverse hit. You don’t see that every day, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a penalty. (Heck, most reverse hits are already interference.)Also, sad news out of Hamilton with the passing of long-time NHL and WHA referee Bill Friday at age 91. 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.35. Everything Running Smoothly
21:44||Season 6, Ep. 35On this week’s #RefsPodcast, we’ve got big hits, mega misconducts, and… who’s that ref?Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn goes unpenalized for a hit on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews - even after a ref review, Carolina Hurricanes’ Tony DeAngelo gets two for a hit on Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers, more goaltender collisions at Canes/Rangers, and some poor goaltender geometry for the Edmonton Oilers’ Stuart Skinner against the Vancouver Canucks. We’ve got a no-call for low-sticking, and a whole bunch of misconduct penalties at Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers.Plus, standby referee Frederick L’Ecuyer subs in at Avs vs. Stars… so where’s Wes McCauley?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.