This just more of a humorous observation than anything. I am of course a hockey fan. Now, the pompous attitude any true hockey fan takes is that of the triple hat wearer of armchair coach, manager, and president of a team. We often find that we are even arguing with ourselves on whether we should trade a player or not.
That's not neither here nor there as for the topic of this theory.
Now, I am a fan of the Vancouver Canucks. Hold off, I said in my introduction this is not all about flag waving and debating or defending the honor of your favorite team by trashing my favorite team, this is about the zebras.
I am only using the Vancouver Canucks and it's players as an example simply because I watch them play more often than any other team. In truth, there are many teams I like and respect as there are many players who I consider stellar athletes and excellent contributors to the sport of hockey. I repeat not about them, it's about the hand raising, whistle blowing, and hand gesturing refs and linesmen.
Here's the theory. They hate hockey, they hate hockey players. Why? Because they lack the talent to be hockey players and make the big bucks. Therefore with their meager salaries, they pile up their seething dislike for hockey players and the general managers who keep coming up with insane rules and regulations for penalties. Fact is, they would likely go on strike if they removed fighting from hockey. Refs love to see this high paid players knock the crap out of each other. We can only imagine what they whisper in the ears to players as they help them up. "Hey bud, you got creamed, I think that guy wants a shower date." Of course players can't complain, because that's hearsay and the NHL will fine a player for making such public statements against an NHL official.
If you are a fan, you will always feel that you are being wronged by these devious culprits wearing vertical prison garb. They are deceptive with the mood of their calls. Sometimes they appear to have lost their whistles and players start to feel energized and a little more step to their game with a touch more aggression, then oops outs comes that annoying shrill because a player tapped an opponent on the heel of his skate while following him and gets called for slashing.
I can only imagine how in every major city that holds a National Hockey League team there is a small licensed clubhouse with limited membership of a secret society of referees and linesmen where they sit about toasting each other for the disruption they create among players and coaches not to mention the fans. They laugh about their little inner jokes about the red face meter when coaches are spitting venom which they allow for as long as possible, then with glee from time to time eject the coach and penalize the team with a bench penalty.
Referees have no code of conduct. They do not have a governing body that decides their behavior to determine if they hold any prejudice against any particular team, player, or coach. There is no investigating panel to measure their actions. It is simply, they made a good call or oops, they made a bad call, sorry about that. Sure, if there is no clear cut decision by all the on ice officials then they go upstairs for a review, and if they can not conclude it locally then they call Toronto for a decision.
But next time that is done, listen very carefully to what the ref says. He says, "That upon further review, it has been decided that the goal was good/disallowed and play continues" Guess what. It is still the head referee that makes that decision. That is the only time a ref can be called on the carpet is if he goes against what was determined by video experts in Toronto. So, under such situations it is wiser to accept the statement from Toronto.
Now, they are being more tricky and the officials do a huddle, get on the same page and make an on ice decision that everyone is in agreement and what was seen by the referee goes without challenge. Further heating up coaches, players, and fans.
The question is: Why is it we never see recognized hockey players who have been forced into retirement early because of an injury that may have ended their playing career, but not their ability to skate about, become referees?
Would that not make sense? Would they not have a better understanding of the game, and a greater respect for the institution of the game? Please don't give me that it would be because hockey players as refs would show favoritism or vengeance. That doesn't hold water for the simple reason is the one of the most basic knowledge of the game is, you can be traded at the drop of a hat or bought out of your contract and then traded. Hockey players know that their worst enemy could one day end up being their teammate, on the same line, and even roommate on the road. They understand more than anyone about let bygones be bygones. So, in my opinion would make excellent refs.
Then, the thought of Tie Domi as a ref is an eyeopener, instead of breaking up a fight, he would join in. Yikes!
Scratch
