Page 37 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 127

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #127 August 2023 37

Continued from page 36 had Ulf and Kjell Samuelsson. My last second Barnaby sidesteps him, never think about the game until I
supervisor came in before the game but Snow still gives him a blocker was out of the office and heading
calls me and says that there’s a and told me to call the first period to the face. It was chaos, the game for my pre-game meal. If I was
change of plans, instead of going to tight. I called it tight, and he comes ends, all of the players are on the reffing a Bantam or Midget game,
Brockville, go through to Kingston back in between periods and tells ice. I’m not a big linesman, but I I would be thinking about it all
to work the lines at the Kingston me, ‘Good job, now give them a bit had ahold of Barnaby and managed day. In minor hockey, dealing with

Canadians (before they became more leeway in the 2nd.’ I did and he to hang on to him. The NHL official coaches, parents, friends, and all of
the Frontenac’s), game at the old comes back in again saying, ‘Good that was supervising the game came the unknowns is very challenging.
Memorial Center. The OHL crew job, now give them more leeway in in to see me after and said, ‘Good Another issue that is more prevalent
that was coming in to work the game the 3rd.’ I basically put the whistle job out there, I couldn’t believe today is social media. Everything is
was held up due to an accident on the away and they were rocking and that you didn’t let go. You looked taped today, - if it’s not the team doing
401. I had no idea where to go, so I rolling, bodies were flying, it was like a T-shirt on a clothesline on the it, then it’s a fan with their phone.
took my youngest sister, who was pretty exciting stuff. Midway through windiest day of the year.’” A few Everyone is under a microscope.
home from Queens University, with the third period I’m at the end zone years ago, I was reffing a charity There is so much bantering going

me. The regular crew showed up faceoff, bent over with my hands on game at the Complex that Barnaby on over the various forms of social
after the second period, so protocol my knees, like a referee does as the was playing in. I skated over to media that it’s a very tough world to
is that they continue the game, so linesman is getting ready to drop the bench before the puck drop try and stay under the radar.
I showered and I watched the third the puck. Ulf Samuelsson comes by, and said to him, “You don’t know I tell the young kids to get into the
period along the boards. I always slashes my hand holding the whistle me, but the last time I saw you in rule book! There are no excuses for
put my money in my referee’s pants and says, “Give that thing a tweet this building, I had ahold of you not knowing the rules. I take great
rather than leaving it in the room. and see if it works.” down in that corner,” as I pointed pride in knowing the rules and being
Little did I know that when I took towards the Colts dressing room. He
When the Cornwall Aces AHL able to apply them in the spur of the
the money out of my ref’s pants, immediately recalled that fight with
team came to town, Sean was moment. You can always argue that
that I put it into the pocket of the approached by the NHL to be a Garth Snow like it had just happened it was or that it wasn’t a trip, but you
linesman from London. On the fifteen minutes before. We both had
linesman as they needed a few local don’t have a leg to stand on if you
way back to Morrisburg my sister officials. While working in the AHL, a good laugh.” misapply a rule. I also tell them to
suggests that we stop at the Loyalist
Sherbrooke (Montreal Canadiens A few other highlights form make it look like they are interested,
and have a beer. I go to pay for the
farm team,) played a few games Sean’s refereeing career: show some hustle and don’t lean on
beer and I have no money. I had to at the old Montreal Forum so that the boards. There may be a night
call the OHL the following day to • Refereeing the first game in
their fans could watch some up-and- that I would rather not be out there,
explain the situation and hopefully coming prospects. “I’ll never forget Cornwall Colt history. but no one will ever know that from
get my money back, which my • Refereeing the Ottawa Senator
my first game working there,” Sean the stands or from the bench. I try
assignor finally confirmed was now training camp in 1992.
recalled. “The Montreal Canadiens to work hard every night, chat the
in London, - tough start. The off- were returning from a game in players up and make it look like
ice officials in Kingston reminded • Refereed professional roller
Pittsburg and came through our hockey (RHI) in the mid 90’s. there is no other place that I would
me of this incident every time that I room as we were getting ready. I was rather be!
worked a game up there for the next • Being selected to work the
in awe chatting with these guys.”
ten years.” university national championships I count myself fortunate for the
Sean also mentioned that it was friendships that I’ve made and all
In 1993, Sean earned his Level 6 during his time in the AHL that he was a great honor for Sean. Held at of the great people that I have come
Certification. There were only thirty- was involved in his best fight. “The the old Varsity Arena in Toronto, his into contact with through hockey.
two Level 6 officials across Canada Rochester Americans were playing first game featured the University Many of my best friends to this day
and to finalize those credentials the Aces, and Matthew Barnaby of PEI vs the University of Alberta are people that I have met through
Sean had to referee an elite level and Aces goalie Garth Snow were Golden Bears. That was also the refereeing. I’m 60 years old now
hockey game and be supervised by at it all night long. Barnaby was in first game that he officiated on TSN. and still feel the passion when I step
a Hockey Canada official. The game his crease, they were punching and Sean states that the higher the on the ice. I have refereed thousands
was Canada’s Olympic Team vs jawing back and forth all night. With level of hockey that you officiate, of games and I really hope that I can
Team Sweden at the Civic Center in about three seconds left to go in the easier it gets. In the OHL and
remain healthy and that number can
Ottawa. “This was during the NHL the game, Rochester ices the puck. the NHL, the scorers score and the continue to climb. I would welcome
lockout and each team had picked Barnaby is skating down the ice fighter’s fight. You always need to the opportunity to chat with anyone
up a few players from the NHL,” full out and Snow is coming out of be aware of who is on the ice and be
that may be considering giving
Sean recalled. “Glenn Anderson his net, I take the whistle off of my prepared for what probably would refereeing a shot. It’s not for
from the Edmonton Oilers was with fingers because I know that there is happen. If I was working an Ottawa
everyone, but if it is for you, it can
Team Canada that night and Sweden going to be a confrontation. At the 67’s game, I would work all day and be rewarding in so many ways.