Edmonton Hockey Magazine Spring 2013 Issue by Suggitt Publishers

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 16

QUIKCARD EDMONTON MINOR HOCKEY WEEK

Publisher’s Message

2013 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championship Schedule QUIKCARD EDMONTON MINOR HOCKEY WEEK

11.

Sam Gagner: Ready to Reach the Next Level By Rob Suggitt

16. Memories from a Good Old Fashioned Shinny Game 18. Spotlight on an Official By Rob Suggitt

23. When the Ice Melts By DT Baker 26. First Year NHL Referee Graham Skilliter By Rob Suggitt 30. Wendy’s Arena Locator Map 32. Gold Medal Winning Teams 56. Off Ice Training for the Off-Season By Terry Skidnuk

The North Seera Titans hoist the coveted Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week trophy after winning gold in the Peewee Shave Division. Hockey Edmonton Magazine

At Tim Hortons, if we can’t serve our premium blend coffee within twenty minutes of brewing it, we won’t serve it at all. That’s why we write the time on the pot, whenever we brew a fresh one. It’s how you know that you’ll always get a great-tasting cup of coffee. Always.

MESSAGE FROM HOCKEY EDMONTON Congratulations to Terry Brown, the 2013 Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week organizing committee and their cast of thousands for creating a 50th edition event that we can all be proud of. Also, congratulations to the 2013 Champions, it’s an accomplishment and memory that you’ll treasure for decades. The Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week celebration was a great addition to this annual fixture. It was so nice to see volunteers from the past five decades present to share in the press conference and the presentation of the Wayne Gretzky Scholarships to three worthy recipients – Tyler Weiss, Daniel Spatafora and Sean Savage. We look forward to seeing all of you again in 2014. We hope you had a chance to view live and if not ‘PVR’ Home Town Advantage. Our initial foray into television documentaries would not have been possible without the vision and uncompromising leadership of Leslie Thompson, Melanie Sorenson, Lance Corbett (all of CityTV) and Dean Heuman (Focus Communications); as well as the support of the sponsors of Home Town Advantage – ATB Financial, North East Sports Council, South East Edmonton Recreation Association, Knights of Columbus and Jiffy Lube. For those that want a memorial DVD please contact the Hockey Edmonton office. On behalf of our coaches and the hockey players they work with, our thanks are extended to the Edmonton Oilers and especially the Edmonton Oil Kings for their leadership and continued support of amateur hockey through fundraising initiatives like the 50-50 programs and even more so the hosting and involvement of so many of our teams on a nightly basis. The in-game experiences contribute greatly to our teams’ development and, no doubt, are memorable for all. The Third Annual Stollery Family Day Classic was even more outstanding than the first two. We appreciate the opportunity to partner in an event that is completely focused on children, families, active living and good health; and promotes awareness and support for the Stollery Children’s Hospital among our youth and community at large. The coverage and on-site presence of our media community is greatly appreciated. Portions of the event proceeds support the Hockey Edmonton SFour Individual Skills initiative that more than quadrupled in volume this past season thanks to a dedicated crew of instructors lead by Wayne Troock, Eric Thurston, Jason Strudwick and a host of others. Thanks to Steve Serdachny, the SFDC committee, all the SFDC volunteers as well as the Stollery Children’s Hospital staff and volunteers who helped to make this event successful and contribute to our community in so many ways. As we wrap-up our season with the traditional playoffs we’re also getting ready to host the annual Timbits Jamboree at TCRC on March 15-17. This year’s Jamboree features 112 teams and a try-hockey day for those prospective Timbits athletes. Hockey Edmonton is heavily vested in Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships this season – hosting Female Bantam A (March 14-17 at Castledowns) and Midget AAA Minor (March 21-24 at TCRC and Bill Hunter). As well our Peewee Tier 2, Bantam Tiers 1 and 2, and Midget Tiers 1 and 2 teams move from the traditional Edmonton – Calgary Championships into the Investors Group Hockey Alberta Provincials that our Peewee Tier 1 and EGHA teams have traditionally participated in. Good luck to all. As we near the end of the season, our Strategic Planning Committee is preparing to report to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Our Ice Allocators, Development Team and association executives are working diligently on our new ice standards and allocations process. Simultaneously we are gathering member input that will allow us to better shape and deliver our various hockey programs and initiatives. Thanks to all the volunteers that have been involved in one or more of these processes and to each of you who has responded to our member survey. Long Term Athlete Development continues to be discussed by all sports in Canada as the basis for the optimal training and competition kids need to enjoy sport the most and perform their best. Hockey Canada’s Long Term Player Development draws upon Sport Canada’s LTAD Resource Paper “Canadian Sport for Life” and is a ninestage model based on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children and adolescents. Each stage reflects a different point in developing the player with the first four stages emphasizing physical literacy and a broad range of sport experiences. The next five stages focus on development and competitive excellence. Hockey Edmonton will be active in this area; from facilitation of educational sessions, through program review and inclusion of LTAD principles in new standards of play. These LTAD principles are core to all current and future Hockey Edmonton program decisions. We aim to create quality programs that teach the fundamentals and techniques of hockey, while promoting and upholding the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play. We do this with the selfless dedication of thousands of volunteers. Thank you to all coaches, managers, referees, volunteers and parents for another great year of hockey. Your contributions, again this year, have been invaluable. Best wishes and continued success,

Respectfully, Betty Chmilar President, Hockey Edmonton

2012-2013 Executive and League Directors 10618 - 124 St., Edmonton, AB T5N 1S3 Ph: (780) 413-3498 • Fax: (780) 440-6475

www.hockeyedmonton.ca To contact any of the Executive or Standing Committees please visit our website

President: Betty Chmilar Past President: Lorne MacDonald VP Admin: Mark Doram VP Operations: Vacant VP Development: Chris Hurley Treasurer: Barry Bentz Junior Chairman: George Metez Federation Chairman: Kasey Kozicky AA Chairman: Jerry Rossiter General Manager: Dean Hengel Administrator: Loree Dawson Finance: Sharon Fleming

Standing Committees Hockey Alberta Director(s): Paul Schmidt | Lorne MacDonald Hockey Alberta Manager of Operations: Betty Chmilar Hockey Edmonton Alumni President: Orest Zaozirny Registrar: Nadine Shimizu Ice: Bernie Coderre Discipline Chair: Marg Brownoff Minor Hockey Week Chair: Terry Brown School Hockey: Jason Stewart Referee Representatives: Herman Costa (AA) | Duncan MacDougall (Federation)

League Directors

Federation Hockey Council League Directors Midget: Terry Fulmer Bantam: Art Wilson Pee Wee: Crystal Feader Atom: Judy/Kevin Nitz Novice: Kasey Kozicky Initiation: Steve Sweeney

Hockey Edmonton Recreational League Directors: Greg Goss | Brett Finch

AA Council League Directors Bantam AA: Russ Lukawesky Bantam AAA: Debbie Blais Midget AA: Earl Reid Major Midget AAA: Bob Olynyk Minor Midget AAA: Greg Blais Rem 15 Minor Midget AA: Brian Backstrom

Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week Committee Chairperson: Terry Brown Past Chairpersons: Joan Kirillo and Rod McMahon Vice Chairperson: Bill Renshaw Committee: Treasurer: Deb Bykowski Secretary: Ana Bennett Marketing: Dean Heuman Central: Bill Ross Schedules: Ron Sollanych, Darrell Davis, Doug Lememayer Discipline: Marg Brownoff Sponsorship: Marvin Babiuk

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE Welcome to our final edition of the Hockey Edmonton Magazine for the 2012-2013 season. It was a special year for Hockey Edmonton, with the 50th anniversary of Minor Hockey Week taking place in January. We have included the photos of the gold medal winning teams (68 in all) in this issue, along with a photo-spread featuring memories from Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. We have also included “Spotlights” featuring a few of the players who helped their team win gold, and a special “Spotlight” on a team who were successful in this special annual tournament. In each edition of the magazine, we feature a young hockey official in our “Spotlight on an Official.” For this issue, we met up with 18-yearold Suzanne Sawatski who has been officiating minor hockey games for four years. It’s important to remember (and be reminded) that the officials you see on the ice have a human face. Like the players, they are involved in the minor hockey game for fun and experience. And like the players, they do their best, but hockey (playing or officiating) is not done with perfection. For parents and fans of the game, we should be positive and supportive, and remember that minor hockey is for the kids involved in the game, and that it is a game after all. Some officials and players do make it to the next level though (the NHL), and we met up with an fine example of each. Graham Skilliter was in Edmonton in January to officiate his very first NHL game, and we chatted with him about what it takes to be an NHL referee. And on the player side, we have a feature interview with Oilers star forward Sam Gagner, who we talked to in late February. Gagner is off to a great start this season. While it’s his sixth NHL season, he is only 23 years-old, so the future is bright for Gagner. It all starts with minor hockey, and while few players make the dream to play in the NHL, it’s a great experience for all who participate. Thanks to the many who volunteer their time (coaches, managers, organizers, etc.) – without you, it would not be possible. To everyone in minor hockey, we wish you the best as the season wraps up! Have a great off-season, and see you in a few months!

Credits President and Publisher Rob Suggitt Vice President Stephen Kathnelson Art Director Christine Kucher Graphic Designer Cole McKelvie Contributing Writers DT Baker Rob Suggitt | Terry Skidnuk Cover Photo Provided by Epic Photography Copy Editing Shari Narine Photography Credits SC Parker Photography Andy Devlin - Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club © Special Thanks To: Andy Devlin, Kevin Radomski and Shawn May with The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club for their assistance with the Sam Gagner feature interview Ian Jackson with Epic Photography Administration Amber Grmek Playhouse Publications Ltd. also publishes the Citadel Theatre Playbill, Edmonton Opera Playbill, Arden Theatre Playbill, Fringe Theatre Adventures Arts at the Barns Magazine and the Calgary Opera Program #950, Bell Tower, 10104 - 103 Ave., Edmonton, AB T5J 0H8 Ph: 780-423-5834 • Fax: 780-413-6185 The Hockey Edmonton Magazine is a product of Playhouse Publications Ltd., an affiliate of Suggitt Group Ltd.

President & CEO Tom Suggitt President & CFO Rob Suggitt All rights reserved. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher or Hockey Edmonton. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. www.Suggitt.com Printed by: R.R. Donnelley

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

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Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Sam Gagner is off to the best start of his NHL career, tallying a point per game for the first seventeen games in this shortened NHL season. We met up with Gagner just prior to the Oilers 9-game road trip in late February and early March, so by the time this is printed, we will know if Gagner has continued with his early pace, and what kind of an impact this has made on the team’s success. For those who are a bit surprised with Gagner’s success this season, one must be reminded that while Gagner is in his sixth NHL season, he is still only 23 years old. He’s hardly at his playing peak. As illustrated on the chart on the next page, Sam Gagner achieved more points than any of these players did before their 23rd birthdays. (And as many points – 220 – as St. Louis, Cammalleri, Briere and Whitney and Parise combined.) Granted, in the above examples, most of these players did not start being a full time NHL player until they were 21-22 years old. (With the exception of Zach Parise, who began his NHL career at 19 years of age, after spending one year in the AHL.) In some cases (Cammalleri and St. Louis for example), these players

played 2 or 3 seasons of college hockey, and in Koivu’s case, he played three seasons in Finland before joining the NHL. In other cases (Whitney, Savard and Briere), these players were given a few games in the NHL as 19, 20 or 21 year old players, but they were sent down (usually to the AHL) for further development. (And to increase their strength and size, size being weight not inches.) And when these players played in the minor leagues, most of them thrived, averaging over a point per game in the minor leagues, but it took a long time for them to make the NHL as a regular on a team’s roster. Another thing about the seven listed players (and Gagner). All are between 5’7” and 5’11”, and most of these players were 15-25 pounds lighter when they were 18 or 19 years old. Gagner was listed at 5’10” and 172 pounds when he joined the Oilers at 18 years of age, but he is now listed as 5’ 11” and a very solid 199 pounds. In comparing Gagner to this group of players, it’s noteworthy that ice time and power play minutes helped these players reach the next level, something these players earned, as Gagner has too.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

Now I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that Sam Gagner has an opportunity to tally more points than Zach Parise over the next ten seasons. This is the same Zach Parise who signed a 13-year $98 million deal with the Minnesota Wild last year. (And there were more than a few teams willing to sign him to a long-term lucrative contract when he became an unrestricted free agent in 2012.) Gagner will be 24 – 36 years old over the next 13 seasons. Parise may not be passed his peak (his statistics seem to indicate this possibility though), and the Wild have him from 29 – 41 years old.)

“I feel like I’m gaining experience as the years go by. We’ve obviously had a lot of turnover, and we have a lot of young players. (Laughs) Sometimes I don’t actually feel young with the group we have in our lineup.” 12

If you compare the two players stats when they were the same age (21 and 22 years old), Parise tallied 94 points in 163 games (.58 PPG), while Gagner tallied 89 points in 143 games played (.62 PPG). Parise had 65 points in 81 games played as a 23-year-old (.80 PPG), and Gagner has a very good chance of reaching or surpassing Parise’s pace this season. Sure Gagner has a few more NHL seasons under his belt, but that doesn’t change the date on his birth certificate. Whether a player plays in the NCAA, AHL or NHL between the ages of 18-21 should not change when a player peaks. When you look at the two players’ ice-time (and time on the special teams), you can see how this translates into more productivity on the ice. With the ice time he’s getting this NHL season (earned), Gagner is capable of being a point-per-game player in the NHL. He may not do it this season, but Gagner’s future is bright, and it says here that he is now ready to take his game to the next level. He’s playing with more confidence, consistency, and he’s stronger on his skates than ever! Does this mean the Oilers should lock up Gagner for the same kind of contract the Wild gave Parise? Of course not. (Sorry Sam.) But if you asked me to pick which player I would want on my team for the next thirteen seasons, I would give strong consideration to Sam Gagner over Zach Parise, and who would have made this assertion a year ago?

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

The team is off to a decent start. Except for one bad period against the Sharks, you’ve been in most games, but the team is not coming away with points in a number of these close games. “Yeah, it seems like we’ve been in a lot of close games, and we’re letting them slip away. If you want to be a good team in this league, you have to find a way to win those games.” Does it surprise you that you’re in your sixth NHL season already, and you’re still only 23 years old? “I feel like I’m gaining experience as the years go by. We’ve obviously had a lot of turnover, and we have a lot of young players. (Laughs) Sometimes I don’t actually feel young with the group we have in our lineup.” What does it take to be a point-per-game forward in the NHL? “I’ve done it a few times in short periods of time in my career. I obviously know that 16 games does not make a season (Gagner had 16 points in 16 games at the time of this interview), so there’s still lots to prove, and I have to continue to do it every night. I think the big thing is that on any given night, doing your best to help your team win, and the results will come. So far it’s worked that way (with his own production), and I just want to help the team turn the corner.” 14

How much did playing overseas help your fast start? “I think it definitely helped. When I came back, I was in game shape. The timing and speed of the game is something you can’t simulate. Playing on the bigger ice surface helped – definitely forced me to use my legs more, and get faster, which helped.” What was the experience like at the Spengler Cup? “It was a great experience. Anytime you get to play for Canada, you have to jump at the opportunity. You don’t know how many chances you’re going to get. To get to play for Team Canada is special – there’s so much depth. It was a great tournament for all of us, to be able to win the gold medal, put a cherry on top.” Describe how your level of strength and fitness has changed since your rookie season? “Yeah – I’m training with Andy O’Brien. Shawn Horcoff works with him as well. I’ve learned what works for me, what makes me stronger, and worked on improving my speed. I feel stronger and faster (this season). I feel like Andy’s done a lot for my career, and he’s going to continue to do so.”

How much confidence did you gain by your eightpoint game last season? “Well, it’s obviously just one game, but it was a pretty special night. Everything seemed to go in for me. My linemates were playing great. Looking back at it, it gives you nothing but confidence to know you’re capable of something like that. It was a big stepping stone for my career, and hopefully, I can have a lot more special nights like that.” Do you know that one more goal would have made someone a millionaire in the Safeway Score & Win contest? (Gagner had four goals and four assists at the 16:15 mark of the third period. He had a few chances to score in the last few minutes of the game, but came up short, at least for benefit of the contest.) (Laughs) “I heard about it after the game. Maybe if I’d know about it beforehand, I may not have passed to “Ebby” (Eberle) to get that fifth goal.” You’re averaging nearly two more minutes of icetime per game compared to last season, including an extra minute on the power play. What have you done to earn the extra minutes? “I think it shows the coaches have confidence in you, and that gives you more confidence as a player. Ralph (Krueger) showed confidence in me from the get-go. He’s very communicative as a coach, lets you know where you stand. And if you need to improve in certain areas, or you’re doing well in certain areas, I think it’s important for a player to have this feedback. He’s been great for me this year, and I just hope I can keep it going.“ You’re also getting time on the penalty kill, for the first time in your NHL career. How did that come about? “I’m not sure. The coaches, Ralph (Krueger) and Steve Smith just came up to me and told me I was going to be given an opportunity on the penalty kill. I really enjoy the responsibility. It’s (penalty killing) a really important part of the game, and as a player, you want to be out there for those important minutes. It’s another facet of my game I want to continue to improve on.”

With league parity tighter than ever, and not a big difference between the top teams and the teams in the middle, and looking at what the Kings did last season (barely making the playoffs, but winning the Stanley Cup), is it realistic for the Oilers to win the Cup? “Yeah – I think so. Obviously timing is really important, and for LA last year, they got hot at the right time. They were fairly consistent with their game all season though. They had trouble scoring goals, but they developed good habits throughout the season, and that’s what we want to do. We have a lot of skill in our room. I feel like we’re ready to turn a corner. Everyone on our team believes that. It’s just a matter of getting a consistent effort, and making sure we’re doing the right things every night, and hopefully we can turn things around here. You’re an RFA (Restricted Free Agent) after this season. Do you hope to stay with the team? “Yeah – I do. We have a lot to prove here. Now that we’re turning a corner, I hope I can be a big part of that.”

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

By Rob Suggitt Photos provided by SC Parker Photography

For this edition of the magazine, we met up with 18-year-old Suzanne Sawatski, who has been officiating minor hockey for four years. A few years ago, we featured her older brother (Tyler) in the magazine, who encouraged and supported his younger sister to get involved as a minor hockey official.

great way to give back to the game and to learn the rules about the game.

What advice were you given by your older brother who began officiating a few years before you became an official? To be confident in my calls, and stand by them.

Suzanne is a first year university student, currently enrolled in sciences, and taking her business prerequisites.

How important is communication between the officials on the ice?

We chatted with Suzanne, as she was ready to step on the ice to officiate a game at Callingwood Arena, and asked her a few questions about being a minor hockey official.

What level of hockey are you currently officiating?

You still play hockey, for the Junior Wolves. When did you start playing hockey? At what age/level? I started playing hockey when I was six years old. My first year I played initiation, and I played mixed hockey until my second year atom when I switched to EGHA.

When did you start officiating hockey?

I started officiating in the 2009-2010 hockey season, when I was 15 years old.

What made you want to become a hockey official?

My family encouraged me to become one. After I realized it was a

It’s extremely important as we have to work together and support each other. In the female program I call Midget AAA, Bantam AAA and lower (mainly Midget A and Bantam A, however I do the lower levels as well). In the male program I call Bantam house league, I do lines for Bantam AA, and do two-man PeeWee.

Have you ever officiated during Minor Hockey Week? And if so, what makes you volunteer your time. (Officials donate their time at Minor Hockey Week.) Yes, I have officiated Minor Hockey Week every year. I enjoy giving back to the game and I know that without volunteers Minor Hockey Week (something I loved participating in as a young player), would not be able to happen. It’s also a great atmosphere to officiate in – exciting games, especially the semi-finals and finals.

Do you have any highlights related to big games or tournaments to pass along? Any awards or achievements? I officiated in the 2012 Albert Winter Games, on the female side. I called the bronze medal game. I have also officiated in the female provincials every year (2010 PeeWee and 2011 Bantam A in Edmonton, and 2012 Bantam A in Sherwood Park).

What do you enjoy most about being a minor hockey official? It’s a fun, nice way to meet new people, and a great way to stay involved in the game. Although it isn’t the reason I officiate, the money also makes it a good part-time job.

What kind of training were/are you provided?

Every year we take a clinic and write an exam. Throughout the year we get supervision from higher officials which provides us feedback on what we are doing good and what we can improve on

How have you improved your skills as an official?

I’ve improved through applying the feedback given to me on supervisions and working on things that need improving.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

CHECKING FROM BEHIND

If a player pushes, body-checks or cross-checks an opponent from behind, a checking from behind penalty may be called. It’s a game misconduct (ejection), coupled with a two-minute or fiveminute penalty, depending on the severity of the offense. The referee’s signal is a forward motion of both arms, with the palms of the hands opened and facing away from the body, fully extending from the chest at shoulder level.

BOARDING If a player is checked into the boards in a violent manner, then the ref may call a boarding penalty. A two-minute penalty will be assessed for boarding, and in situations where the offense is more serious (when a player is vulnerable, etc.), a five-minute major penalty and game ejection may be called.

BODY-CHECKING Body-checking is not allowed until the pee peewee level in Hockey Edmonton. Delivering a body-check in the lower divisions will result in a two-minute penalty being assessed.

BUTT-ENDING If a player jabs (or attempts to jab) another player with the shaft of the stick above the upper hand, a butt-ending penalty may be called. The referee holds one forearm over the other; the lower is moved back and forth, across the body.

CHARGING If a player takes more than two steps or strides, or jumps into an opponent when body-checking, a charging infraction may be called. The referee signals by rotatrotat ing clenched fists around each other in front of the chest. Since body-checking isn’t allowed until the pee wee level, you will rarely see this called in the first few years.

CHECKING TO THE HEAD

A minor and misconduct penalty, or a major and game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee, based on the degree of violence of im impact, shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent to the head area in any manner. A match penalty could also be assessed under this rule. If a player is injured, a major and game misconduct penalty, or a match penalty must be assessed.

CROSS-CHECKING When a player uses the shaft of his stick, held between the hands, to check an opponent at any height. The referee signals with a forward and backward motion of the arms with both fists clenched and about a foot apart. (This signal imitates the action of a cross-check.)

ELBOWING This is when a player is checking an opponent with his elbow. The referee signals by tapping either elbow with the opposite hand.

HIGH-STICKING This occurs when checking an opponent with the stick above the normal height of the shoulders, either purposely or accidentally. A more severe penalty may be called for flagrant high-sticking fouls, including ejection from the game. The referee signals this call by clenching both fists and mimicking a player holding a stick above their shoulders.

HOLDING This is called when a player grabs an opponent’s body or stick with the hands. The referee momo tions this call by grabbing either wrist with the opposite hand in front of his body.

HOOKING This is called when a player slows down an opponent by hooking his stick on any part of the opponent’s body or stick. The referee signals this call with a tugging motion with both arms.

INTERFERENCE This penalty is called when a player impedes the progress of an opponent who doesn’t have the puck. The referee signals this call by crossing his arms in front of the chest.

KNEEING If a player uses his knee (or sticks his knee out) to take down or check an opponent, the referee may call a kneeing penalty. If the infraction is of a more serious nature, the referee may consider this a major penalty (and a game misconduct) instead of a minor penalty (two minutes).

MISCONDUCT

This penalty may be called when a player exhibits extreme and inappropriate behaviour toward an another player or a game official. Depending on the severity of the offense, the player may be given a 10-minute misconduct or game misconduct penalty. It is also a game misconduct when a player checks another player from behind. With the exception of checking from behind, the penalized team does not play shorthanded.

ROUGHING This penalty may be called when a player uses his arms or fists to hit or punch another player. The signal for this call is a clenched fist and arm extended out to the front or side of the body.

SLASHING This penalty is called when a player deliberately hits an opponent with his stick. The signal for this call is a chopping motion with the edge of one hand across the opposite forearm.

SPEARING Spearing occurs when a player thrusts or jabs the blade of his stick at an opponent. PlayPlay ers are usually ejected from the game for spearing. The signal for this call is a jabbing motion with both hands thrusting out in front of the body.

TRIPPING This penalty may be called when a player uses his stick or any body part to trip the puck carrier. If the player touches the puck prior to contact with the player, there is usually no penalty called. The refref eree signals this call by striking their leg with either hand below the knee (usually bending down to do so), keeping both skates on the ice.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT This penalty may be called when a player exhibits poor sportsmanship or inappropri inappropriate behaviour on the ice.

Hockey Edmonton Magazine

aker By DT B

With this issue of Hockey Edmonton, we come to the end of another hockey season. Or do we? That’s now only one option. Summer camps, summer clinics, summer leagues – it’s not only easy for your child to play hockey all year ‘round, it’s becoming a preferred choice for more and more hockey parents. But is it the right choice? Wayne Gretzky famously recalls that his summers were spent playing baseball or lacrosse. But for some, putting away the stick and picking up a ball glove is a hockey opportunity wasted. “I think certainly the more different things you can expose yourself to physically, I think the better off you’re going to be,” said Dan Mason, a physical education professor at the University of Alberta. “I feel that if you can get your child doing as many different things, and trying as many different things, using their bodies, and learning different ways to use their bodies, I think that’s a better way than practicing the same repetitive actions over and over again to perfect a certain sport.” His U of A colleague, Professor Vicki Harber, concurred. “I think we should let the ice melt – let Mother Nature do her thing. Hockey’s not the only sport that’s become 12 months a year – soccer’s doing it, other sports do it as well. Kids are involved at ever-younger ages in a single sport all year ‘round.” The experts are aware of the flip side, too. For hockey players who show real promise, the rules about time-off to do other things seem to change, and it’s easier to make exceptions. “Because the development of elite hockey players has become a much more rationalized process, it’s forcing people to make choices at an earlier age that aren’t necessarily in the best interests of their physical development,” said Mason. “The problem that we have is that if your child is a strong player, you’re kind of forced to make these decisions that, when we were younger, we had a lot more time to think about. You wouldn’t have to have a sport to specialize in until you’re well into your teens. But now, you have to make those decisions at an earlier age, it seems. There’s pressure to do so.”

Stan Marple deals with young players that have been through that. General Manager of both the U of A Golden Bears and Pandas hockey teams (and a former Bear himself), he knows how the landscape has changed. “It’s almost like the parents are scared that if they don’t put their kid into that 3-on-3, or that extra camp, their kid’s not going to develop as well as a kid that is doing it,” he said. “That’s not in itself the way to go.” Mason sees that point, too. “I think that as an elite hockey player, regardless of your age, there’s a danger that if you don’t keep doing things to pick up your hockey specific skills year-round, then there’s pressure or an expectation that somehow you’re going to lag behind the other kids that are doing those things.” The question ultimately becomes one parents have to answer honestly. Given that your child has a better chance of winning the lottery than getting drafted into the NHL, who are those extra camps, that year-long devotion to hockey, really for? “I think the main focus here is for the kids, for their development, their quality of life, their happiness,” Marple said. Parents of young athletes themselves, Marple and Mason have had to confront the same choices. Mason’s daughter is a hockey fanatic, whose passion spurs her on to want to play hockey all year. “She’s the one who picks the camps she wants to go to, I’m not pushing her into them,” he said. “But at the same time, I worry that she’s not doing other sports she may find an equal passion for.” For Marple, it was the reverse. He laughs as he recounts the story of his son, who timidly confessed to his hockey administrator father that hockey just wasn’t for him. “I said that’s cool, but I want you to play a team sport, because I think it’s important that you learn what it’s like to work within a team,” Marple recounted. And he said, ‘Well, I like soccer.’ So he’s doing that, and he’s enjoying it.” Not surprisingly, it all comes down to balance, and in the case of the very young athlete, something Harber explains as “physical literacy.” “There are very few sports that really warrant early specialization – and when I say that, I’m talking 12 and under; there are some sports we could push that even higher,” she said. “At the foundation of building an athlete is physical literacy – we want children to be exposed to a variety of movement skills in a variety of environments.

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And for those skills to be acquired, before they engage in the restrictions that are often provided or applied due to being in a specific sport.”

around psychological burnout, pediatric-oriented injuries, a growing distaste for their sport – and what also ends up getting washed down the drain is a disconnection for all physical activity.”

Think of throwing. You’d be out of your mind to try to teach a youngster to throw by only teaching him or her how to throw a hanging slider, for example. “I look at hockey players now, and they’re hockey players, they’re not athletes, you know?” Marple said. “And is that good or is that bad?”

Both Mason and Marple agree. “One of the issues that we do face as parents is that you have children playing a lot of hockey and enjoying it, but you worry about them burning out, and losing the passion they have for it,” said Mason. “And maybe ultimately, what we should be doing for them is develop players that are going to continue to play hockey well beyond what you would consider the end point of a professional career or college career,” said Hanson.

Another aspect of specialization is that it may come at the cost of the very sport upon which your young player has been so focused. As Harber pointed out, “We have what I would call a very convincing body of literature which says that when children specialize in a single sport prior to the age of 12 to 14, there are known likely outcomes

“You want them to continue to play hockey because they love it, and they have a passion for it,” Mason added. “As long as we can foster that kind of environment, I think that those other things will fall into place.”

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In past editions of the Hockey Edmonton Magazine, we have featured veteran NHL officials like Kerry Fraser, Bill McCreary, and Dan Marouelli to name a few. For this edition of the magazine, we met up with rookie NHL referee Graham Skilliter, who officiated his first NHL game at Rexall Place in January. We met up with Skilliter on game day. He is in his second season of his minor league contract, working in the American Hockey League, and most recently, officiated a few games at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland. Getting called up is based on merit and experience, and recognizing that only a few officiating jobs open up each season, it’s quite an accomplishment to be selected.

Skilliter credits Chris Savage and Alan Smith (amongst many others he worked with over the years) in being instrumental in his development as a hockey official. Playing experience helps, and not unlike most NHL officials, Skilliter laced up the skates at four or five years of age, playing up to the Tier 1 Midget level.

“I started officiating when I was eleven years old. ... I followed in my dad’s footsteps, and it wasn’t necessarily for the extra money, which you hear from a lot of officials. I wanted to do it because my dad did it.”

It was an exciting build up to officiating his first NHL game, and Skilliter passed along some of the messages and well wishes received leading up to his first NHL game. “Tons of people contacted me – hundreds of text messages and e-mails over the last few days. Everyone just said to enjoy the

experience, try to relax, and do what got you there.“ Skilliter had a few fans attending his first NHL game, including his girlfriend, parents, grandparents, sister and friends, including a few referee chiefs, who drove in for the game (James Mays – Hockey Canada, Wes Smith – CIS, Kevin Muench – WHL).

“I started officiating when I was 11 years old. My dad was a local official in Kindersley, where I grew up. I followed in my dad’s footsteps, and it wasn’t necessarily for the extra money, which you hear from a lot of officials. I wanted to do it because my dad did it. He probably watched every game I did as a child.”

Skilliter had great success as a young hockey official, moving up the ranks at a steady pace. “When I was 16 years old, I started “linesing” Saskatchewan Junior Hockey. I had quite a bit of success early on, and was recognized for it, and ended up going to Sask First Camp (is what it’s called), and was chosen to be quote unquote fast-tracked.”

When asked about the least enjoyable part of the job, Skilliter comments that he spends 150+ days on the road. “It’s hard to complain about. It’s still a lot better than going to an office. Being away from home is the toughest part. I have a girlfriend, and being away so much is hard.”

At 28 years of age, Skilliter is one of the youngest officials in the NHL. It takes years of experience to become an NHL referee. There are no 18-year old rookie referees in the NHL. Most graduate through the junior leagues and minor pro leagues (like the ECHL and AHL), spending years honing their craft.

Skilliter loves his job though, and enjoys the intensity, speed and excitement of the game. “I’m a huge fan of the game. I have the Centre Ice package, and all I do is watch hockey. It’s not a forced thing – it’s being a student of the game. On the ice, I’m a huge believer in sports psychology, and read quite a few books on this topic, and studied it quite a bit. It’s about getting in that zone, being aware of who’s on the ice, what’s going on.”

It can be a bumpy road along the way, and while Skilliter has officiated some tough games, his greatest scare was a collision which took place on the ice three years ago in a WHL matchup between the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Kelowna Rockets. Skilliter banged his head on the ice and was rushed to the hospital to be treated for a concussion. And how soon was he back on the ice? “(Laughs) Too quick. Two weeks. It turned out fine. I didn’t have any symptoms or anything like that. Three years later, I think the education is a little better dealing with concussions than what is was then. I felt okay, more than anything, I was bored, I couldn’t work, I couldn’t do anything, but I wanted to get back on the ice. It was probably too early.” When asked about the skills and training which has made him successful, Skilliter credits his skating. “I was very fortunate. My mother made me stay in figure skating when I was young. I fought it, but I stayed in figure skating until I was around 12. Skating is such a big part of our job. I’ve always been fortunate. I’ve never really had to work that hard on my skating. As far as training goes, during the season, I try to keep the cardio level up, and stretch a lot. I’m still fairly young, but with the travel, it’s so very important to stretch. In the summer, it’s really a building phase for me. Same as the players. I work out with a trainer who also works with a number of hockey players.”

And you get to see some great cities and great rinks. “Hershey is always a good spot. Chicago is fun. I like working in Toronto. The Marlies have done a great job getting fans out. I like Rexall Place and the Saddledome, both buildings I’ve worked at in the WHL. When you walk into a rink and there’s an NHL symbol on the door, that makes a difference.” When asked about game day preparation, I joked that conducting an interview on game day is probably not part of his regiment. “(Laughs) No – I don’t do a lot interviews. To start my day, I usually have a good breakfast, and then a light workout, some stretching and some cardio. Thereafter, I usually have lunch with the other guys, and then usually have a nap, to prepare physically and mentally for the game. And then head to the rink, usually a minimum of an hour and a half before game time. We usually go together as a group, and the senior guys decide when to go.” Arriving late or missing a game is not an option, but once in a while, there’s a close call. “I’ve never missed

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a game, but growing up in Western Canada (and dealing with the weather conditions), it’s not uncommon to be delayed. My first game in the ECHL, I showed up five minutes before the puck drop. It just happened that there there was an accident on the way, so the main road was shut down, so we had to take a number of back roads to get to the arena.” In preparing for her first NHL game, Skilliter will make sure to get to the arena early. He’s also quick to comment on how well he’s been accepted and treated by other NHL officials, some who he has not met. “I find the professionalism and camaraderie to be incredible. There are 66 guys who are full time. There’s 11 guys on a minor league contract right now – nine referees, two linesmen, and everybody gets along! It’s phenomenal. Everybody has each other’s back. Considering that it’s such a competitive business, such a subjective business, that we get along that well, that we have each other’s back, and you can trust that other person is amazing. And a lot of the time, they’re the only three friends you have in the city, and those are the three guys on the ice with you.” In finishing up our interview, I asked what advice he would give to a young hockey official, like the young officials we showcase in our “Spotlight on an Official” feature in each issue of the magazine, some of these officials who want to take it to the next level. “It comes down to work ethic. It’s much the same as a player. You have to want it more than anyone else does. Another sage piece of

advice which was given to me was to get a career (something to fall back on). Kevin Matsch was very good at making sure we had some kind of career plans (outside of officiating). Sometimes we would push for more games, and Kevin would say, ‘No I can’t give you any more games. Go work, go to school, do something else.’ And that’s so important, because as I said, there are only 66 full-time jobs (in the NHL), and only half of those are for referees.” One of the best quotes about being an NHL referee is attributed to former NHL referee Frank Udarvi who refereed hockey in the 50’s and 60’s. Here’s how he described the job: “Being a hockey official is the only job in the work where you’re expected to be perfect your first day on the job, then improve from there.” Skilliter nodded and smiled when he heard this quote. “Yes, it’s definitely true. The fans of the game and the players who make a living playing the game expect us to be perfect. And to be quite honest, we expect that of ourselves too. Especially at this level, but even at the amateur level, people take a serious amount of pride in what they do on the ice. You have to take the negative stuff out and focus on the positive. There’s a high level

“It comes down to work ethic. It’s much the same as a player. You have to want it more than anyone else does.” of pride when you perform at this level, where you’re scrutinized, especially with video, etc.” But Skilliter wouldn’t have it any other way. When you’re at the top of your craft or chosen profession, expectations (or criticisms) ß∑come with the job. And when your job is that of an NHL referee, there are is plenty of that to go around.

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If you want to be your best at game time while avoiding hours in physiotherapy, then it’s what you do just before you hit the ice that can make all the difference. A proper warm up before a game, practice or off-ice training session is critical to ensure your body and mind are ready for the demands of hockey. Traditionally, warm-ups consisted primarily of some stationary stretching where an athlete would stand or sit holding a stretch for about 30 seconds. Research has shown this kind of stretching is beneficial for increasing the range of motion in a muscle when the body is warm. But what this kind of stretching doesn’t do if performed prior to an activity is adequately prepare the muscle and all its connective tissue for the active movements that occur in sport. Static stretching cools the body down and slows the central nervous system down, and that’s bad news for an athlete who needs the mind and body working to generate quick, explosive movements and sudden changes of direction. Michael Boyle, former strength and conditioning coach of the Boston Bruins, puts it this way in his book Functional Training for Sports: “Can I prepare to move by standing still for extended periods of time? Should I move slowly, or not at all, to prepare myself to move quickly? Should I sit down and be still to prepare to be on my feet and moving?” Without a warm up that functionally prepares the body for the demands of hockey, players are more prone to a muscle pull or some other injury. Inadequate warming up can also lead to less than optimal speed and skill levels at the beginning of a game and that can often result in a quick goal by the other team. Hockey is a multidirectional game and therefore the warm up needs to be about movement through all three planes of motion: forward and backward, side to side, and rotationally. A good warm up can be completed in 15-20 minutes and can easily be done in the dressing room or an open space in the arena. A warm up should always begin with about five minutes of some cardiovascular activity to increase the body’s core temperature and to increase heart rate and blood flow to the working muscles. Barry Butt, Grant MacEwan Griffins’ assistant hockey coach and owner of Premier Strength and Conditioning for hockey players, has his team perform some basic footwork drills on the agility ladder. But even a set of stairs or a hallway is all a team needs to get the heart rate going. That should be followed up with a series of functional dynamic flexibility exercises that actively take the muscles through a greater range of motion. As for static stretching exercises, Butt doesn’t prohibit his players from doing them. “For a lot of guys, it’s a habit for them to do it and they don’t feel right if they don’t,” he says. After an initial warm up, Butt will allow his players to do some short static stretches, but then he follows that up with dynamic movements with increasing intensity so that the body and mind are ready to go. “We never end off with static stretching because that slows everything down,” he says.

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