List of officials (with numbers)

Some of you may know that as an official, I do not like the numbers instead of the names. Some think that numbers help protect us officials, but I don't believe they do (my posting this list confirms that belief). The people who matter (players, coaches, etc) all know the officials' names. What I believe it does, is contributes to the "robotization" of officials and takes away our individuality.

That being said, if I could get a job in the WHL (which I hope to in the next 1-2 years), I will wear the number anyway. After all, getting the job is the most important thing.

Anyway, here is a list of WHL officials:

Referees (24)
2. Todd Sharpe*
4. Matt Kirk*
5. Brad Reminek
6. Ryan Thompson*
7. Cory McLean*
8. Derek Zalaski*
9. Derek Herman
10. Kyle Rehman
11. Andy Thiessen
12. Pat Smith
15. Andrew Guest*
17. Rob Matsuoka
19. Chris Ciamaga
20. Al Smith
22. Mark MacIsaac
37. Jeff Sawchuk*
38. Shawn Davis
51. Derek Berkebile
71. Trevor Hrycuik*
77. Chris Savage
88. Darelle Mitchell
90. Devin Klein
91. Jason Nissen
98. Tom Sterns

* = Trainee referee, also works as a linesman.


Linesmen (67 ...Including trainee referees)
3. Christopher Babakaiff
13. Rob Archambault
14. Brad Davie
16. Adam Hyatt
18. Nathan Wieler
21. Bryan Ambrogiano
23. Adam Byblow
24. Ryan Bell
26. Ed McLachlan
27. Zenon Chichak
29. Lee Raffey
31. Cam Kuffner
32. Craig Senkow
33. Russ Eliuk
34. Dave Koch
35. Nic Kephart
36. Patrick Widmeyer
39. Neil Ellingson
40. Brian Fortin
41. Korey Martens
42. Jeff Smoliak
43. Graham Heather
44. Chris Nightingale
45. Grant Tyson
46. Jason Burkhart
47. Darren Holeha
48. Matt Pelzmann
49. Jason Rende
50. Derek Richardson
52. Jeff Jobson
53. Tony Leonetti
54. Jim Storey
55. Jeff Edgley
56. Ian Schafer
57. Rob Johnston
58. Andrew Jakubeit
59. Brad Patterson
60. Rob Fay
61. David Hunter
62. Kelly Reitenbach
63. Derek Craig
64. Zac Wiebe
65. Donald Greene
66. Trevor Boudreau
67. Jason Mercer
68. Greg Sarauer
69. Kelly Balaberda
70. Ryan Agar
72. Brad McKeown
73. Dean Laschowski
74. Chris de Haan
75. Ray Damphousse
76. Dan Cowley
78. Darryl Cameron
79. Regan Vetter
80. Tyler McClellan
81. Kris Hartley
82. Bryan Pancich
83. Josh Smith
84. Kevin Boris
85. Jim Maniago
86. Cam McMillan
87. John Fitzgerald
89. Saad Al-Jadir
92. Chris Carlson
93. Todd Owen
95. Chad Marshall
96. Jeremy Del Campo
97. Paul Brunen

Note: The original list has Korey Martens wearing #54 and Jim Storey wearing #41, however Storey was wearing #54 last night, so I assume this was just a mix-up (they are both local linesmen in Prince George), and I manually changed their numbers.


I will also note that I did not make this thread for people to come in and bash the officials after a game in which said person does not think the referee did a good job. We are human and will have off-nights, just like many of the players you all cheer for. I simply believe that in a high-profile league like the WHL, the fans have a right to know who is out there calling the games. (And it took me over half an hour separating the lists from alphabetical to numerical, so I don't really want it to go to waste.)

:handclap: thanks Van now i know who im yelling at lol :D

Once more the officials don't have to explain themselves or answer to anything and now can make all the bonehead calls they want without anyone knowing who they are. :D

#9 Derek Herman last night in Kelowna was very whistle happy on both teams. A player would go by another and slight bump him and it was obstruction penalty. It's hard to get a good flow to the game when there questionable penaltys being called.

#9 Derek Herman last night in Kelowna was very whistle happy on both teams. A player would go by another and slight bump him and it was obstruction penalty. It's hard to get a good flow to the game when there questionable penaltys being called.

I'm not trying to be a dink...but...

I will also note that I did not make this thread for people to come in and bash the officials after a game in which said person does not think the referee did a good job. We are human and will have off-nights, just like many of the players you all cheer for. I simply believe that in a high-profile league like the WHL, the fans have a right to know who is out there calling the games. (And it took me over half an hour separating the lists from alphabetical to numerical, so I don't really want it to go to waste.)

32. Craig Senkow
33. Russ Eliuk
34. Dave *pudgy* Koch
35. Nic Kephart
36. Patrick Widmeyer



that's not very nice van

that's not very nice van
:lol:

Seriously though, he's about 15 pounds lighter than last season.

I would like to pass on congratulations to two WHL officials who have been selected by the IIHF to the following tournaments:

Derek Herman (Referee) - World U20 Championships (Dec. 26/03 - Jan. 05/04) in Helsinki and Hameenlinna, Finland.

Chris de Haan (Linesman) - World U18 Championships (Apr. 08/04 - Apr. 18/04) in Minsk, Belarus.

I would like to pass on congratulations to two WHL officials who have been selected by the IIHF to the following tournaments:

Derek Herman (Referee) - World U20 Championships (Dec. 26/03 - Jan. 05/04) in Helsinki and Hameenlinna, Finland.

Chris de Haan (Linesman) - World U18 Championships (Apr. 08/04 - Apr. 18/04) in Minsk, Belarus.
good choices....from what I've seen...they are a couple of the good ones

thanks for the list....there are some that are consistantly bad, so it's nice to know up front what kind of calls we are in for

16. Adam Hyatt



:bow:

I just did a Midget B game with Hyatt. When he's in a good mood, he is a real fun guy to work with.

indeed.. however he's just as funny in a bad mood (i've found).. :p...

not to work with likely...

indeed.. however he's just as funny in a bad mood (i've found).. :p...

I agree. :D


not to work with likely...

I won't comment. :p

I got to meet Pat Smith tonight before the BCHL game here in PG tonight. I must say, although this 20 year-old looks like he is younger than me, he is a fantastic guy and a great referee. Nobody gives him bull****....at least in the BCHL. ;)

He is working the WHL game here tonight so I will get to see how a referee's style changes from Jr.A to Major Junior...believe it or not, this is the first time I have seen one referee work both leagues as a referee.

Oh, and I am stickying this thread for the sole purpose of the list being available for the fans here at HF.

Hide their names all tehy want, I've just witnessed 2 piss poor reffing performances. Its a disgrace how refs are so damn protected it makes me sick.

Hide their names all tehy want, I've just witnessed 2 piss poor reffing performances. Its a disgrace how refs are so damn protected it makes me sick.

How are they protected? The only reason the CHL officials now wear numbers is because the CHL continues to model itself after the NHL. And in the NHL, officials wore numbers before they wore name bars. The change back to numbers was a traditional change, but one that I disagree with because I think having a name on an official's back gives him more pride and more of a sense of accomplishment to be doing the games in the league he is working.

Putting numbers on their backs contributes to the "robotization" of officials...this stems from continuous complaining from players, coaches and fans of the lack of consistency from one official to another. What these leagues have yet to realize, is that there will never be 100% consistency from one official to another. It is just a fact of life....and by wearing numbers, this inconsistency from one official to another will be noticed a lot more. I can see this already in the NHL. This does not affect teams because they always know who is reffing their games and should know how to adapt to what said referee calls more than another referee would and vice versa. But despite the officials lists being available to fans, most don't bother to look for one...so the fans can't think to themselves when the zebras step onto the ice, "Gregson is reffing..better keep clean on the stickwork tonight"...therefore creating more complaining about the officiating because the last robot referee didn't call as much stickwork as this robot referee does.

But no, they are not any more protected than they were before. No fan chased any referee down in the parking lot after a WHL game, or tried to force their way into a refs room to give the official a piece of his mind when they wore names or anything like that. All the fans have to do to find out who the officials are, is check the website. The WHL lists their officials and what numbers they wear, as does the NHL. I simply put the WHL list here to make it easier for HF readers who are WHL fans.

The following QMJHL referees have been on the ice for WHL games this week:

Guy Pellerin
Francois Fortin
Francis Charron

The CHL is doing an exchange program with its referees this season.

Derek Herman (WHL) will be calling games in Gatineau, Shawinigan and Québec City this weekend.

Unfortunately I have not found information on when OHL referees will be in another league.

I'm not trying to be a dink...but...
I wasn't knocking or putting down Herman, just saying a little whistle happy and the flow of the game, I didn't mean if it came out that I was knocking him, because I wasn't. Thanks for listing the refs names, it nice to get to know them a little bit with the hugh turn over in the last couple years.

Reffing in the league is an embarassment. You want proof? Go read the rulebook where it states that obstruction must be called and they miss at least half of those calls on a game basis. You get refs who call nothing at the start of the game and then make the stupidest ones towards teh end when it counts. Yes we as fans will never appreciate a ref but if u ask me they haven't shown anything for us to show appreciation for them. Having them with no names on their jerseys is clearly to protect them and ignore the fact that some refs are just not cut out and the league doesn't wanna admit it to make themselves look bad.

Reffing in the league is an embarassment. You want proof? Go read the rulebook where it states that obstruction must be called and they miss at least half of those calls on a game basis.

The rulebook is a guideline for the referee to use his judgment. What is described as obstruction in the rulebook is not a black and white description. A referee must still decide if a specific occurrence on the ice fits that rulebook description. What you see as fitting that description, a referee might not.

Referees apply the rules based on their personal judgment.

And don't forget that with only one set of eyes to keep tabs on 12 players at a time, things get missed as well.

Having them with no names on their jerseys is clearly to protect them and ignore the fact that some refs are just not cut out and the league doesn't wanna admit it to make themselves look bad.

I already explained this. The CHL is modelling themselves after the NHL in each and every way possible.

And please answer this...who are the referees being protected from when a list of officials, along with the numbers they wear, is available to the public on the website?

Well then how come a couple years ago those calls were made? Now you see these teams constantly running interference and half of the time no calls are made. I mean defend the reffing all you want, but its pretty piss poor regardless.



Make those calls and teams like the Wild or Rockets win half of their games.

Well then how come a couple years ago those calls were made?


Different rules of emphasis.

A couple years ago, the WHL hammered into the officials' heads that all obstruction needed to be called. This season, the main rule of emphasis is stickwork. And I can tell you from experience, that when your supervisor tells you to call more of this, you will call less of that.

It may not be right, but that's the way it works unfortunately. I can see it in the NHL...they are concentrating so much on obstruction, and there have been many major stick infractions that have been missed (Weight on Sedin for example) because the referees are looking to where the play isn't, trying to pick out an interference call.

Also, there is a huge difference in the WHL officiating crew of a few years ago and this season. All the veteran referees from a few years ago who were making those calls are now in the NHL. Almost all of the current WHL referees are in their first 3 seasons of Major Junior Hockey (Pat Smith being the youngest at 20 years of age, and he is a 2nd year referee). The only referees I know for sure are more veteran than that are Herman, Matsuoka, Mitchell and Al Smith. Just from last season, the WHL has lost Kevin Acheson and Steve Kozari. The younger referees can be told so many things in the room by their supervisor....but the only way they will learn is with experience.

With such a young officiating crew, the only thing that fans can do is have patience.



Make those calls and teams like the Wild or Rockets win half of their games.

The defensive hockey that such teams play is not based on obstruction. The traps they play involve cutting off passing lanes in the neutral zone...which is designed to create neutral zone turnovers.

If more obstruction was called, it would likely help these trapping teams.

Make those calls and teams like the Wild or Rockets win half of their games.


Wow, you really have an bone to pick with the Rockets... Sure they play a defensive system this year but they still out-shoot the other team nearly every game... I understand that us (Kelowna's) and you (Kamloops) have a rivalry, but come on give the Rockets some credit... Rockets are a well coached and smart team.... Pretty smart if you ask me to play the game how it will be called rather then ***** about how it is not called... Adjust to how the game is called, and your strengths, which is what the Rockets have done this year... As you prolly saw in the Memorial Cup; last year their downfall was not playing that style... Obviously they are trying to not make that same mistake...

Congratulations are in order for the following WHL officials who will be representing their respective provincial associations at the World U17 Challenge in St.John's, NL:

Referees
Pat Smith (BCAHA)
Kyle Rehman (Hockey Alberta)

Linesmen
Kris Hartley (BCAHA)
Zac Wiebe (SHA)

The tournament takes place from December 29, 2003 until January 4, 2004.

More WHL officials have been rewarded for their work...

2004 IIHF World Championships
Prague & Ostrava, Czech Republic (Apr. 24 - May 09)
Linesman - Dean Laschowski

2004 IIHF World Championships Division I A
Oslo, Norway (Apr. 12-18)
Referee - Chris Savage

laschowski deserves it, he is pro material, savage i'm not too familiar with

good for them though

Savage is the referee who broke his skate blade here a couple weeks ago. That was amusing to say the least...especially with how the fans were on him, and he had to sit on the Cougars bench while getting repairs done. :joker:

The whole reason Savage even had an extra blade with him is because of his time spent in Europe (which is also likely why he's going to Norway). Over there, elite officials have to carry that extra equipment because the teams don't help the officials out with equipment. If he didn't have the extra blade here, the Cougars would have supplied him with one.

And yeah...Laschowski is a pro. This is his second straight World Championship. I was surprised he didn't get an NHL contract this season. Here's hoping for him next season.

Congratulations are in order for the following WHL officials who will be representing their respective provincial associations at the World U17 Challenge in St.John's, NL:

Referees
Pat Smith (BCAHA)
Kyle Rehman (Hockey Alberta)

Linesmen
Kris Hartley (BCAHA)
Zac Wiebe (SHA)

The tournament takes place from December 29, 2003 until January 4, 2004.


Who chooses these guys, Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles. These are the absolute 2 worst refs in the WHL. Smith was an absolute joke tonighin Kelowna and the little guy is no better when he is here. Giants kicked one in tonight right in front of Smith and he had no clue. I felt bad for the linesmen, they had to keep going to Smith and telling him what to watch for behind the play.

I feel sorry for the kids in those tourneys.

Who chooses these guys, Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles. These are the absolute 2 worst refs in the WHL. Smith was an absolute joke tonighin Kelowna and the little guy is no better when he is here. Giants kicked one in tonight right in front of Smith and he had no clue. I felt bad for the linesmen, they had to keep going to Smith and telling him what to watch for behind the play.

I feel sorry for the kids in those tourneys.

What high-calibre league do you supervise officials for?

According to most fans, all referees are jokes.

[QUOTE=Buannan]good choices....from what I've seen...they are a couple of the good ones

In regards to Chris De haan as the linesman chosen--as far as good choices go--- surprisingly he's actually quite good. There just haven't been really many good (well, decent) WHL officials lately. But the past few games I've seen Chris De haan, he's done quite a decent job. :handclap:

The rulebook is a guideline for the referee to use his judgment. What is described as obstruction in the rulebook is not a black and white description. A referee must still decide if a specific occurrence on the ice fits that rulebook description. What you see as fitting that description, a referee might not.

Referees apply the rules based on their personal judgment.

And don't forget that with only one set of eyes to keep tabs on 12 players at a time, things get missed as well.



I already explained this. The CHL is modelling themselves after the NHL in each and every way possible.

And please answer this...who are the referees being protected from when a list of officials, along with the numbers they wear, is available to the public on the website?


Ultimately the ref has the control of the call made during a game. Sure, I definitely seen quite a few that miss quite a few calls but I completely agree with Van that there are only one set of eyes to keep track of 12 players and obviously when there are thousand(s) of fans it's easy for all of them to be really hard on the ref and linesmen. The truth remains that refs and linesmen are evaluated from time to time and if what the WHL feels is an official who is continuously making bad calls and has poor judgement the would not have him as an official now would they. They have to be completely unbias and give equal fairness to each team. Some do quite a good job of this and I congratulate them because it sure isn't easy!! :)

As the 2004 WHL playoffs progress, I will post which referees and linesmen are working in each round, all the way to the Memorial Cup. Judging from how it worked last year, all Memorial Cup linesmen will be from the WHL, while there will be one referee from each of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL.

There is no actual list of this information, so I will simply be taking information from individual game summaries and posting the names here, as well as the number of games they worked in each round.


ROUND 1

Referees (13/24)
7. Cory McLean - 3
8. Derek Zalaski - 3
9. Derek Herman - 4
10. Kyle Rehman - 2
11. Andy Thiessen - 2
12. Pat Smith - 3
15. Andrew Guest - 2
17. Rob Matsuoka - 5
20. Al Smith - 5
22. Mark MacIsaac - 1
77. Chris Savage - 6
88. Darelle Mitchell - 2
90. Devin Klein - 2

Linesmen (34/67)
2. Todd Sharpe - 1
6. Ryan Thompson - 1
13. Rob Archambault - 5
14. Brad Davie - 1
18. Nathan Wieler - 3
21. Bryan Ambrogiano - 4
24. Ryan Bell - 1
27. Zenon Chichak - 2
33. Russ Eliuk - 1
37. Jeff Sawchuk - 1
39. Neil Ellingson - 4
40. Brian Fortin - 1
44. Chris Nightingale - 1
52. Jeff Jobson - 1
53. Tony Leonetti - 2
55. Jeff Edgley - 5
57. Rob Johnston - 2
58. Andrew Jakubeit - 2
60. Rob Fay - 3
62. Kelly Reitenbach - 1
66. Trevor Boudreau - 3
67. Jason Mercer - 1
68. Greg Sarauer - 1
69. Kelly Balaberda - 2
70. Ryan Agar - 1
73. Dean Laschowski - 4
74. Chris de Haan - 6
76. Dan Cowley - 3
78. Darryl Cameron - 4
79. Regan Vetter - 1
86. Cam McMillan - 4
89. Saad Al-Jadir - 1
92. Chris Carlson - 1
97. Paul Brunen - 6


ROUND 2

Referees (10/24)
7. Cory McLean - 1
8. Derek Zalaski - 3
9. Derek Herman - 3
10. Kyle Rehman - 2
11. Andy Thiessen - 1
12. Pat Smith - 2
15. Andrew Guest - 1
17. Rob Matsuoka - 3
20. Al Smith - 3
77. Chris Savage - 4

Linesmen (20/67)
13. Rob Archambault - 3
18. Nathan Wieler - 2
21. Bryan Ambrogiano - 3
27. Zenon Chichak - 4
33. Russ Eliuk - 1
39. Neil Ellingson - 4
53. Tony Leonetti - 1
55. Jeff Edgley - 5
57. Rob Johnston - 3
60. Rob Fay - 3
66. Trevor Boudreau - 2
67. Jason Mercer - 1
69. Kelly Balaberda - 2
73. Dean Laschowski - 2
74. Chris de Haan - 2
76. Dan Cowley - 2
78. Darryl Cameron - 1
86. Cam McMillan - 2
92. Chris Carlson - 1
97. Paul Brunen - 2


CONFERENCE FINALS

Referees (6/24)
8. Derek Zalaski - 1
9. Derek Herman - 3
10. Kyle Rehman - 3
17. Rob Matsuoka - 2
20. Al Smith - 1
77. Chris Savage - 3

Linesmen (12/67)
18. Nathan Wieler - 1
21. Bryan Ambrogiano - 3
27. Zenon Chichak - 2
39. Neil Ellingson - 3
55. Jeff Edgley - 4
57. Rob Johnston - 1
60. Rob Fay - 1
69. Kelly Balaberda - 1
73. Dean Laschowski - 2
74. Chris de Haan - 3
86. Cam McMillan - 1
97. Paul Brunen - 4


WHL FINALS

Referees (4/24)
9. Derek Herman - 1
17. Rob Matsuoka - 1
20. Al Smith - 1
77. Chris Savage - 1

Linesmen (8/67)
18. Nathan Wieler - 1
21. Bryan Ambrogiano - 1
27. Zenon Chichak - 1
39. Neil Ellingson - 1
55. Jeff Edgley - 1
69. Kelly Balaberda - 1
74. Chris de Haan - 1
97. Paul Brunen - 1

Some of you may know that as an official, I do not like the numbers instead of the names. Some think that numbers help protect us officials, but I don't believe they do (my posting this list confirms that belief). The people who matter (players, coaches, etc) all know the officials' names. What I believe it does, is contributes to the "robotization" of officials and takes away our individuality.

That being said, if I could get a job in the WHL (which I hope to in the next 1-2 years), I will wear the number anyway. After all, getting the job is the most important thing.

Anyway, here is a list of WHL officials:

Referees (24)
2. Todd Sharpe*
4. Matt Kirk*
5. Brad Reminek
6. Ryan Thompson*
7. Cory McLean*
8. Derek Zalaski*
9. Derek Herman
10. Kyle Rehman
11. Andy Thiessen
12. Pat Smith
15. Andrew Guest*
17. Rob Matsuoka
19. Chris Ciamaga
20. Al Smith
22. Mark MacIsaac
37. Jeff Sawchuk*
38. Shawn Davis
51. Derek Berkebile
71. Trevor Hrycuik*
77. Chris Savage
88. Darelle Mitchell
90. Devin Klein
91. Jason Nissen
98. Tom Sterns

* = Trainee referee, also works as a linesman.


Linesmen (67 ...Including trainee referees)
3. Christopher Babakaiff
13. Rob Archambault
14. Brad Davie
16. Adam Hyatt
18. Nathan Wieler
21. Bryan Ambrogiano
23. Adam Byblow
24. Ryan Bell
26. Ed McLachlan
27. Zenon Chichak
29. Lee Raffey
31. Cam Kuffner
32. Craig Senkow
33. Russ Eliuk
34. Dave Koch
35. Nic Kephart
36. Patrick Widmeyer
39. Neil Ellingson
40. Brian Fortin
41. Korey Martens
42. Jeff Smoliak
43. Graham Heather
44. Chris Nightingale
45. Grant Tyson
46. Jason Burkhart
47. Darren Holeha
48. Matt Pelzmann
49. Jason Rende
50. Derek Richardson
52. Jeff Jobson
53. Tony Leonetti
54. Jim Storey
55. Jeff Edgley
56. Ian Schafer
57. Rob Johnston
58. Andrew Jakubeit
59. Brad Patterson
60. Rob Fay
61. David Hunter
62. Kelly Reitenbach
63. Derek Craig
64. Zac Wiebe
65. Donald Greene
66. Trevor Boudreau
67. Jason Mercer
68. Greg Sarauer
69. Kelly Balaberda
70. Ryan Agar
72. Brad McKeown
73. Dean Laschowski
74. Chris de Haan
75. Ray Damphousse
76. Dan Cowley
78. Darryl Cameron
79. Regan Vetter
80. Tyler McClellan
81. Kris Hartley
82. Bryan Pancich
83. Josh Smith
84. Kevin Boris
85. Jim Maniago
86. Cam McMillan
87. John Fitzgerald
89. Saad Al-Jadir
92. Chris Carlson
93. Todd Owen
95. Chad Marshall
96. Jeremy Del Campo
97. Paul Brunen

Note: The original list has Korey Martens wearing #54 and Jim Storey wearing #41, however Storey was wearing #54 last night, so I assume this was just a mix-up (they are both local linesmen in Prince George), and I manually changed their numbers.


I will also note that I did not make this thread for people to come in and bash the officials after a game in which said person does not think the referee did a good job. We are human and will have off-nights, just like many of the players you all cheer for. I simply believe that in a high-profile league like the WHL, the fans have a right to know who is out there calling the games. (And it took me over half an hour separating the lists from alphabetical to numerical, so I don't really want it to go to waste.)

Good Luck with the job. Call 'em like ya see 'em.

Do you guys know what happened to Dallas Davidson or the Forbes brothers?