Referee (ice hockey) Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
A Referee in ice hockey is a person who has the responsibility of controlling behaviour during a game. They will call a penalty if a player or team behaves in a disruptive manner.Currently the National Hockey League has two referees on at all times. While the second, junior, referee was introduced to better regulate conduct on the ice many believe the change has been counter productive and has lead to confusion among officials. Some have argued the bystander effect has created many of these problems.
The referee out ranks the other officials on the ice such as the linesmen. Their calls also over rule those of the goal judge.
Referees traditionally wear black and white stripped shirts with red arm bands to differentiate them from the linesmen, and are thus sometimes referred to as zebras. Referees also carry a whistle which they use to stop play. They indicate who a penalty goes to and what it is for by means of hand signals.
The referees allot penalties for violations of the rules. Penalites are also awarded to players who talk back to a referee, especially if they yell or swear at them. If a player purposely assaults or attacks a referee a long suspension is handed out, but this rarely occurs. This famously occurred in 1958 when Montreal Canadiens star Maurice Richard punched a referee and was suspended, causing a riot in Montreal.
Referees are often the target of fan criticism. Kerry Fraser, for instance, is still infamous in Toronto for failing to make a call in the 1993 Western Conference final against Wayne Gretzky.