A Day in the Life

A typical game day on the road will begin with breakfast, usually around 8am. Due to the physical nature of our job it is essential that we workout on the day of the game. Majority of our staff prefer to ride the bike anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes on the day of the game. However everyone does have his own routine. In addition to this cardio work most of us require time to stretch muscles, particularly the lower back and hamstrings. Therefore, time in the gym will usually run from 10 till 11:30AM. Often these workouts are done as a crew. If an official is required to take an early flight on the day of a game then the workout will be less rigorous and may only entail a stretching portion. At any rate the workout facility of the hotel is usually the place where officials will meet up with each other.

Next on the agenda is lunch. As rule the officiating crew likes to stay at the same hotel. Therefore lunch is usually done as a group. An officiating crew will traditionally meet for lunch anywhere between 12:30 and 1PM. The pre-game meal is an excellent time for officials to share stories and catch up. Being in a job that requires enormous amounts of time isolated from your fellow workers this pre-game meal gives us an opportunity to get to know one another. Often many stories are relayed, some hockey related and some family related. For younger officials this is an excellent time to learn from those that are more senior. It is most common to discuss certain game situations and rule interpretations at the pre-game meal. This time together serves to help get an official into the right frame of mind.

After lunch is some downtime. Usually we will arrive back at the hotel around 2 PM. The officials will individually retreat to their hotel rooms. Everyone follows a different routine. However, everyone's goal is to get as mentally prepared as possible. Most will review rules or video clips and perform administrative tasks such as booking airline tickets or hotel rooms. There are some officials that will use this time to do things away from the game, such as correspondence courses, crossword puzzles or leisure reading. Most officials will take an hour of this time to close the drapes, shut the lights, and take a quick power nap. Certainly if an official is on a trip that entails six games within seven or eight nights, all in different cities, this afternoon rest time is essential.

In most cities we are required to leave for the rink around 5PM. Therefore quiet time will usually end at 4PM. Now is time to shower, dress, and truly get 'up' for the game. Recently officials have made use of this hour before leaving for the rink to have a light snack, such as a bagel, small sandwich or a protein shake.

The officials like to arrive at the arena 90 minutes before the opening face-off. The pre-game routine at the arena differs from official to official. However, if there were any rule questions brought up at lunchtime they are addressed in the dressing room before the start of the game. Once in the dressing room we stay there, certainly there is not any fraternization with players or team officials. We are fortunate that our dressing rooms are supplied with everything that we should require. Most will ride a stationary bike or skip rope to get their legs and heart ready for action. Just like players there are those of us that have certain routines that must be adhered to before the start of a game. Some people might call these superstitions?

We get a count down to the start of the game and off-ice officials bring the necessary paper work to us, lace up our skates and head out for action. During the intermissions officials will take time to discuss plays that have occurred during the game and hydrate themselves. Before games and during the intermissions the officials like to keep to themselves and the room free from guests and distractions.

It is after the game that the atmosphere in the dressing room becomes lighter and less somber. If there is a supervisor present at the game he will enter the room at the game's conclusion. The supervisor may have some questions as to how plays occurred and will often offer advice on how to handle situations in the future.

Once back at the hotel, depending on the nature of the game, reports must be filed with the league office. These must be done immediately, since the teams may have questions in the morning. The time now is approximately 11PM; the crew will often meet in the hotel restaurant for a sandwich and some final discussions.

Flights the following day are often before 9 AM; therefore the next day's routine gets off to an early start.