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James McCarthy
Northern News Services
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A group of hopeful referees-to-be were at the Multiplex's PSAV Room on Nov. 15 for the final hockey officiating clinic put on by the Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association.

A dozen people were out to learn the rules and to get the lowdown on what it takes to become on-ice arbiters.

Dustin Arychuk listens to senior referee Terry Brookes during a clinic at the Yellowknife Multiplex on Nov. 15. - Ben Morgan/NNSL photo

"The guys here are all at different experience levels," said senior referee Terry Brookes, the clinic's instructor. "We have a guy who hasn't reffed in 10 years and another guy who's just starting out, so it's a real interesting mix of talents and personalities."

Making sure everyone was on the same page was an important goal of the clinic, Brookes said.

"When you get out on the ice, you need to have confidence in your abilities," he said. "We talked a lot about being able to sell calls out there because the official only has one set of eyes, so when we're out there, we're really working as a team."

Hockey in Yellowknife is suffering right now from a lack of referees and the hope is to get some new blood in to fill the gaps, said Yk Rec Hockey League president Cory Emsley.

"We have a growing consensus among our refs that they're short-staffed," he said. "We're getting to the point that we can't afford to lose a single official."

He said the lack of officials isn't limited to the rec league.

"The oldtimers and minor hockey leagues are facing that problem as well," he said. "They need bodies."

Brookes put the problem in perspective.

"In Yellowknife, there's around 40 to 50 games per week," he said. "Most of the games are a two-man system, so trying to get the amount of people needed can be difficult at times."

One of the ways Brookes is promoting officiating to the masses is through the improved ability of an official to become a better player.

"It's a great experience to be on the ice and see how the game is played from that close perspective and I think that helps people who are looking to become better players," he said.

With this being the last clinic in Yellowknife for this hockey season, Brookes reflected on the turnouts for both the minor hockey and regular sessions.

"I think we had about 24 out for the minor hockey officiating clinic, which was good," he said.

"There was a bigger turnout at this one than I was expecting. We were expecting four to 10, but got 12 in there."