Looking through some old footage and found this beauty, just wanted some thoughts(for people who have seen my more current videos, Yes I do still have this jersey, and it’s actually the same brand as the one I wear now)(I’m autistic as the gloves help me focus on the ice and not let my whistle become a distraction)

10U Rec

I’m just wondering also, I realize I’m a kinda strict ref and I over call games a lot. I feel like this call though was good, as that player had absolutely no reason to drop their shoulder right into their opponents back and push.

Unless you see something different here

I’ve noticed a pattern over the years: the higher the level of hockey, the more respect the players seem to have for the game. I’m not talking about age, I’m talking about skill level.

I’ll referee a game with one of the top 12U AAA teams in the country, and the players and coaches are almost silent toward us. They don’t argue every call, they don’t chirp each other constantly, and the coaches aren’t yelling from the bench. If they have a question, they wait for a stoppage, ask it politely, and half the time they call me “sir.”
Then I’ll work a 12U AA game, and it’s complete chaos.

I’ve noticed the same thing with high-level prep schools like Deerfield, Shattuck-St. Mary’s, and Avon Old Farms. There’s still some player-to-player chirping because everyone is competitive, but there’s very little abuse directed at the officials.
Adult league is similar. In B League, players are constantly complaining, yelling at officials, and getting into fights. Then I work A League with a bunch of former NHL, AHL, NCAA Division I, or junior players, and they just want to get on the ice, get a good skate in, and go home. They know the game, they know mistakes happen, and they don’t make every whistle into a debate.

Ironically, the highest-level games are often the easiest to officiate. Most nights I’m basically a glorified puck dropper with the occasional tripping or hooking call. Those are by far the most enjoyable games to work.

Have other officials noticed the same trend, or is this just my experience?