Northern Life reporter Scott Hunter Haddow recently
talked with Dave Newell, who was an NHL referee for 23
seasons in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Newell has since worked for
the NHL as an assistant director of officiating, coaching
up-and-coming professional referees. The first part of this
two-part series ran in FridayÂ's edition.
Looking back at what you have
done, what has it all meant to you?
 |
It was, and is, a job. And I donÂ't think of
myself as anything special. It certainly served my family and
me well. I have travelled to every major city in North America.
I have been on the ice with Henri Richard, Gordie Howe, Bobby
Orr and Wayne Gretzky. I was lucky. I would recommend this
career to any young guys who donÂ't want to play the game any
more and stay involved. There could be a future out there for
them. When you consider the percentage of refs that make the
NHL as opposed to players, itÂ's an elite group of guys. ItÂ's
nice to have the job I have. I have to deal with positives
because itÂ's a very negative job. At best, youÂ're only 50
percent right when you make a call to the eye of the beholder.
I try and deal with positives with these guys. ItÂ's an elite
place to be and be a part of.
Over the years, who were a
couple of your favourite players?
As a ref, you canÂ't have favourite players.
However, there are a few players who saved my bacon and made my
life easier. The one that really jumps out is Larry Robinson.
He was a classy guy, but when he became a coach, he changed and
wasnÂ't nice anymore. ItÂ's amazing how much they change when
they step behind the bench. Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Darryl
Sittler and Lanny Macdonald, those guys were all class acts and
a pleasure to deal with.
Any regrets?
I was president for the refÂ's association
for 11 years. I used to negotiate contracts for the staff of
officials. The regret I have is that I never made the kind of
money they are making now. I was a pioneer in getting them to
where they are. I signed for $4,500 in 1967, and now a senior
ref makes about $300,000 plus playoffs bonus. I call the NHL
the No Home Life. I was on the road pretty much all the time.
Even the job I did (prior to the lock out) keeps me on the road
about 25 days each month. So you miss your kidÂ's birthdays and
anniversaries. Years ago, we use to play Christmas Day. It was
nothing for us to celebrate Christmas on the 16th or 29th of
December. We did what we had to do to survive. You also have to
have a very independent wife, who can live her own life while
youÂ're away.
What are a few of your good
memories?
I worked my 1,000th game in Toronto in the
80s, which was a great honour. I had my family there and it was
neat.
I worked the Rendez-Vous Â'87 in Quebec City,
and it was one of the most memorable events I have ever been
involved in. We received first-class treatment and it was great
hockey to boot.
On to the NHL lockout, what are
your thoughts on the mess?
I couldnÂ't believe it and how itÂ's dragging
on. I thought it would be done in a month. What bothers me the
most is all the people that it has affected. Tens of thousands
of people, from refs to souvenir people, vendors to airlines,
hotels, parking people etc., itÂ's astronomical the amount of
people deeply affected. Our office had every one let go,
terminated. A lot of excellent people in all areas have gone
elsewhere and you canÂ't replace them. I do think hockey can
recover. I am not certain we should be rebuilding the entire
game overnight. There are some ideas they should put in. I
think we can make the game more exciting. ItÂ's imperative we
allow skilled players to play and have free range.
The state of the game Â-
whatÂ's your take on it?
I do believe, when you see the size of some
of these goalies without equipment nowadays, and with their
equipment on, thereÂ's not a lot of space to put the puck in
the net. I agree with smaller equipment. I think we have come a
long way with obstruction, albeit, you get the announcers who
say the longer the seasons goes, less calls. You have to give
the players and coaches credit. They have done a good job
trying to eliminate obstruction too. Any rule, the players will
try to circumvent it. We have to be persistent, and eventually
we will get it cleaned up.
WhatÂ's your current
status?
I am unemployed. However, I feeling strongly,
when they start back up, I will be doing the same job, which is
coaching the AHL and NHL refs and linesmen. ItÂ's fulfilling,
especially working with the young kids and seeing their
progress.
Out of everything you have done
-whatÂ's one of your all-time favourite memories?
When I was working the Rendez-Vous Â'87, my
wife and other officials and their wives were in a restaurant
at one point. We are sitting at the table and in walks Wayne
Gretzky and Vladislav Tretiak, arm in arm with fur coats and
hats on. The two of them came over and gave us all a big hug.
It was unbelievable. We were all in awe because they didnÂ't
have to do that.
