Sep 22, 2026 · 36 min · 12 segments
Former NHL referee and current Vice President & Director of Officiating for the NHL Steve Walkom joins The NOHA’s Jacob Brown and Nipissing Lakers Men’s Hockey Coach Mike McParland from the 2026 NOHA…
Mike McParlandGuest
Steve WalkomGuest
Jacob BrownHost
Speaking of that, Mike knows my involvement level in, in the game of baseball and how much I love the game.
So by no means, viewers, is, is this me sliding baseball officials or, or anybody like that.
But there is a, a stereotypical look of potentially a baseball umpire, right? You, you look at a, an older guard, like a Joe West and, and people like that, they're bigger guys and, and things like that, that don't really necessarily have to take care of themselves in a way that a baseball player would.
You're looking at NHL referees and if, and linespeople, you don't see any of them out of shape, right? Not only are they good skaters, do they know the game, they have to take really good care of their bodies.
So how difficult is that over the course of, uh, an 82-game season for a team? I don't really know how many games a, a referee or a linesman would, would, uh, skate in a year, but how difficult and how important is that for that official to not only stay up to date and, and everything with the ongoing changes and whatnot in the league, but also take care of their body and be ready to go?
It's, it's a, it's an absolute prerequisite now to, to be a top official in the NHL.
I think our, our team prides itself on, you know, coming to camp in great shape, just like the players do.
And, you know, the officials in the NHL, they, uh, they, they, they need to make sure they keep up with the pace of the game.
And if you're gonna call the game that's as fast as it is today, uh, your feet better be moving, uh, you better be able to stay out of the way, so you need to be agile and you need to be quick.
So there's, there's really no, there's no way that you can be on the ice and, and not be in great physical shape.
Uh, you got pucks, you got sticks, you got, you got players, you got accidents that happen on the ice.
I mean, I think for most of our guys, they love that physical challenge in the game.
Uh, and then you have the, the, the mental challenge that goes along with it as well.
We have a full-time trainer, we have a nutritionist that works with us, we have a doctor.
Um, so we're quite busy and, uh, and we're quite committed to serving the people that serve the game.
Meaning, we're doing everything we can to make sure that, that we can help them, you know, get to the highest level in terms of performance possible when the puck drops.
Speaking of that, Mike knows my involvement level in, in the game of baseball and how much I love the game.
So by no means, viewers, is, is this me sliding baseball officials or, or anybody like that.
But there is a, a stereotypical look of potentially a baseball umpire, right? You, you look at a, an older guard, like a Joe West and, and people like that, they're bigger guys and, and things like that, that don't really necessarily have to take care of themselves in a way that a baseball player would.
You're looking at NHL referees and if, and linespeople, you don't see any of them out of shape, right? Not only are they good skaters, do they know the game, they have to take really good care of their bodies.
So how difficult is that over the course of, uh, an 82-game season for a team? I don't really know how many games a, a referee or a linesman would, would, uh, skate in a year, but how difficult and how important is that for that official to not only stay up to date and, and everything with the ongoing changes and whatnot in the league, but also take care of their body and be ready to go?
It's, it's a, it's an absolute prerequisite now to, to be a top official in the NHL.
I think our, our team prides itself on, you know, coming to camp in great shape, just like the players do.
And, you know, the officials in the NHL, they, uh, they, they, they need to make sure they keep up with the pace of the game.
And if you're gonna call the game that's as fast as it is today, uh, your feet better be moving, uh, you better be able to stay out of the way, so you need to be agile and you need to be quick.
So there's, there's really no, there's no way that you can be on the ice and, and not be in great physical shape.
Uh, you got pucks, you got sticks, you got, you got players, you got accidents that happen on the ice.
I mean, I think for most of our guys, they love that physical challenge in the game.
Uh, and then you have the, the, the mental challenge that goes along with it as well.
We have a full-time trainer, we have a nutritionist that works with us, we have a doctor.
Um, so we're quite busy and, uh, and we're quite committed to serving the people that serve the game.
Meaning, we're doing everything we can to make sure that, that we can help them, you know, get to the highest level in terms of performance possible when the puck drops.
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