Stephen Walkom named new director of officiating

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:39 pm

Replaces Andy Van Hellemond....never thought of him as a good ref, but we shall see how he does in charge.

TORONTO — In a surprise move Wednesday the NHL named Stephen Walkom its next director of officiating.

The announcement means Walkom, 41, will immediately retire from the ice and resign the presidency of the NHLOA.

“With the rule changes that the league has adopted for the upcoming season, we believe that Stephen is ideally suited to provide direction and guidance to our on-ice officials,” said NHL executive vice president Colin Campbell.

As recently as last week rumours indicated the league was considering retired referees Bruce Hood and Terry Gregson for the position, which has been vacant since last summer’s resignation of Andy Van Hellemond.

Walkom, who resides in suburban Pittsburgh, was hired by the NHL in 1990 after a successful amateur career that included Hockey Canada Level VI status and the Memorial Cup.

In addition to more than 600 regular season games and 84 playoff games, his NHL career included the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, 2004 World Cup, and two Stanley Cup Finals.

He is also director of the North American School of Officiating, a summer development camp for aspiring hockey officials.

Information on Walkom’s yearly salary wasn’t available, but one source indicated it to be around US$250,000 (203,000 euros).

Bizzarofelice · Post by **Bizzarofelice** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:43 pm

If he beats Don Koharski to a pulp, he's worth the salary.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:45 pm

Will they pay him enough so he doesn't have to ask refs for a loan?

al? · Post by **al?** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:07 pm

He's just keeping the chair warm for Kerry Fraiser in a few years.

jiminphilly · Post by **jiminphilly** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:44 pm

Bizzarofelice wrote:If he beats Don Koharski to a pulp, he's worth the salary.

Glad someone else besides a Flyers fan thought this guy was nothing short of the worst NHL official ever.

Cuda · Post by **Cuda** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:24 pm

al? wrote:He's just keeping the chair warm for Kerry Fraiser in a few years.

I sure hope the chair you're talking about is an electric one.

Kerry may not be the worst ref ever, but... what the fuck am I saying? Of course he's the worst ref ever. Koharski couldn't even hold Frazier's white cane with the red tip

al? · Post by **al?** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:50 pm

There's a reason why Fraiser officiates important games and seemingly every Stanley Cup Finals' series for the last decade.

Mr. Fraiser is just and fair. Right Flamefan? :wink:

JD · Post by JD » Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:03 pm

al? wrote:There's a reason why Fraiser officiates important games and seemingly every Stanley Cup Finals' series for the last decade.

Mr. Fraiser is just and fair. Right Flamefan? :wink:

I hope the Lightning put a couple EXTRA diamonds in Kerry Fraser's Stanley Cup ring.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:20 pm

JD wrote:
al? wrote:There's a reason why Fraiser officiates important games and seemingly every Stanley Cup Finals' series for the last decade.

Mr. Fraiser is just and fair. Right Flamefan? :wink:
I hope the Lightning put a couple EXTRA diamonds in Kerry Fraser's Stanley Cup ring.

The Kings should thank Fraser for letting them get to the cup finals.

al? · Post by **al?** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:22 pm

Nobody's giving Wayne Gretzky a major for high sticking in game 6 of the conference final.

Nobody.

Besides, if 'Killer' didn't drop and flop all over the ice like a bleedin Euro, maybe he would've got the call. Fraser doesn't care for embellishers.

Smoked Meat · Post by **Smoked Meat** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:47 pm

al? wrote:He's just keeping the chair warm for Kerry Fraiser in a few years.

We'll see about that. Fraser reportedly once declared he would take the job only if he was supplied free hair gel throughout his mandate.

Adelpiero · Post by **Adelpiero** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:42 am

fire blaine angus immediately, he is fucking horrible!

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:55 pm

al? wrote:
Besides, if 'Killer' didn't drop and flop all over the ice like a bleedin Euro, maybe he would've got the call. Fraser doesn't care for embellishers.

:roll: :roll:

Yeah, that's it. Killer was cut on that play, and his blood was all over Gretzky's stick. If he had balls he would have called it, but the NHL did everything it could to make sure it wasn't an all-Canadian final.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:58 pm

OMG, you are still bitter about that 12 years later?!?

Probably about as bitter as I am about McSucky having an illegal stick in Game 2 of the Cup final.