Calgary Hockey Magazine Winter 2019 Edition

WINTER 2019

Feature

interviews: • Mikael Backlund • Lisa Bowes • Dave King

Don Cherry

and WHL team up

for Organ Donation

Calgary Inferno’s :

Erica

Kromm

The Kidney Foundation of Canada, WHL and RE/MAX have teamed up to promote organ donation in Canada.

Your WHL team is suiting up with Don Cherry to shine the spotlight on organ donation. Come to the games and check out the Don Cherry bobbleheads, and Don Cherry team jersey auction.

Learn more at CanadaDonates.ca

Edmonton Oil Kings Sat Jan 19, 2019

Lethbridge Hurricanes Swift Current Broncos Fri Feb 22, 2019

Red Deer Rebels Fri Jan 25, 2019

Kootenay ICE Fri Mar 1, 2019

Kamloops Blazers Moose Jaw Warriors Fri Feb 1, 2019

Victoria Royals Sat Mar 2, 2019

Prince Albert Raiders Sat Feb 2, 2019 Regina Pats Vancouver Giants Fri Feb 15, 2019 Brandon Wheat Kings Sat Feb 16, 2019

Calgary Hitmen Sun Mar 3, 2019 Prince George Cougars Fri Mar 8, 2019 Kelowna Rockets Medicine Hat Tigers Saskatoon Blades Sat Mar 9, 2019

CanadaDonates.ca

Message From

The Publisher Welcome to our Winter Edition of the Calgary Hockey Magazine.

In this edition, we have a feature interview on Erica Kromm who plays for the Calgary Inferno. If the Kromm name sounds familiar, Erica’s father, Richard, was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 1982 NHL entry draft. Richard Kromm went on to play three seasons for the Flames, and finished his playing career with the New York Islanders.

Another Flames draft pick is featured in this issue, Mikael Backlund, who is in his tenth full season with the Calgary Flames. Backlund is one of the Flames most dependable forwards, and has received consideration for the Selke Trophy as one of the NHL’s top defensive forwards.

We also have a feature interview with Lisa Bowes, who has an impressive career as a sports anchor, host and reporter. Bowes is also an author, and her latest book, “Lucy Tries Hockey,” promotes and encourages all people, not just children, to try the sport of hockey.

For regular readers of our magazine, you may remember the attention our magazine gave to support and encourage organ donation last hockey season. Inspired by the passing of my brother, Ric Suggitt, who died of a brain aneurism in 2017, I wanted to do my utmost to promote organ donation. My brother donated his organs, and gave the gift of life to six different people. When I learned about the WHL and Don Cherry program to promote organ donation last season, we ran a feature article promoting organ donation, and provided free ad space to the Kidney Foundation in all three editions of our magazine during the 2017-2018 season. (Which we are doing again this 2018-2019 season.)

Here’s a bit more background. My late brother was an organ donor, and gave the gift of life to six different people. Ric was an international rugby coach, having coached the men’s and women’s sides for Canada, and the women’s 7’s for USA. Ric returned to Canada in 2015 to coach rugby at the University of Lethbridge, and became close friends with Toby Boulet, the father of a soon to be famous “gone far too soon” young hockey player by the name of Logan Boulet. Through my brother’s friendship with Logan’s father, my brother trained Logan (and three of his hockey friends), helping Logan become the fittest player on the Humboldt Broncos. When Logan Boulet died in that tragic bus accident in April, our family learned that Logan was inspired to be an organ donor because of my brother. This became known as the “Boulet Effect,” which has inspired over 100,000 people across Canada to become organ donors. We will have more on this story in our next edition of the magazine, our Spring Edition, which hits the stands in early March.

Until then, if you have any ideas or suggestions for an upcoming edition of the magazine, please pass it along. Maybe it’s a coach who goes the extra mile, maybe it’s a young minor hockey official making his or her way, or maybe it’s a hockey event making a difference in the community. If it’s hockey related, we’re all ears!

CREDITS President and Publisher: Rob Suggitt Art Director: Christine Kucher Graphic Designers: Cailey Welk, Katelyn Suggitt Contributing Writers: Jeremy Freeborn, Rob Suggitt Copy Editing: Shari Narine Photography Credits: Calgary Flames Gerry Thomas, Calgary Flames Jon Howe Dave Holland Colin Way Juha Saastamoinen, Hockey Canada Images SC Parker Photography Sales Associate: Lynn Schuster, Jeremy Freeborn Administration: Amber Grmek President & CFO: Rob Suggitt 10177 - 105 Street, Edmonton AB T5J 1E2 Ph: 780.423.5834 Fax: 780.413.6185 All Rights Reserved. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, ie. electronic, mechanical, photocopied or otherwise recorded without the prior written permission of the publisher - www.suggitt.com

Printed By R.R. Donnelley Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Sincerely,

Rob Suggitt Publisher of the

Calgary Hockey Magazine Calgary Hockey Magazine | 3

the most delicious destination in the Canadian Rockies

Reservation: 1.800.661.1586 www.posthotel.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS 6.

14. dave king................................

8. LISA BOWES....................................... 16. erica kromm.........................

10. FIRED UP: ORGAN DONATION........18. matthew phillips................

12. arena locator map....................20. Spotlight...............................

Mikael Backlund.........................

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 5

B ACKLUND ACKLUND A C K L U N D KEEPS GOALS SIMPLE: MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AND WIN THE CUP

Photos by Gerry Thomas, Calgary Flames

By Jeremy Freeborn

When the Calgary Flames selected Swedish centre Mikael Backlund in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft, there was speculation he would be a top six forward for many years to come.

At the time, the Flames were looking for a playmaking centre who could compliment Jarome Iginla, and there was hope Backlund would be the rising star who could fit that void.

Backlund only played one year in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets in 2008-09, but showcased excellent offensive numbers. In 28 regular season games, he had 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points and then had 13 goals (led the WHL) and 10 assists for 23 points in 19 playoff games. During the 2009 WHL playoffs, Flames fans got to see Backlund first hand as the Rockets beat the Calgary Hitmen four games to two in the 2009 WHL final.

The 2009 Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Quebec, was loaded with future NHL stars. Backlund’s Kelowna teammates included future Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and future Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers, who is currently with the Winnipeg Jets. On the other side, the Ontario Hockey League champion Windsor Spitfires had Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils, Adam Henrique of the Anaheim Ducks, and Ryan Ennis of the Nashville Predators.

The Rockets finished first in the round robin with a record of two wins and one loss, and then lost 4-1 to the Spitfires in the Memorial Cup final. Backlund had four assists in four games in the national tournament.

Also during the 2008-09 season, Backlund played his first game with the Calgary Flames. It came on Jan. 8, 2009, in a 5-2 Flames win over the New York Islanders at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

6 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

Even though Backlund only got one shot on goal in 10 minutes and 44 seconds, he remembers he had a great scoring chance on Islanders goaltender and future Flames Joey MacDonald.

“I hit the post right off the faceoff,” Backlund said in an exclusive interview for Hockey Magazine Calgary after Flames practice in October. “It was a great and awesome feeling playing my first game. Before the game, I remember sitting in the lounge, and they came up to me to say I was playing because Todd Bertuzzi was hurt. I just remember saying, ‘What?’”

In Backlund’s first full season of professional hockey, in 200910, he stayed in British Columbia and played for the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League, the Flames’ top affiliate.

He also played 23 games that season for the Flames. However, he wasn’t a top six forward, but a checking line centre, expected to play a defensive role and shutdown the opponents’ top lines.

In his first two NHL seasons, he flourished as he was a +9 with 23 blocked shots and 47 takeaways in 96 regular season games.

Backlund explained the challenges early on in his hockey career of playing in his own zone.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I came over from Europe as a scoring player. In my second camp, I was sent down pretty early and was told to learn to play defense. It was a big adjustment for me, but definitely helped. In my first year in the NHL, I played a lot of fourth-line minutes where there was focus on defense. I kept working on both (offense and defense) and that is (why) I am where I am today. I believed in myself and worked hard on both ends of the rink.”

In the last 11 seasons, Backlund has been one of the Flames most dependable forwards. He has even received Selke Trophy consideration over the last two years, and was fourth in voting for the NHL’s best defensive forward in 2016-17.

B ACKLUND BACKLUND A C K L U N ” D He has also been counted on more offensively. In 2016-17, he reached a career high 53 points, and last season, had a career high 214 shots on goal. This season, he is where most Flames fans thought he would be to start his NHL career—among the top six Flames forwards and centering a dynamic line with wingers Michael Frolik and Keith Tkachuk. In the early part of the 2018-19 NHL regular season, the trio has combined for 25 points in 13 games.

Backlund’s most memorable moment with the Flames came in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. He scored an overtime winner from Dennis Wideman and T.J. Brodie at 4:24 of the extra period in a 4-3 Flames win over the Anaheim Ducks in game three of their second round playoff series. “It was an awesome feeling,” he said.

A native of Vasteras, Sweden, Backlund is currently one of three Swedes on the Flames. He is joined by forward Elias Lindholm of Boden and defenseman Rasmus Andersson of Malmo.

Though Backlund is 6,931 kilometres away from home, he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Calgary, even dating back to his time before joining the Flames.

In 2006, Backlund represented Team Sweden at the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament in Calgary. The Swedes defeated the Saskatoon Contacts 3-2 in the gold medal game and Backlund was a second team all-star.

“I was really excited to be drafted by Calgary,” he said. “I stayed with a great billet family for the Mac’s tournament and had great memories.”

Backlund has had a great impact on the ice with the Flames.

However he has had just as big of an impact off the ice. He and his wife Frida have been involved with many local charities, including ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Kids Cancer Care, Special Olympics, the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society and CB Rescue.

Backlund is also a former winner of the Ralph T. Scurfield Award, presented to the Flames player who combines perseverance, determination and leadership on the ice, along with dedicated community service. He won the award in 2014, and was humbled with the recognition.

“It meant a lot,” he said. “It was during my career where I was trying to establish myself in the league. To get that recognition was big. “

In 2018-19, Backlund’s goals with the Calgary Flames are simple.

The first is to make a return to the Stanley Cup playoffs and the second is to win the Stanley Cup. Backlund is extremely dedicated not just to the Flames organization, but the city of Calgary itself.

”

I just try to do what I can,” he said.

“I enjoy helping others, especially those who are struggling in life or need some extra help. I really get excited about helping other people, and do what I can to help them feel better. I have been touched in different ways throughout the organizations. Last year, Frida hosted an event during one of the games for CB Rescue and raised $5,000. We have two dogs ourselves and it is heartbreaking for us to see how some people treat their dogs. Different countries have different views of dogs and cats. We try and help small organizations grow, and help more and more animals.

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 7

Photo by Colin Way

Lisa Bowes Using hockey to make a difference in society...

By Jeremy Freeborn

For nearly three decades, Lisa Bowes was frequently seen on Canadian television either as a sports anchor, host or reporter.

From 1994-1997 and again from 2004-2017, Bowes worked in Calgary, first with TSN and then with CTV Calgary. She regularly covered the Calgary Flames, but also covered a variety of other sports through the feature “the CTV Athlete of the Week.”

In addition to being a pioneer in Canadian sports broadcasting as the first woman to be an editorial assistant for TSN’s Sportsdesk, Bowes has also become a children’s author. This past year, her book “Lucy Tries Hockey” was published. It is the fourth book of a series that also includes “Lucy Tries Luge,” “Lucy Tries Short Track (speed skating)” and “Lucy Tries Soccer.”

In early November, Bowes spoke with Hockey Magazine Calgary to discuss her latest publication, which tries to encourage all people, not just children, to try the sport of hockey. Within the book, Lucy is seen skating with her grandparents, skating on the ice with other children (including a para-ice hockey player), and learning elementary hockey drills such as shooting the puck, stickhandling and skating over hockey sticks and around pylons.

Bowes explains the importance of including para-ice hockey in the book. “I feel very strongly that the characters are diverse. I love sharing the message that para-ice hockey is a sport all of us can play.”

There are also some interesting facts about hockey at the end of the book. Bowes discusses para-ice hockey and other types of hockey further, mentions goaltenders are not introduced into hockey until the novice level, introduces the reader to the International Ice Hockey Federation and how National Hockey League referees are giving back to their communities.

“What I really like about this book is that we are reinforcing Canada’s principles of healthy child development,” said Bowes.

“The principles being five things in order to stay in sport. They (children) need to play creatively, need to participate and have a voice in their participation, need to master a skill, make a friend and have a caring adult relationship, that being the coach.

8 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

In ‘Lucy Tries Hockey’ it reinforces all of those principles. In the opening scene, I am really trying to reinforce that an active start equals an active life. Hockey was the perfect sport to reinforce these principles.”

Bowes first started thinking about developing the book series as she was preparing for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where she was to cover women’s hockey. She was looking for books to read to her two year old daughter related to Olympic sport and could not find anything. From the beginning, her books have become an excellent educational resource for parents and schools.

Bowes also chose hockey because it is the most popular winter team sport in the world and she is trying to help grow the game.

According to Vice Sports, hockey has fallen behind soccer and swimming when it comes to youth participation numbers, with basketball quickly growing and gaining momentum. Ironically, Bowes’s next book in her series will be “Lucy Tries Basketball.”

“Lucy Tries Hockey” is in French as well and has been endorsed throughout the hockey community, having received high praise from Hayley Wickenheiser, Danielle Goyette, David Marcoux, Dave King, Mark Giordano and Martin Gelinas.

“Lucy likes challenges! She loves learning new things and tries her best,” said Gelinas. “As a coach, I love Lucy’s attitude and think that it will have a positive impact on young readers.”

“I think it’s great. I love Lucy,” said King. “I think it’s a great way to help in the education of young people. Her book is about getting kids active, getting involved in activities and sport.

It is a novel way to do it. She (Lisa) has captured a character that is really, really cute and kids can identify with. I give Lisa a lot of credit. That is a very interesting project. We need more things like that. We are in a day and age where we have so much technology for children. There’s computers, iPads and cell phones. I think Lisa’s message is really important for kids and parents. To me it is a wonderful topic.”

Even though the central character is a girl, Bowes stresses that the book is for all children.

“

“

Lisa Bowes, along with Hometown Hockey hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone

I feel very strongly that the characters are diverse. I love sharing the message that para-ice hockey is a sport all of us can play.

“It is really important that we recognize that Lucy is for all kids.

Children do not see gender. Boys love Lucy just as much as girls.

She is an empowering figure for both of them. Right now in Canada we are at a pending crisis. Our children are not moving like they should be and not reading as much as they should be.

(My book) is trying to address the declining physical literacy and reading literacy, and through these books we want kids to be inspired to try sport, and live healthier and happier lives.”

Bowes offers a startling statistic: in Canada, only 14 per cent of children between five years and 11 years are reaching their recommended activity levels.

“Overall, Canada gets a D+ for physical activity among our youth.

I am trying to make a difference with this series. As children are learning to read, hopefully they are inspired by Lucy and friends,” she said.

In June of 2018, Bowes became part of the Sport Calgary Board of Directors. As a volunteer, she is continuing to foster physical activity at the grassroots level and encouraging families to be active. She has a post-secondary degree in physical education from the University of Western Ontario that she is able to apply to this position.

In evaluating the state of women’s hockey today, Bowes is excited at what she sees. “The women’s game is beautiful.

It is a great game and has evolved. I think it is wonderful to see the Calgary Flames supporting the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and Calgary Inferno games now being heard on Sportsnet 960 The FAN.” There is no doubt that Bowes is starting to make a difference in Canadian hockey through writing, but she has already made an impact in Canadian broadcasting with hockey at the forefront.

As a broadcaster, she covered the National Women’s Hockey League with Kylie Richardson and was a reporter/host for women’s hockey for CTV at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. She recalls the last women’s Olympic hockey tournament on Canadian ice fondly.

“The gold medal game for Canada was a special time. It was a coming out party for Marie-Philip Poulin. The older guard and future stars blended so well in the whole tournament.”

Bowes has also loved her time in Calgary, and thinks very highly of the city.

“This city has so much to offer in being an active city,” she said.

“It is such a sports city with the Olympic facilities. At both times coming here, I felt a boost of energy covering the sports scene.

Obviously, I spent a lot of my time with the Calgary Flames. It was interesting to see Jarome Iginla at the first part of his career and to see him as he left Calgary. The longer you are around, your perceptions of things builds, and you have great context. I have been very blessed to come to the city and cover this team on two tours.”

Bowes also loved her time in the press box at the Scotiabank Saddledome. In her early broadcasting years covering the Flames for TSN, she had the privilege of sitting between Calgary sports broadcasting icons Ed Whalen and Ken Newans.

“They were legends of southern Alberta broadcasting. When the Anaheim Mighty Ducks came into the NHL, and they came on to the ice at the Saddledome, I still remember Ed’s voice when he asked, ‘Where’s the duck?’ To this day, Ken is a mentor to me. I have so much respect for him and his broadcasting generation.

They are two treasures.”

In the future, Bowes would like to be part of the journey where active living in Canada becomes the norm. She would like Canada to be considered as one of the world’s most active countries, and promote the belief that physical activity improves mental health and social skills. For the last three decades, Bowes has been a trailblazer in the broadcast booth and is now making a significant impact through the written word in getting across her message of promoting healthy living for all Canadians, especially Canadian youth.

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 9

WHO BETTER THAN THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY

TO COME TOGETHER & GET CANADIANS

FIRED UP

ABOUT ORGAN DONATION We all know Don Cherry, the colourful, tell-it-like-it-is host of “Coach’s Corner” on Hockey Night in Canada. What you may not know is that when Don was coaching the Boston Bruins in the 1970s, the Cherry family faced a major crisis: 15-year-old Tim Cherry was diagnosed with kidney disease.

Don said, “Timothy was playing and I noticed his feet were swelling. I thought it was new running shoes or getting hit by a puck or something.”

After a visit to the doctor, Tim immediately went on dialysis.

“I had no idea what dialysis even meant. We found out awful fast. You don’t really know anything about kidney disease or dialysis until it hits home,” said Don. “Dialysis was tough on Tim,” notes Don, admitting he was scared and frustrated that he couldn’t help. “I was a chicken, and I let my wife Rose handle it.

“One day Rose said, ‘That’s it! No 15-year-old old boy should have to go through this. One of us is giving a kidney’.” Sister Cindy ended up being Tim’s best match. “They were like twins.

You couldn’t tell the difference,” their dad said.

dialysis machine every other day, I started to wonder if I’d ever see light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how strong of mind or spirit you are, it slowly starts to wear you down. For me, the talk of a transplant brought back some hope,” he said.

“When I got the kidney from Cindy, I realized I didn’t have to go on that machine and that’s when I first appreciated the miracle of receiving the gift of life.”

What stands out for Cindy is “how quickly we rebounded. Tim and I broke a record (at the time) for getting out of the hospital.

I was out in seven days and my brother was out in 10 days.”

Cindy and Don agree that more awareness, especially around organ donation and transplantation, is the key to making life easier for many kidney patients.

“We started talking about what we could do, and that’s when it came to us - who better than the hockey community to come together and get Canadians fired up about organ donation,” said Cindy.

Cindy, just 21 at the time, travelled from Kingston where she was attending college, to Boston. When the nephrologist asked Cindy if she was sure she wanted to donate, she responded, “There’s no question.” Today Cindy jokes, “We aren’t a gushy, overly-emotional family, but we do give kidneys.”

“I never realized the seriousness of it all until I saw both of them going down the aisle for surgery,” Don said. After the transplant, Don remembers watching Tim’s colour come back.

“I hadn’t seen the colour in over a year. To see his cheeks rosy red again was incredible. We thank God every day for it. That was 40 years ago and he’s going strong.”

Tim, a successful hockey scout and video producer, remembers his experiences vividly. “My first day on dialysis was one I will never forget. As I sank into the routine of being hooked up to a

10 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

Cindy Cherry & her brother Tim

“

I KNEW THE PEOPLE OF THE WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE WOULD COME THROUGH, AND THEY CAME THROUGH IN SPADES. $265,500 IS THE MOST EVER RAISED FOR ORGAN DONATION AND WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT MAKES YOU VERY PROUD TO BE A CANADIAN.

“

- DON CHERRY And so began the largest public awareness and fundraising campaign for organ donation in the history of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Now in its second year, “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation,” features a series of special hockey games across the WHL in Western Canada to promote the importance of organ donation and generate support for The Kidney Foundation. In its first year through the 2017-18 WHL regular season, hockey fans and the kidney community came together to raise more than $265,500.

“We are grateful for this incredible partnership,” said Joyce Van Deurzen of the The Kidney Foundation. “four thousand five hudred Canadians are waiting for a transplant, and each year 260 people will die waiting. Our goal is a transplant for everyone who needs one, and this partnership is a huge part of turning that goal into a reality.”

“I knew the people of the Western Hockey League would come through, and they came through in spades,” said Don Cherry. “We couldn’t have done it without RE/MAX, our sponsor. $265,500 is the most ever raised for organ donation and when you see something like that, it makes you very proud to be a Canadian.”

From January through March 2019, all 17 WHL Clubs in Canadian markets will host their very own themed games, complete with a variety of special promotions for fans in attendance.

One thousand limited second edition Don Cherry bobbleheads will be distributed to fans.

Each hockey club will wear its own unique Don Cherry-themed uniforms on a designated game night. This year, the players’ uniforms will be emblazoned with fun nicknames across their backs. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the limitededition jerseys, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to local branches of The Kidney Foundation.

In addition to game-worn uniforms, fans will have the chance to bid on a Don Cherry-autographed jersey in each participating WHL market. Transplant recipients, donors, and people on the wait list will be dropping the puck at each game, sharing their personal stories with hockey fans.

“When I think of Tim and how desperate we were driving back and forth in Boston, we thought it was the end of the world, and our lives were over. The Lord was good,” said Don Cherry.

Always in the kidney patient’s corner, Don said:

“Try not to despair, keep plugging along. Never give up – that’s the name of the game.”

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 11

ARENA ADDRESSES 1.

Acadia Rec. Centre 240 - 90th Avenue SE

9.

17.

SAIT Arena 1301 - 16th Avenue NW

2.

Bowness Sportsplex 7904 - 43rd Avenue NW

10.

Frank McCool Arena 1900 Lake Bonavista Drive SE

18.

Sarcee Seven Chiefs Sportsplex 3700 Anderson Road SW

3.

Brentwood Sportsplex 1520 Northmount Drive NW

11.

Jack Setters Arena 2020 - 69th Avenue SE

19.

Shouldice Arena 1515 Home Road NW

4.

Cardel Recreation Centre South 333 Shawville Blvd SE #100

12.

Max Bell Centre 1001 Barlow Trail SE

20.

Stew Hendry/Henry Viney Arena 814 - 13 Avenue NE

5.

Don Hartman North East Sportsplex 5206 - 68th Street NE

13.

Mount Pleasant Sportsplex 610 - 23rd Avenue NW

21.

Stu Peppard Arena 5300 - 19th Street SW

6.

East Calgary Twin Arena Society 299 Erin Woods Drive SE

14.

Father David Bauer Olympic Arena 2424 University Drive NW

22.

Trico Centre 11150 Bonaventure Drive SE

7.

Ed Whalen/Joseph Kryczka Arenas 2000 Southland Drive SW

15.

Optimist/George Blundun Arena 5020 - 26th Avenue SW

23.

Village Square Leisure Centre 2623 - 56th Street NE

8.

Ernie Starr Arena 4808 - 14th Avenue SE

16.

Rose Kohn/Jimmie Condon Arena 502 Heritage Drive SW

24.

Westside Regional Rec. Centre 2000 - 69th Street SW

12 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

Flames Community Arenas 2390 - 47th Avenue SW

Arena Locator Map

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 13

Photo by Calgary Flames

Photo by Juha Saastamoinen/Hockey Canada Images

Dave King

Coaching Legend Inducted in Alberta Sports Hall of Fame For the last 46 years, Dave King has been coaching hockey.

You could find him behind the bench at the intercollegiate and junior hockey levels in Saskatoon, in the National Hockey League (including the Calgary Flames), in the international scene with Canada and Japan, and in the European countries of Russia, Germany and Sweden.

However, this season you will find King living in Arizona writing about hockey, specifically about how the game has changed. At 70 years of age, there is no doubt he has a lot to write about.

He first started coaching hockey in the 1970s, in an era where Bobby Orr was the game’s superstar. It was a time when NHL expansion and the WHA were at the forefront, and there was significantly more opportunities for players to play hockey for a living than from a decade before.

In November, I had the privilege of interviewing Dave King for Hockey Magazine Calgary. We discussed his coaching career and his recent induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in Red Deer.

“It was terrific,” said King. “I had 15 great years in Alberta working with some great people such as Dale Henwood of Hockey Alberta. I really enjoyed my time there. To get an honour like that is really special. It certainly was really nice and I was honoured.”

14 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

By Jeremy Freeborn

King was inducted with two other members who had connections with the Calgary Flames—former player Theoren Fleury and radio colour-commentator Doug Barkley. King has high praise for both of his fellow hockey inductees.

“Theo was a great little player,” said King, who coached Fleury, only 5’6” and 180 pounds while with the Flames from 19921995. “This gentleman overcame a lot of things, obviously. The most obvious for hockey would be his size. He never took ‘no’ for an answer, and all the way up earned his keep. He was a great professional player. Now he has a great message for people, too.

It is really good to see Theo putting so much in to helping others.

He has gone through some battles and has won those battles. I am really proud with the way he has done that.”

Said King about Doug Barkley, who was with the Flames from 1980-2001, “He did the colour commentary with Peter Maher.

Bark was a good player in his own right and was going to be a really good NHL player until he had an eye injury (in 1966). Bark is a terrific guy. He does a lot for the game and certainly everybody in the province should be proud of people like Doug Barkley.”

King also likes what he sees with the state of sport in Alberta at the moment.

In King’s first year of coaching (1972-73), he was as an assistant for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. From there, he became the head coach of the Saskatoon Quakers of the North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the Saskatoon Olympics of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and then returned to the Huskies as the head coach in 1979.

The team name of the ‘Olympics’ is ironic because he was the head coach of the Canadian Olympic Team at the 1984 Games in Sarajevo, 1988 Games in Calgary, and at the 1992 Games in Albertville, where he won a silver medal. Unlike today, during the 1980s, Hockey Canada had formed a Canadian National Team that played together throughout each hockey season. King was the coach of this squad from 1982-1992, and has great memories from the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.

“I have to tell you, I don’t think I ever enjoyed my coaching as much as I enjoyed coaching the Olympic team,” said King. “I worked with young, motivated players with the goal in mind of playing at the Olympics. It was a terrific opportunity. I can’t remember ever going to work with the Olympic team. I never thought it was work. I just thought it was a terrific opportunity and honour to be involved with our Olympic movement. Hosting in Calgary was really special. The result wasn’t quite what we wanted (fourth place in 1988). However it wasn’t (because of) a lack of effort. The guys did a really good job.”

Then four years later, King was pleased to guide Team Canada to the gold medal game, and a second place finish.

“It was really special,” he said. “At the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, we lost a key game to Finland, which knocked us out of the medals. Going into 1992, it was really, really special. I knew it was going to be my last Olympics in the program because I was looking at the opportunity of moving on and meeting some new faces. To win in Albertville was terrific and we had a great group of young individuals (including Eric Lindros and Joe Juneau), and I had the chance to work with Dale Henwood, Wayne Fleming and Terry Crisp. The years leading up to 1992 were special. We lost the gold medal game to the Russians, but we were so proud of how the kids performed.”

The new faces King got to know after the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville would be the Calgary Flames organization.

He was named the Flames head coach on May 22, 1992.

“Being at the Saddledome (with the Canadian National Team) and watching the Flames practice every day was really kind of neat. I was always really proud to be part of the Flames organization. It’s a great organization and people know that in the province. What they have done with their legacy funds to help sport was really special. It was great to coach the Flames. I really enjoyed it.”

Following his time with the Flames, King spent 12 more years in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens (assistant coach and director of European scouting), Columbus Blue Jackets (head coach) and Phoenix Coyotes (assistant coach, development coach and senior advisor).

“

I worked with young, motivated players with the goal in mind of playing at the Olympics. It was a terrific opportunity.

“

“There is so much activity, and a lot of it has to go back to the Olympics. Having all of these facilities with a legacy in the province, there is so much growth in sport because Calgary hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1988. It is really, really impressive.”

In Europe, he coached the Hamburg Freezers and Adler Mannheim in Germany, Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in Russia, and the Malmö Redhawks in Sweden.

King’s time with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl came two years after the horrific plane crash that killed the team, including former Flames defenseman and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl head coach Brad McCrimmon.

When asked what the major differences are between coaching at the NHL level versus other levels, King offered the following response. “There isn’t as big of a difference as people would think,” he said. “Players get paid a lot of money, but I found them terrific to work with. For the most part, most of the players are very professional. They want to get better and make their careers last as long as they possibly can. They are people with families like everybody else.”

Even though King’s coaching career came to an end this past season, it was still a memorable time for him. He was an assistant coach for a Team Canada squad that won the bronze medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.

“It was special to work with Willie Desjardins and Sean Burke, two people I have coached in the past,” he said. “It was a very interesting experience because never before had Canada put together a team like this. In 1984 and 1988 (as well as 1980, 1992 and 1994) there were full-time national teams. Here we had players for a tournament and they would go back to their club teams in Europe. Then we would get them again. It was a rotational lineup. We were evaluating players at the same time as developing our team. We were so close to playing in the gold medal game. To win the bronze and beat the Czech Republic after a difficult loss to Germany was really good.”

In addition to being inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, King was named to the Order of Canada in 1992, and inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1997, the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 2001, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2013. Also on the international level, King coached Canada to a gold medal at the 1982 World Junior Hockey Championship and coached Japan when they hosted the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano. Reflecting on his distinguished career, King discusses what he would like his legacy to be.

“I tried to do as many seminars as I could for youth coaches and tried to make sure that coaches understood that coaching was to be fun for everybody, including themselves. The goal for me was not to make NHL players. The goal for me and my legacy, was to see kids play the game longer because the coaches provided them with a good experience.”

In the future, King would like to stay active, spend time with his grandchildren and travel. He also would like to help people in the hockey community as much as possible.

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 15

INFERNO CAPTAIN

Strives to be Good Teammate

By Jeremy Freeborn

The Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League are entering their eighth season as the elite women’s hockey team in Calgary. This year’s roster includes many high profile players including Brianna Decker, Brianne Jenner, Rebecca Johnston, Blayre Turnbull, Halli Krzyzaniak, and Brigette Lacquette. Another Inferno player has had a huge impact in the organization over the last six seasons and is continuing the family tradition of hockey excellence.

Erica Kromm is a third generation high performance hockey player. Her grandfather Bobby, a native of Calgary, was a player and coach for the famous Trail Smoke Eaters, who won the gold medal at the 1961 World Hockey Championship in Switzerland.

It was Canada’s 19th gold medal in the history of the World Hockey Championship and turned out to be its last gold for 33 years. Bobby would go on to win an AVCO Cup in 1976 as the head coach for the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association and then spend three seasons as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 1977-1980.

Erica’s father Richard was originally drafted in the second round, 37th overall, by the Flames in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He played three seasons for the Calgary Flames from 1983-1986. In 189 regular season games, Kromm had 43 goals and 61 assists for 104 points and was an excellent +42. He was then traded to the New York Islanders with Steve Konroyd for John Tonelli on March 11, 1986. Kromm would go on to play seven seasons with the Islanders from 1985-1993.

16 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

It was during Richard’s time with the Islanders, that his daughter Erica was born in nearby Smithtown, New York. It would not take long for Erica to be on the ice as she first started playing hockey when she was four years old. However, there were not many options at the time for her to play hockey with other girls, so she was on a boys’ team growing up in the United States.

Erica spent a lot of time at the rink, and even though she was too young to remember her father playing in the NHL, she has vivid memories of him coaching. From 1993-2015, Richard spent 19 seasons coaching hockey in the International Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the United Hockey League, Western Hockey League, the Central Hockey League and the ECHL. While with the Muskegon Fury in 1999, Richard won the Colonial Cup (Central Hockey League champions), and in his time in the WHL, he coached the Calgary Hitmen from 2001-2004.

On Oct. 20, at the Markin MacPhail Centre, Hockey Magazine Calgary caught up with Erica Kromm following the Inferno’s 2-0 shutout win over the Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays. In discussing her introduction to hockey, Erica gives her father much of the credit.

“He is the impact of my career,” she said. “He is the reason why I played. Otherwise, I would not have been introduced to it. He has never forced it on me. I do it because I love it. I always knew I loved playing hockey and that is what I wanted to do.

Photos by Dave Holland

That helped me by playing at the level I am at.”

Erica also discusses her time with her grandfather, who passed away at the age of 82 of colorectal cancer in 2010.

“By the time I was born, my grandpa wasn’t coaching anymore,” she said. “He is the reason why my dad played and is the real reason why we all played. We talked about hockey as a family, but it was never forced upon us at all.”

Erica’s greatest hockey moment was winning the Clarkson Cup with the Inferno in 2016. In the championship game, Calgary beat the Montreal Canadiennes 8-3 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Erica was a +3 during the game.

“It was my first legitimate championship besides winning tournaments when I was younger,” she said. “It was a really cool feeling.”

Every season “brings different challenges, working through them and overcoming

things as a team...

There are always things you can take away from every season

“

One strength in Kromm’s game is her versatility. She can play forward and defense. For two years with the Inferno, she was on the team’s blueline before making the change back to forward for the 2017-18 season. Last year, Kromm was the Inferno captain. Her leadership skills are something that new Inferno head coach Shannon Miller is completely aware of.

“I heard she did a wonderful job as captain, and that she is a natural leader,” said Miller. “She still has a leadership role with this team. We see her as one of our leaders.”

Being named the Inferno captain while many of her teammates were participating at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang is something that Kromm was extremely proud of.

“It was an honour to be captain,” she said. “It was a really good experience and my teammates were just as good leaders. It was a lot of fun.”

Kromm is always trying to be better, and thinks she will have that opportunity because she is having the chance to play with some outstanding talent.

“Practices are great,” she said. “They are really competitive.

Playing with them makes me a better player.”

During her time with the Inferno, Kromm claims she has learned to push through adversity.

“Every season brings different challenges, working through them and overcoming things as a team,” she said. “There are always things you can take away from every season.”

Outside of hockey, Kromm enjoys playing guitar and currently works for the McQuiston Executive Wealth Group of Royal Bank of Canada Dominion Securities as an administrative assistant.

While playing hockey at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, from 2007-2011, Kromm earned a double major in history and commerce.

In four seasons with Brown University, she had 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 115 games. Now in six seasons with the Inferno, Kromm has 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points.

There is no doubt why Kromm is praised for her strong leadership. When asked what her goal was for this season, she said it was to be a good teammate, and be a person that her teammates could rely on. Those are the types of qualities that the Inferno are clearly impressed with.

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 17

PHILLIPS

Showing Promise within flames development

By Jeremy Freeborn

Calgary native Matthew Phillips is definitely a player on the rise. The skilled centre has starred in the opposition end of ice the last few seasons with the Calgary Bantam AAA Bisons, Calgary Midget AAA Buffaloes and the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League.

Now the major question for Phillips is can he make the next jump and have an impact with the Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League or maybe even the Flames this season? At only 5’7” and 155 pounds, he is one of the smaller Flames prospects within the organization.

At the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Calgary Flames took a chance on Phillips and selected him in the sixth round, 166th overall.

In the same draft, the Flames selected larger forwards such as Americans Matthew Tkachuk and Mitchell Mattson as well as Finland’s Eetu Tuulola. At 6’2”, 200 pounds, Tkachuk is already part of the Flames offensive mix and has an edge to his game. Tuulola is 6’3”, 225 pounds at the age of only 20. While Mattson is 6’4” and has shown development in the USHL as a steady and consistent defensive forward.

However in today’s NHL, there seems to be an increased emphasis among scouts on skill, and that is where Phillips and Flames prospect Dillon Dube (who was also selected by the Flames in the 2016 draft) fit in. Both put up strong offensive numbers in the Western Hockey League last season, and it will be interesting to see if they have the potential to join the 5’9”, 155 pound Johnny Gaudreau on the Flames roster over the next couple of seasons.

Photos by Jon Howe 18 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

The 166th pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft is the draft pick the Flames acquired from the Minnesota Wild in the deal that saw forward David Jones get traded from Calgary to Minnesota for goaltender Niklas Backstrom. Both Jones and Backstrom were playing in their final season of their NHL careers and neither had a significant impact on their new team after being traded.

Hockey Magazine Calgary caught up with Phillips at the Calgary Flames Development Camp. Like everywhere he has played in the last few years, Phillips was impressive offensively during the Flames final day scrimmage. Where he has been able to develop his skill the most is on the power play and in 3-on-3 situations.

Phillips was born in Calgary and moved to Newfoundland as a toddler. It is Newfoundland where Phillips first started playing hockey in timbits and novice, before returning to Calgary. He was part of the Blackfoot Hockey Association for second year novice, and then played in Bow Valley for atom and pee wee.

While playing novice, Phillips earned the nickname of Bubba.

“There were three Matthews on our team back in novice,” Phillips said. “Our coach just kind of threw names left, right and centre at us until something stuck. That happened to be it.”

Just how strong of an offensive player has Bubba been the last few seasons? In only 33 games with the Bisons in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League in 2012-13, Phillips had 40 goals and 37 assists for 77 points.

Two years later with the Buffaloes in midget, in 2014-15, Phillips put up just as impressive statistics as he recorded 30 goals and 43 assists for 73 points in only 34 games.

Also that season of 2014-15, Phillips had a sensational Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament. In six games, he had 20 points as he helped the Buffaloes reach the semifinals.

In five of his games, he was the most valuable player and even though the Buffaloes were not in the championship game, he was the tournament’s MVP. His 20 points is also a record for the most points at a single Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament.

“It was a fun tournament,” he said. “It was a tournament I watched a lot growing up. I kind of idolized those players even though they were just midget hockey players. It was a good run. Our team was clicking at the right time and it was a tournament I will remember for a long time.”

Phillips became only the second Calgarian in the history of the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament to be the leading scorer and tournament’s MVP in the same year. Mark Astley accomplished those feats with the Calgary Royals in 1986 before winning a silver medal with Team Canada at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer and playing 75 games with the Buffalo Sabres from 1993 to 1996.

In 2013, Phillips was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Victoria Royals in the Western Hockey League Draft. He would play four seasons with the Royals from 2015-2018.

In his rookie season with Victoria, he led all WHL rookies in goals (37) and points (76) and he was named the WHL rookie of the year.

The next two seasons, Phillips led the Royals in scoring. In 2016-17, he had 50 goals and 40 assists for 90 points and in 2017-18, he had 48 goals and 64 assists for 112 points while being team captain. He also set the Royals franchise records for most goals (50), assists (64) and points (112) in a season.

He thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Royals.

“It was extremely special,” he said. “I think they are the best organization in the Western Hockey League. They treat every single player extremely well and they treat us like pros. They develop their players extremely well and get us ready to play pro hockey. I am extremely thankful I ended up going there.”

Phillips also recalls some great moments while playing on Canada’s west coast during his development. “Playing my first game at age 16 on Sportsnet was a lot of fun,” he said.

“That year we won the regular season championship with a really good team (106 points), and from there I can honestly say I made lifelong friends on that team. I had two great head coaches (former Calgary Flame Dave Lowry and Dan Price) in my time there. It was extremely memorable.”

When asked to be captain, Phillips explained how he handled the leadership role.“I just like to go in and do my thing and not change too much,” he said. “I like to lead by example, and be a good friend to the younger guys and lighten the mood, but be serious when I need to be.”

Phillips also has enjoyed his time with the Flames to date.

“Getting drafted by any NHL team is extremely memorable and something not a lot of kids get the opportunity to experience, let alone for it to be my hometown. It has been two years, and time has kind of flown since then. It has been awesome training here with the staff and to get to know everyone. It has been great so far.”

During the 2018-19 hockey season, Phillips has been a regular for the Stockton Heat, the Flames’ top minor league affiliate in the American Hockey League. At press time, he has five goals and four assists for nine points in 22 games.

Another area where Phillips has been strong is his discipline.

He has zero penalty minutes to date.

Phillips is comfortable playing all three forward positions.

His versatility is an asset for him as he tries to work his way up through the Flames organization.

For those youth hockey players who idolize Phillips, he has the following message.

“Honestly, just work hard and have fun. I know that’s pretty simple advice. Listen to your coaches. They are there to make you better. Have fun. The game is supposed to be fun.

If you be a good teammate, you are going to make a lot of good friends going through the minor hockey ranks. When you are at the rink, have a smile on your face and work hard.” Phillips’s positive attitude is outstanding, and could just help him make the Calgary Flames in the near future.

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 19

SPOTLIGHT

ON AN OFFICIAL

CONOR

PHOTOS BY SC PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY

FILIPCHUCK

We met up with 16-year-old Conor Filipchuk, as he was getting ready to officiate a peewee game in late November. Conor began officiating minor hockey when he was 13-years-old, and is in his fourth season as a minor hockey official. Conor still plays hockey, at the midget level, and as a goalie.

In the off season, Conor plays baseball, and his other hobbies include wake boarding and dirt biking.

What made you want to become a hockey official?

I became a hockey official because I had other friends who were already officials. They told me they really liked the program so I decided to try it myself. I soon realized that this was something I really enjoyed and I had a strong passion for.

How many games did you officiate last season, and how many games do you plan on officiating this season?

Last year I officiated close to 75 games. I hope to do as many as my schedule will allow this season.

What level of hockey are you currently officiating?

I’ve done all age groups of hockey all the way up to midget 3 as a linesman. This year I’ve also started working as a linesman for the A program as well as calling some games in the three-man system.

Have you officiated Minor Hockey Week?

Yes, I have done games for Minor Hockey Week. I feel it is important that we as officials give back to the game of hockey. Minor Hockey Week wouldn’t exist without all the hardworking volunteers and I think it is important that referees are also a part of that.

20 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

Do you have some special memories from Minor Hockey Week?

I have many great memories of Minor Hockey Week as both a player and official. As a player, I have memories of winning Minor Hockey Week with my team. As an official, I have memories of doing a couple of Minor Hockey Week finals that have gone to overtime which is exciting for everyone involved.

Do you feel the excitement and pressure when games go to overtime?

Oh yeah, those ones get real exciting. Not only do you have to keep the atmosphere going. It’s tense for the players, but our job is to keep it safe, and make good calls.

You try your best to call the game equally throughout, but when it gets down to it, and it’s really close like that (overtime), some of the smaller stuff you can kinda let go.

Do you have any highlights related to any other big games or tournaments you wish to pass along?

My biggest highlight as a player came in my second year of bantam in the playoff final.

We won 1-0 in one-on-one overtime. I felt extremely proud of the team as that season we didn’t win many games and went into the playoffs as underdogs.

What do you enjoy most about officiating hockey games?

My favourite part of officiating is being able to create a fun safe playing environment on the ice, while also keeping the fast paced game of hockey running smoothly.

What kind of training were/are you provided?

The referee program in the city has a really good training system. Not only are there mandatory clinics each year that help officials develop their rule knowledge, but the supervision and shadow program allows for young new officials to get help from senior officials.

Do you have a role model or mentor who has helped you along the way?

I’ve had many officials who have help me over the years. Many experienced officials I have worked games with have given me lots of good advice about officiating. I have also been supervised many times over my four years as a referee. All of the experienced officials I’ve had the pleasure of working with have acted as mentors for me as they have all helped me develop my skills as an official.

How important was mentorship to get you through your first season as a 13-year-old hockey official?

I learned very quickly that some of the coaches can be a bit loud at times, but I was able to work with more experienced officials, and they were great at helping me stay focussed, and not get too frazzled.

How have you improved your skills as an official?

Over the years of officiating I’ve improved not only my positioning on the ice to insure I’m in the best position possible to see the play that is unfolding, but I’ve also improved my confidence. At the beginning it can be very intimidating to go out on the ice and work a game, but over time as you start to do more games you are able to gain the confidence necessary to do the job.

I would like to remind all the coaches and parents that Minor Hockey is about the kids going out and having fun.

If you let competition get in the way of the fun of the game then the game becomes meaningless.

What is the toughest part about being a referee?

The toughest part about being a referee, especially for a younger referee, is being yelled at by either a coach, player, or parent. Young officials find the yelling very intimidating and some even end up quitting the job all together.

You still play midget hockey, and as a goalie. How does being a goalie help you as an official?

Having that perspective helps with the officiating. Especially when I see things happen behind the play – I’m able to bring that into how I officiate a game, so taking a look back as the play moves up the ice the other way.

What’s your communication style like on the ice?

It’s important to do your job, and make sure you do it right, and it’s good to have positive conversation and dialogue with the players or coaches.

How do you handle criticism on the ice?

The way I handle criticism is to treat disrespect with respect. If a coach is unhappy with a call I’ve made I will respectfully explain what I saw and why I made that specific call.

Do you have any future aspirations in officiating?

As an official I hope to continue moving up the levels and eventually start working Junior hockey.

Do you have comments you wish to share with parents, coaches or anyone watching minor hockey?

I would like to remind all the coaches and parents that Minor Hockey is about the kids going out and having fun. If you let competition get in the way of the fun of the game then the game becomes meaningless.

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 21

CHECKING FROM BEHIND

If a player pushes, body-checks or cross checks an opponent from behind, a checking from behind penalty may be called. It is a game misconduct (ejection from the game), coupled with a two or five minute penalty, depending on the severity of the offense.

BOARDING

CHECKING TO THE HEAD

BODY CHECKING

CROSS CHECKING

If a player is checked into the boards in a violent manner, then the referee may call a boarding penalty. A two minute penalty will be given for boarding, and in situations where the offense is more serious (when a player is vulnerable, etc), a five minute major penalty and game ejection may be called.

Body-checking is not allowed until the bantam level. Delivering a body-check in the lower divisions will result in a two minute penalty being given. The referee’s signal is an arm across the chest with a flat hand.

BUTT ENDING

If a player jabs (or attempts to jab) another player with the shaft of his or her stick above the upper hand, a butt-ending penalty may be called.

The referee holds one forearm over the other, the upper hand flat and the lower hand makes a fist.

CHARGING

If a player takes more than two steps or strides, or jumps into an opponent when body-checking, a charging infraction may be called. The referee signals this call by rotating clenched fists around each other in front of the chest.

22 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

A minor or major penalty, depending on the degree of violence of impact and shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent in the head area. A match penalty could also be assessed under this rule. If a player is injured, a major and game misconduct penalty or match penalty must be assessed.

When a player uses the shaft of his stick, held between the hands, to check an opponent.

The referee signals with a pushing motion of the arms, fists clenched and shoulder-width apart. (This signal imitates the action of a cross check.)

ELBOWING

The referee may call an elbowing penalty when a player hits or checks an opponent using his elbow. The referee signals by grabbing either elbow with the opposite hand.

HIGH-STICKING

This occurs when an opponent is checked by another player’s stick held above the normal height of the shoulders.

A more severe penalty may be called for flagrant high-sticking fouls, including ejection from the game. The referee signals this call by clenching their fists and mimicking a player holding a stick above their shoulders.

HOLDING

This is called when a player grabs the opponents body or stick and holds them back from play. The referee motions this call by grabbing either wrist with the opposite hand.

HOOKING

This penalty is called when a player slows down an opponent by hooking his stick on any part of the opponent’s body or stick. The referee signals this call with a pulling motion with both arms as if holding a stick.

INTERFERENCE

This penalty is called when a player impedes the progress of an opponent who does not have the puck. The referee signals this call by crossing his or her arms across the chest.

KNEEING

If a player uses his knee (this includes sticking his knee out) to take down or check an opponent, the referee may call a kneeing penalty. If the infraction is of a more serious nature, the referee may consider a major and a game misconduct instead of a minor penalty. The referee signals this by bending down and grabbing his knee.

MISCONDUCT

This penalty may be called when a player demonstrates extreme and inappropriate behaviour toward another player or a game official. Depending on the severity of the offense, the player may be given a ten minute misconduct penalty. The penalized team, in this case, does not play shorthanded, unless there is contact involved.

ROUGHING

This penalty may be called when a player uses his arms or fists to hit another player. The referee’s signal for this is a clenched fist extended out to the front or side of the body.

SLASHING

This penalty is called when a player deliberately hits an opponent with his stick. The signal for this call is a flat hand chopping down on the opposite forearm.

SPEARING

Spearing occurs when a player thrusts or jabs the blade of his stick toward an opponent.

Players are usually ejected from the game for spearing. The signal for this call is similar to hooking, however instead of a pulling motion with both arms toward the body, it is an outward jabbing motion.

TRIPPING

This penalty may be called when a player uses his or her stick or any body part to trip the opponent with the puck.

However, if the player touches the puck prior to contact with the other player, there is usually no penalty called. The referee signals this call by bending down and striking their leg with their hand, below the knee.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT This penalty may be called when a player exhibits poor sportsmanlike or inappropriate behaviour on the ice.

A “T” is made with the hands to signal this call.

Calgary Hockey Magazine | 23

good HOCKEY good TIMES good PRICE KI DS AD U LTS

9

99*

$

S TA R T I N G AT

21 99 $ 14 $

99*

S U N D AY F U N D AY

24 | Calgary Hockey Magazine

*

IT'S ALL GOOD SCORE TICKETS *Plus applicable fees + taxes