J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M
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Officials share
their experiences
and passion for
the sport before
each game.
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negative behavior is by having
each referee introduce them-
selves before the game starts.
They share their experience as
an official, their connection to
hockey, and their love of the
game. This helps make it clear
to everyone that any mistakes
are not because they are for
or against either team—it's just
the nature of being a human
and officiating.
Andresen says the officials are
excited to speak to the crowd.
"It's like they've been waiting
for this opportunity," he said.
"Having each official speak
takes 45 seconds, and it ele-
vates the referees to the plat-
form of humanity," Clark
added. "Everyone realizes that
they love the sport and are here
to do their job to the best of
their ability."
THE IMPACT
The response to this tourna-
ment has been overwhelmingly
positive. Clark overheard sev-
eral parents in the stands at this
year's tournament saying they
wish the officials would intro-
duce themselves at the begin-
ning of every game as a best
practice moving forward.
The hope is to build on this
event in the future to extend its
reach. Clark is hoping to expand
from an eight to 16-team tour-
nament and to potentially
co-locate the tournament in
northern Minnesota.
But most importantly, the
organization hopes this tourna-
ment creates a lasting memory
for players as they continue in
their hockey career.
Part of the event includes a
tour of the Wild's training facil-
ity for the players. On the wall
in the training facility is a mural
of their core values. In the very
center, at eye level, it reads: "Be
a good person."
"Just goes to show," Clark
said, "that being a good person
is valued, even at the highest
level of play."
