New CHA Rules

[RefWEB]

First, its good to see that someone is actually reading the stuff I'm writing

Second, I think its human nature to rally against things which remove our discretion. As a member of the officiating community, I'm very proud of the fact that I am an arbiter of the game - that I know the rulebook and can apply it to the sport, and I do not enjoy having the tools at my disposal taken away from me. Its like handing me a chainsaw and a hammer and telling me to sculpt Michelangelo's David.

Contrary to your assertion, I have never, and will never, condone an official setting their own rules. What I did say, however, was that some officials may be heasitant to toss a kid out of a game for an infraction that, last season, was not an ejectionable offence. Nobody likes throwing kids out of games, especially for "marginal" infractions. Previously, we could penalize them with majors - sending the message that its unacceptable, but not throwing kids out.

Yes, making things easier at lower levels of hockey is good. But take this scenario - kid takes a nice chop at a players legs, but gets them on the shinpad, no injury results, kid doesn't even flinch. Last season, I could give the 5. Now, they have to go. Sure, I can explain that to an irate coach who wants to know why his kid is gone and the other kid wasn't even injured, but can that younger official do that? Can he or she overcome the screaming as they try to give an explanation - many can't and many quit because of it, even thought they may have the makings of a good official. And my opinion is that making the rules more heavy handed and removing my discretion as an official is going to cause more problems than the rule changes are worth.

That being said, I would never insinuate that an official make up their own rules. But what is wrong with a healthy discussion about the new rules and their impact on the game?

Paul Hennessey
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