Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast

A pair of suspensions for hits to the head to Bruins' McAvoy and Sabres' Clifton , one non-call infuriates Nathan MacKinnon while another frustrates Maple Leafs fans, Ducks coach tossed after no-goal confirmed via review , Capitals’ Milano nearly scores after a high stick while Edmonton's Draisaitl tries to play with a broken one , and a knee-on-knee takes out Fox at Rangers vs. Canes. Todd and Jo...

This week, retired NHL linesman Brian Murphy joins the show to talk about his career, developing officials, and his upcoming induction into the US Hockey Hall of Fame.  Todd and Josh also cover a missed thrown stick at Kraken vs. Red Wings, Detroit’s Ben Chariot caught playing without a helmet, Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk picks up a late instigator penalty in a fight with the Sabres’ Alex Tuch,...

Officials getting in the way, Tony D going off for going off , coaches vs. refs, Zub gets handsy , a plethora of penalty shots in the NHL, Coach's Challenges , suspensions and fines for OHL post-game brawl, and a case of double-goaltender intereference? Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow  @scoutingtherefs  and  @toddlewissports  on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads.. Email us your questions - he...

The NHL's Department of Player Safety hands out the first suspension and fine of the season, with two games to Howden and $5K to Danault . Kneeing and high-sticking calls downgraded after review , Bedard goes bucketless , and retired OHL/AHL linesman Kevin Hastings joins the show! Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow  @scoutingtherefs  and  @toddlewissports  on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads.....

Stone gets walled, Cole gets clipped, and Crosby shares his thoughts on Player Safety. Todd and Josh also tackle an illegal headshot from Pospisil on Perfetti, a legal high stick, listener email on 'game management', and a 25-game suspension in the WHL. Visit  scoutingtherefs.com  and follow  @scoutingtherefs  and  @toddlewissports  on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - ...

The NHL's Department of Player Safety gets in some preseason action with a possible fine or suspension to LA's Arthur Kaliyev for kneeing . Todd and Josh also look at a knee from Chicago's Alex Vlasic, some unsportsmanlike language from Mikey Eyssimont, and referee Frederick L'Ecuyer lends the Blue Jackets a hand on goaltender interference. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow  @scoutingtherefs  a...

The NHL goes down under with two teams - and four officials - headed to Australia. Todd and Josh break down player suggestions for rule changes from ESPN and The Athletic, including extended power plays, removing the red line, allowing kicks and hand passes, overtime tweaks, goalie gear, high-stick goals, power-play killing on a shorthanded goal, and more. Also, the NHL addresses referees' post-ga...

With less than a month until the puck drops on the 2023-24 NHL season, Todd and Josh discuss the new refs joining the league and the new rules they'll be tasked to enforce. Also, three promotions, two departures, and the first suspension of the new season comes from the OHL. Hockey Canada Officiating Manager Dan Hanoomansingh also joins the show to talk about the Officiating Coaching Program, whic...

O'Rourke crosses the finish line on his Route 66 ride, the QMJHL kicks off the preseason under the ban on fighting, NHL Referee Ian Walsh retires, possible new hires to the NHL staff, checking up on coach's challenges, the impact of 'injuries' on the rule book... and should NHL refs do post-game interviews? Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter,...

Retired NHL linesman Brad Lazarowich joins Todd and Josh as we count down the days to the start of the NHL season! After 30 years in the NHL, 1,971 regular season games, 204 playoff games, and 3 trips to the Stanley Cup Final, Laz has taken over the reins as the Vice President of Hockey Operations for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), as well as the league's head of Player Safety. Brad ta...

It's Number 9 on Route 66 as NHL Referee Dan O'Rourke bikes for blindness, NHL Officiating Managers take a European Vacation for Summer Exposure Combine, officials forced to choose in BCHL vs. BC Hockey battle, Civian sticks up for the stripes, and reconsidering some rulebook rewrites - including a change to line changes.  Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewisspo...

School's out for summer? Not for retired NHL referee Jay Sharrers! The former NHL referee and linesman -- with over 1600 regular season games, 204 playoff matches, and seven trips to the Stanley Cup Final -- joins us to talk about life off the ice, working as an Officiating Manager in the National Hockey League, memorable coaching interactions, and the upcoming second annual Jay Sharrers Officiati...

It took overtime of Game 7 in the American Hockey League... but the North American professional hockey season has finally come to a close! The trophies have been handed out, and the Hall of Famers inducted - without a new inductee in stripes. Looking at this year's class, the officials left out, and who should be in there. Also another year without an award for the league's top official; who's you...

It's over...  well, almost. While the NHL has handed out the Stanley Cup, the AHL's Calder Cup Final is still going! Todd and Josh break down a pair of Cup Final controversies, including Pietrangelo leaving the penalty box, along with 'continuous play' vs. 'intent to blow' on the Golden Knights' Game 5 goal after the whistle.  AHL Bears' Nelson speaks with the supervisors, the QMJHL cracks down on...

Breaking down the opening games of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final from head to... knob. Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone's stick job, a high-stick challenge, Barbashev's reverse hit on Gudas, down goes Eichel, and lots of misconduct by Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.  More on these topics, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com...

Take a moment to catch your breath before the Stanley Cup Final, with referee Kelly Sutherland mic'd up, the referees and linesmen working the Cup Final, the first female on-ice official enters the IIHF Hall of Fame, ECHL refs have an easy night, and the CHL looks at three major rule changes for the 2023-24 season -- all around penalties and power plays! More on these topics, including video clips...

Stars' Benn suspended two games for cross-checking, Rank hits the links, five for stomping at the World Championship, double-dipping on Dallas, cup checking Tkachuk, a missed call on Ghost, and possible goaltender interference on the Panthers' series-winner vs. Carolina, and more! More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com a...

This Week, Todd and Josh discuss refereeing the sixth longest NHL game of all time, review the Panthers' OT winner overturned for goaltender interference, explain the no call after a high stick bloodies Ekholm, check out a penalty box altercation in the OHL with a happy ending, and attempt to explain hybrid icing.   More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs...

Retired NHL referee Don Koharski returns!  Koho, currently a rules analyst on TNT's NHL broadcasts, breaks down the Pietrangelo slash and the Nurse instigator. He also share some ideas on improving officiating, what the playoffs are like for refs, standby officials, potential rule changes, the evolution of hockey officiating, and how refs can get out of the way on the ice!   More on these plays, i...

Paul Maurice gets on a first-name basis with the refs, Sam Bennett vs. a pair of Leafs in Bunting and Knies; getting away with some unusual missed calls; a pair of big, questionable hits in Eberle on Cogliano and Trouba on Meier; The Athletic's Sean McIndoe dives deep into the rulebook, and NHL agent Allan Walsh on officiating.   More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at s...

Getting officials and Player Safety on the same page, STR on ESPN, the high-stick that wasn't at Oilers/Kings, Makar's interference suspension, Foligno takes a knee... and some phantom penalties, Tkachuk and Lafferty fined for cross-checks, Maroon's boarding non-call, and more. More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and...

Retired NHL referee Dave Jackson - currently a rules analyst with ESPN - joins Todd and Josh to talk about the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including how officials are selected and notified, playoff ref pairings, the role of series supervisors, and big plays of the week: Dumba's hit on Pavelski, Bunting on Cernak, goaltender interference, and more!  Follow Dave at @ESPNRefNHL. More on these...

$5,000 can buy you a lot of things... like  50 seconds worth of ice time for Connor McDavid.   For Winnipeg's Neal Pionk, it was the cost to deliver an illegal crosscheck.  Anaheim's Strome spent that much for a not-so-dangerous water bottle toss.  Also on this week's show, Todd and Josh break down a proposal from Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour's to overhaul officiating. More on th...

Join us for a bonus episode this week where we sit down with the North American Hockey League's Director of Officiating Keith Kaval and Manager of Officiating Kendall Hanley to discuss the NAHL's Next Shift Initiative.  The Next Shift initiative is a collaborative effort between the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the USA Hockey Officiating Program to recruit, develop, and advance brand ne...

Referee Marc Joannette hangs 'em up, OHL's Officiating Combine, McLeod boards Dumoulin with no call, Sanderson wrongfully convicted of the dreaded 'puck-over-glass', a possible missed Coach's Challenge on a potential missed stoppage -- or not at Jackets vs. Leafs; we'll break down the play. Trouba taken out, Rooney goes for a ride, Killorn and Fox fined, and checking in with The Athletic's latest...