Lockout affects more than owners, players and fans...

[BCCHL inactive]

HockeyRefs.com Wire
September 14, 2004 - 11:30 PM EDT

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada – The NHL Officials Association recently released a statement saying their members would not officiate lower-level games in the event the upcoming NHL season is delayed due to a labor disruption.

“We recognize the importance of supporting our fellow officials and will not infringe on any part of their livelihood and continued development as officials in the event of our members being without work,†said NHL referee and NHLOA president Stephen Walkom.

The statement comes after much speculation that NHL officials would skate in lower-level professional and major junior leagues.

Officials will not be paid in the event of a disruption – but they will continue to receive medical benefits and will have the opportunity to receive “advances†on future paychecks.

http://www.hockeyrefs.com/intheheadlines/09142004.htm

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[SedinFan*]

How is Stephen Walkom the damn president? He's a HORRIBLE ref, one of the worst in the league.

 

[BCCHL inactive]

How is Stephen Walkom the damn president? He's a HORRIBLE ref, one of the worst in the league.

I should have known better than to start this thread.

 

[Fish on The Sand]

How is Stephen Walkom the damn president? He's a HORRIBLE ref, one of the worst in the league.

Every ref has been called the worst in the league on these boards.

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

Yeah, the true losers of the lockout are not the fans, but the people losing their jobs because a bunch of millionaires can't come to an agreement. Everyone from officials to hot dog vendors (the true unsung heroes).

 

[colonel_korn]

How is Stephen Walkom the damn president? He's a HORRIBLE ref, one of the worst in the league.

Right, cause we all know that Linden is NHLPA prez since he's one of the best players in the league.

Putz.

 

[Shane]

How is Stephen Walkom the damn president? He's a HORRIBLE ref, one of the worst in the league.

Man, lay off the refs. It's getting old.

 

[LazRNN]

This affects so many people when you look at trickle down affect. Think about the businesses around the arenas, especially the ones that don’t have NBA teams or other major professional sports teams. Most of you have seen how those areas are hopping before and after games, no matter what day of the week it is. Those places will be dead now. Think about waiters and bartenders who depend on tips. This is economic sabotage.

For those of you who want to take sides on this issue, particularly the ones who want to side with the owners and Gary Bettman… they were committed to this lockout. They would not consider the possibility of avoiding it. They felt the deal that would benefit them the most would happen if there was a lockout. Any deal that avoided a lockout would have required too much compromise. I’m not saying the players are innocent, they should have been open to a soft cap at least. But those who are calling the players greedy pricks and siding with the owners are way off base. They are all greedy pricks. It’s the pot calling the kettle black, as they say. Gary Bettman and the owners don’t give a crap about the fans and the cities that have NHL teams. And frankly, I don’t think they care about the game. They proved they will screw over anyone and everyone to get what they want.