SPHL making history: female refs

[LadyStanley]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/female-referees-to-work-sphl-game/

The Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League, along with USA Hockey, have announced that female referees Erin Blair and Katie Guay are set to officiate the Cottonmouths’ game versus Fayetteville on Friday, November 21.

That would be one interesting way for females to get into the pro hockey action in North America, should it seep up the chain.

Click to read more...

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Very cool to see, but.... oy, I'd hate to imagine them trying to break up a fight between two goons with a combined weight of 500 lbs at center ice....

 

[spitshockey81]

Sounds like an interesting alternative career move for lady prison guards and ems workers.

 

[alko]

Very cool to see, but.... oy, I'd hate to imagine them trying to break up a fight between two goons with a combined weight of 500 lbs at center ice....

IMO it will me lot easier. When the big boys will see, that there are women, they will cool down.
But the is another issue. You know, its ice hockey and trash talk is a part of it. Also from the spectators. How will they react?

 

[ForsbergForever]

IMO it will me lot easier. When the big boys will see, that there are women, they will cool down.
But the is another issue. You know, its ice hockey and trash talk is a part of it. Also from the spectators. How will they react?

I doubt hearing the guys trash talk each other on the ice will offend the dainty, virginal ears of the women refs. And if any of the players decide to make sexist comments i would expect the league to take appropriate disciplinary measures.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

They won't be able to break up fights and probably won't be able to keep up with the pace of play.

A pure publicity stunt.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Eh... I wouldn't be that cynical. Plus, how much real positive press would you expect a league that has a couple female refs to really get? Or extra ticket sales?

Not really anticipating any.

 

[LadyStanley]

I doubt hearing the guys trash talk each other on the ice will offend the dainty, virginal ears of the women refs. And if any of the players decide to make sexist comments i would expect the league to take appropriate disciplinary measures.

Nope. I'd expect to see an "abuse of official" penalty immediately.

And perhaps league fines/suspensions, depending on the severity.

The leagues (and officials' unions, if at that level) take any abuse, physical or verbal, of (on or off ice) officials very seriously.

 

[CrazyEddie20]

They won't be able to break up fights and probably won't be able to keep up with the pace of play.

As to your first statement, you don't seem to understand the difference between referees and linesmen. As to part two, you should know that elite female players skate just as fast or faster than SPHL players.

 

[Francis10]

Not too sure about that.....the Canadian Womens National Team plays exhibition games vs Midget AAA and Junior B teams and the games are very close. Granted some are great skaters, but most aren't from what I have watched.

Great that the SPHL is trying female refs though. I like it.