Scouting The Refs Podcast

Flyers coach John Tortorella calls the NHL the “No Hit League” after Garnet Hathaway gets ejected for boarding on a late icing call. Player Safety goes after both combatants in a stick-battle, handing a two-game suspension for New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith and a $5000 fine to Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Konecny. Detroit Red Wings blueliner Jake Walman also picks up a high-sticking fine - for lower than the league maximum.A trio of suspensions in the FPHL for middle fingers, crotch gestures, cross-checks to the face, and late hits - with one player banned for 18 games. ‘Intent to Blow’ costs the New Jersey Devils a goal against the San Jose Sharks, Arizona’s Sean Durzi puts the “bench” in bench minor, and an ECHL player gets a misconduct penalty for shooting a chicken nugget into the stands. Yep. You read that right. Plus, congrats to two retired NHL linesmen: Brian Murphy, on his induction into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame; and John Grandt on his final college hockey game before coming off-ice as the USHL’s Director of Officiating. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

The Florida Panthers found their way into a bunch of sticky situations, including an overturned shootout goal vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs and a controversial offside - make that ONside - against the Ottawa Senators. Referee Garrett Rank penalizes everybody on the ice, while Kyle Rehman offers up a penalty to Pittsburgh Penguins' Kris Letang. Plus, Todd and Josh discuss a late hit from Philadelphia Flyers' Garnet Hathaway on New Jersey Devils' Luke Hughes, a violent stick slash from Brendan Smith on Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny, Minnesota Wild's Kirill Kaprizov getting away with a head shot against the Nashville Predators, and this week's Player Safety decisions: a two-game suspension to Minnesota Wild's Ryan Hartman and fines to New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba and Ottawa Senators winger Zack MacEwen. Also, referee Katie Guay joins the NHL as Officiating Manager and we see two high-sticking double-minor penalties overturned after video review... C'mon, guys. You're doing it to yourselves here. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

Linesman Tyson Baker makes an amazing save after a fight, Calgary Flames' MacKenzie Weegar take a penalty -- then throws his stick to prompt a penalty shot. Nashville's Filip Forsberg gets away with closing his hand on the puck prior to a Preds goal, Rangers' Quick gives up a goal while gloveless... at least until a review. New Jersey's Jack Hughes scores after the whistle on a 'continuous play', and Anaheim's Jakob Silfverberg doesn't score at all, somehow, despite a lengthy review. Puck tracking on goals, where are you?! Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

The instigator penalty makes a comeback, Bruins' Marchand mouths off, Habs' Gallagher lays into referee Pierre Lambert, Oilers' Draisaitl fined for taking out Horvat's knee, Wild's Duhaime tossed for Harley hit, Jackets' Kuraly has boarding major reduced after review, a Rangers' no-goal results in one of the longest reviews of the year, a quick whistle costs the Flames a goal vs. Leafs, CBJ's Fantilli penalized for 'sportsmanlike' conduct, and... finally... NHL NFTs! Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com #RefsPodcast Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

Flames' Magiapane suspended for cross-check, Bruins' McAvoy has suspension upheld after appeal to commissioner Gary Bettman, Isles' Barzal fined for high-sticking Canes' DeAngelo, Canucks' Demko run over on Draisaitl goal, Colorado's Ross Colton picks up 17 penalty minutes and a fine, no penalty after Ducks' Henrique runs into Pens' Jarry, and Edmonton Oilers' coach Jay Woodcroft gets ejected by referee Kevin Pollock. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

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 Josh also discuss recent officiating comments by agent Allan Walsh, review a pair of jerseys not tied down in fights - only one was a penalty, and check out an on-ice penalty assessed to the fans. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

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, and Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson gets suspended and loses his appeal, the Washington Capitals lose a goal to a Coach’s Challenge, Ref Appreciation Night for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, and more. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads.. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

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 - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.

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.. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!

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 - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!

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 and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads.. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!

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-game comments -- or the lack thereof. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!

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-game comments -- or the lack thereof. Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!

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, which looks to help develop those overseeing officials across Canada. Follow Dan on Twitter/X and Instagram (@DHanoomansingh) Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!

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, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!

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 talks about the benefits of his dual role, the upcoming BCHL season, his recent trip to the NHL Officiating Exposure Combine, and the challenges of running an independent league that operates outside of Hockey Canada. Take a listen before the BCHL Exhibition Games get under way September 3, with the season starting on September 22. For more on the BCHL, visit bchl.ca. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!

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 @toddlewissports on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!

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 Officiating School which takes place this August. The Jay Sharrers Officiating School is a 3-day ice hockey officiating camp featuring classroom curriculum, on-ice instructions, and live-game evaluations. The school is open to grassroots officials (ages 14+) in the host state, neighboring states, and from other parts of North America. All proceeds to benefit a scholarship fund for school participants as part of the Bill McKenna Scholarship Foundation, www.McKennaScholarship.com. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.mckennascholarship.com/jay-sharrers-officiating-school or check out @sharrers_school on Twitter. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!

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 your Chadwick 'Big Whistle' Award nominee? More on these topics, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!

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 fighting, Sweden adds hitting to women's hockey, and a possible rule change on icing that flips the trapezoid! More on these topics, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!