Browsing the internet news this morning, I happened across this little tidbit of information...
Rob Shick ... is retiring after he officiates the Kings' game against Minnesota Saturday afternoon at Staples Center. He's scheduled to have 22 friends and family members in the audience.
Shick made his NHL debut on April 6, 1986, and has officiated 1,319 regular-season games and 130 playoff games. He also worked the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals and two All-Star Games.
Shick is the last remaining person on the ice that I watched grow up in the WHL during the early 80's. I had the the pleasure of watching many great players go on to great NHL careers...and it so happened I also got to see a ref, sort of do the same thing.
My store of Rob Shick is simple. In 1981 or 1982, while enjoying a Winterhawk game, Shick was our referee, as he was on plenty of nights. My buddy and I always rode him hard from our seats behind the goal. Giving the long drawn out, 'Shick, Yoooooouuuuu Suuuuuuuck!' and other colorful items as well.
On this particular night, Shick was having a tough go of it. The game was rough, and he was having a hard time controlling the action and tempers. As Shick emerged from the tunnel and was about to step on to the ice, we again, gave a rousing, 'Shick, Yooooouuuu Suuuuuuuck!' to which, he stepped on the ice, skated by our seats, stuck up his middle finger and told us to 'fuck off.' We always had a tiny bit more respect for him after that day...but not much.
So, after Shick refs his last game...that's it. All the guys that I saw grow up in the league are now gone. There are a few guys out there that are now coaching...which officially puts me as old.
I pinched the photo from: Jamd.com All credits go to them
Haha, he always struck me as less offensive then some of the others. Great story though...and hey man I need your address, you won the "we'll do nothing" deadline contest. Congrats!
Posted by: mike | March 06, 2009 at 06:31 PM
Great story! And great attitude by Shick to flip you guys off! haha
Refs' longevity always amazes me though. The guy has been skating on NHL ice for about the same amount of time as Chris Chelios!
Nice work on the prediction by the way. I kept forgetting to harass Mike that you had won, but I see he remembered.
Posted by: Zandberg | March 06, 2009 at 10:15 PM