Jill DeschlerAs you may or may not know, the National Hockey League is back! The league has been completely reshuffled and many rule changes have been implemented. I experienced all these aspects first hand last Saturday and Sunday morning.
Two weeks ago, I received an e-mail from Jerry Burt, a professional on-ice official for the United Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League asking me if I wanted to “lines” the Saint Louis Blues Training Camp. Eagerly, I accepted.
St. Louis Blues Hockey might not mean much to many of the students here at Washington University, but for many St. Louis natives, such as myself, pro sports is how we have been identity within our country. You may know about the Cardinals because of their huge fan base, which spans the entire Midwest, and their historic past. The Blues are a different breed. The word ‘diehard’ is more fitting for these blue-collar fans who are more likely to spend their weekly paycheck on Blues tickets and Budweiser than their other main living needs.
That’s why when I showed up at the St. Louis Mills, I wasn’t very shocked to see a line of fans with jerseys and memorabilia lining the walls, waiting to get in to catch a glimpse of the 2005-2006 Blues. But I was rather surprised that this crowd turned into mass of people estimated by the organization at around 3,000 people over the first two days.
Many sports journalists and members of the community thought the lockout would ruin the dedicated fan base. However, in actuality, it only fueled the fire.
Before taking the ice, Blues Head Coach Mike Kitchen informed us of many new rule changes and several rules that will be called.
“The NHL is really enforcing interference and trying to open the game up. In addition, there is no two-line pass attainable passes or waved off and every tied game ends in a three-man shootout,” explained Kitchen.
The first day of training camp was an experience I will never forget. I was nervous from being in front of the crowd and getting my head taken off by one of the players. This was training camp, which also means it’s a tryout for every player. Basically, millions of dollars are on the line for almost every given player and any mistakes made by me, as referee, could translate into changes and outcomes in the game.
Getting out of the way and dropping the puck were my main priorities on day one. I really had no time to even look at the talent of the team or keep track of anything except not getting hit.
After getting my rookie day jitters out, the second day didn’t seem to be as fast, nor the players as big. Maybe, the players had a little more respect toward me. Blues tough-guy Reed Low even complemented me, and after talking with Blues Assistant Captain Barrett Jackman, I felt a little more at home.
During the camp, the coaching staff had several tough decisions to make. The roster had to be cut by 26 players.
“You guys did a nice job out there, now we have to find a way yo develop some players,” said Kitchen.
He was right about one thing: The Blues have to develop players and fast. With the longest playoff streak in the NHL on the line and your highest goal scorer and second highest-paid player in the league, Keith Tkachuk, being twenty-five pounds overweight, there are some issues afoot. Tkachuk failed his physical and is currently suspended by the team.
The Blues have to find scoring in players that haven’t really scored in the past. In the 2003-2004 season the Blues scored 191 goals and barely made the playoffs. With the current roster, they seem to be well short of that number after losing Pavol Demitra, Chris Pronger, Scott Melanby and others. The only two small additions came with Scott Young, who had eight goals in 2003-2004 and Dean McAmmond, who had 17.
The playoff streak, which started in 1980, is still the longest streak in the four major sports. If the Blues can’t find the firepower this season, then they could find themselves on the golf course come early May.
After my unbelievable experience reffing the Blues training camp and seeing it first hand, I hope that’s not the case. Only time will tell.