Dan Orchard Hays wrote:
 
>...One of the biggest criteria for becoming an NHL ref is physical size/
>stature. Mike Emmanatian, who is an excelllent skater and official,
>will never make it to the nhl because he is to short (about 5'6").
 
I have to disagree with that. I understand why NHL officiating
coordinators want size because linesmen are expected to break up fights
between 180-220 lb men who dont like each other. One thing I did notice
about Emmanatian in watching him in the ECAC and the AHL (and even in
a youth hockey game) is that he does a GREAT job breaking up scrums.
He does an excellent job getting in there quickly and making sure
pushing and shoving odesnt result in anything further. He may be
small in the height sense but he is very well built and very strong.
I think that shorter officials' only have a shot at the NHL if they
are strong and well built. Emmanatian is one of the two best linesmen
in the AHL (along with ECAC ref Harry Ammian). He shoul dbe in the NHL.
 
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BRI FARENELL        CLARKSON '95        [log in to unmask]
ECAC and AHL contact for rec.sport.hockey                Boston Bruins rule!
join the AHL mailing list: [log in to unmask]   GO USA HOCKEY!
ADIRONDACK RED WINGS, Calder Cup Champs: '81  '86  '89  '92
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