Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hello Kerry, Hope all is well and youre enjoying your retirement. My question to you is what do referees do in between games to stay physically fit? Do you guys travel with personal trainers? Wondering more about a referees experience between the games travelling and things you did to blow off some steam and de-stress. Take care, Shane Armstrong Shane, Without prejudice and to a man, I have to say that NHL referees and linesmen are the most physically fit group of professional officials you will find in any sport. To be perfectly candid, it wasnt always that way. The good news of today however is that the "donut" box has long since been pushed aside and replaced with a much healthier lifestyle along with a personal commitment to fitness; one that is not only mandatory but fully supported by the NHL Officiating Department. At the very least the speed, size and athleticism of the modern-day NHL player demand this commitment from each member of the officiating team. An excellent income and good standard of living they are able to provide for themselves and their family is also a motivating factor. While the guys dont travel with a personal trainer, the NHL employs David T. Smith in this capacity. Dave (brother of former Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Barry Smith) served as the certified physical therapist and strength/conditioning coach for the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers until he was hired by the NHL to work directly with their officials. Smitty designs a program and schedule for each official to follow throughout the summer months in preparation of a strenuous fitness test they are required to pass on the first day of training camp. A separate program is also provided for maintenance throughout the season and playoffs. Dave not only monitors their fitness throughout the entire year but is also responsible for injury rehabilitation and obtaining medical clearance for an official to return to active duty. Unlike a hockey team that lives and travels together throughout a season, the fact that a total of 77 members of the NHL officiating team are scattered across North America presents somewhat of a challenge for Smitty. Working from his home base in Buffalo, Dave attends games in that city and Toronto to personally touch base with crews assigned there. The demands of commercial air travel throughout the season must be properly managed by each official. Typically, an official flies over 150,000 miles per season and can be away from home for more than 20 nights a month. There are no charter flights with meals prepared for an official or any home games, either. Getting the proper rest, diet, fitness and injury management is required of each individual official. Self-discipline is required to meet these challenges. A typical game-day routine would find the officiating crew assemble for a light breakfast and conversation in the Marriott Hotel concierge lounge between 8am and 9am. They then regroup in the hotel health club for a mid-morning workout consisting of light cardio, stretching and some weight training. On non-game-days, each official will balance his workout intensity with a travel schedule that often includes moving on to a different city for back-to-back games. (Officials are required to book travel that finds them arrive in a city no later than Noon on the day of a game.) Post-game unwinding takes place after the crew returns to their hotel, unpacks their sweaty equipment to air dry (in their hotel room) and perhaps make a call home to touch base with the days events. A light meal and a few adult beverages of choice are usually consumed in the hotel bar. If guys have a day off the next day, they might decide to "blow off steam" outside of the hotel. Moderation is always the first and best intention. Each official will manage his down time depending upon personal interests and how his body feels. Thirty of the best cities in North America are frequented. Some warm-weather destinations are visited in the dead of winter where guys can play golf or catch some sun around the pool to recharge their batteries. Each NHL city or the surrounding area has a unique charm and history if an official takes the time to look around and smell the roses. I found sightseeing an enjoyable way to spend free time; whether in Old Montreal; skating on the Canal in Ottawa; a drive, bike ride or hike in the mountains around Calgary or Denver or Sonoma near Phoenix; the sheer beauty of Vancouver no matter where you look; walking the docks of Marina del Rey or Venice Beach near LA ; day trips to Napa wine country or Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco when working a Sharks game; fishing, sailing or golfing on both ocean coasts. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture, Shane, its crucial to maintaining a high level of fitness and proper time management! Oh I almost forgot, NHL officials are paid quite handsomely for the abuse they sometimes take. God, I miss all of it. Have a great weekend everyone and be sure to manage your time wisely. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . The freestyle skier from Calgary finished sixth in the qualification round with a total of 82.00 points. 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But he also walks around with a tangle of metal screws, rods and plates after breaking his neck in 2006 playing high school football in Louisiana.PARIS - Fourth-tier Grenoble came from behind three times before producing the first giant killing of the French Cup with a 5-4 win on penalties over league leader Marseille on Sunday.Other top-flight favourites avoided falling at the first hurdle as Lyon, Monaco and Bordeaux all progressed to the round of 32.France forward Andre-Pierre Gignac scored a first-half brace but the 10-time winners failed to hold on to their lead on a very poor surface at the Stade des Alpes, with the teams locked 3-3 after extra timeMourad Nasrallah and Fares Hachi cancelled out Gignac goals before Ghana winger Andre Ayew looked to have scored the winner in extra time with a tap-in from close range. But Grenoble captain Selim Bengriba then headed home a last-second equalizer to take Marcelo Bielsas side to a penalty shootout.I dont have the technical qualities of the best players but I have strong mental abilities, Bengriba said. Im not used to score goals and I scratched my knees afterward (while celebrating)Former Grenoble player Florian Thauvin missed from the spot during the shootout and Nasrallah sent Brice Samba the wrong way to knock out Marseille.There is no point analyzing this match, Bielsa said. This is an unacceptable result and Im mainly responsible for it.After a strong first half to the season that saw it climb to second in the league standings, Lyon picked up where it left off before the Christmas break and quickly built a 3-0 lead before resisting a late charge from Lens to win 3-2.Monaco wass in control from the start against second-division side Nimes and won 2-0 with goals from Bernardo Silva and Valere Germain, while Bordeaux defeated Toulouse 2-1.dddddddddddd.Guingamp began its title defence with a 3-0 victory at fifth-tier side Dinan Lehon and Franck Tabanou scored the winner seven minutes into extra time with a half-volley into the top corner as Saint-Etienne scrapped to a 1-0 win over Nancy.Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, the leading goal scorer in the league with 17 goals, netted a penalty after Nabil Fekir opened the scoring and Mouhamadou Dabo then extended the visitors lead to 3-0 after only 30 minutes. Alharbi El Jadeyaoui pulled one back 14 minutes from time and Adamo Coulibaly ensured a nervy finish after heading home in the 90th minute.We should not be allowed to frighten ourselves like that, said Lacazette. Its always a pleasure to be decisive, its good for the group.Monaco was offered a strong resistance from Nimes, with the second tier side looking for redemption after making the headlines in a suspected match fixing case that is still ongoing. Leonardo Jardims side went ahead in the 33rd minute and waited until added time to seal its spot in the next round.We continue our good string of results with a seventh consecutive win, Jardim said. It was our first match after the break, the pitch was not good and the players were not at 100 per cent, but we showed the good attitude and solidarity.Paris Saint-Germain visits Montpellier on Monday. ' ' '