have been an official for 17 years. Over that time I have heard guys complain about losing the higher level games due to politics roughly 8.34 million times. They were all self-deluded. It is not fun, but I am determined to take responsibility for my fall from grace.

The big move

As I have outlined to officiating.com readers in the past, my move to Quebec has largely been successful: a new house, a new job and a great cosmopolitan city to call home. Before I arrived, we even had an NHL team, although now, no one has one. Overall, it has been a good move.

The officiating part has not treated me so kindly. I was a big fish in a little pond. I am now an old, slow minnow in a small sea of officials. The adjustment has not been smooth, to say the least.

Continued...