BUILDING A TEAM

National Hockey League Officiating

Teamwork::Simply stated, it is less

me and more we

Building a Team

Why did we build a team? Because the game demanded it. In order to serve the

game at an optimum level we had to build a team Building a team requires a number of key

ingredients as well as a few good cooks. In other words you start with assembling the best team possible which includes all parts of the team, officials and management.

In 2005 NHL officiating began working to consciously build a team culture

We wanted to go from a ‘me’ to a ‘we’ culture

The following will take you through what we do to build our team and more importantly have success as a team…

What we do & have done to build our team:

Performance Standards Team Building Training Camp Hockey Tournament Team Branding Weekly Communication Team Projects Pre/Post Game Meetings Team Covenant A Changed Culture

Performance Standards

It is important to distinguish that NHL officials are in fact held to two standards. The NHL Standard of officiating as well as a performance standard

At training camp in 2005 NHL officials brainstormed and helped build the standard of performance

The Standard of officiating is a league standard, one that we continually and consistently work to

In order to perform to these standards it was important to build a team

Building a TeamPerformance Standards

SKATING ABILITY / POSITIONING

NHL Standard Consists of:Strong forwards and backwards skating combined with agility and speed necessary to keep up with the pace of the NHL game. Positioning, based on reading and reacting to the play, and hustle to maintain maximum vision and sight lines to make the proper call.

JUDGMENT / KNOWLEDGE

NHL Standard Consists of:Calling and maintaining the NHL standard of enforcement on existing rules while being consistent and decisive on calls. Exercising sound judgment and having full rule knowledge.

COMPORTMENT

NHL Standard Consists of:Professional interaction with all participants within the NHL arena environment while remaining composed. Presence in the game by reacting under pressure while demonstrating confidence and assuredness in work throughout the game.

Building a TeamPerformance Standards

Team Building

Developing a common purpose shapes direction and builds momentum and commitment

Without it, groups perform as individuals

With it, they become an effective unit of collective performance

The essence of a team is common commitment

Building a TeamTeam Building

The sincere promises we make to others and ourselves

Accountability arises from and reinforces the time, energy and action invested in figuring out what the team is trying to accomplish and how best to get it done

When people work towards a common objective, trust and commitment follow. Consequently, members hold themselves accountable, both as individuals and as a team for the team’s performance

Many crews, one standard

No group becomes a team until it can hold itself accountable as a team

Building a TeamTeam Building

Training Camp Hockey Tournament

Team Branding

For each hockey season we brand our team internally with a logo and a theme to ensure we are consistent in our goal

2006-07 - M:6:7 represented ‘Mission 2006-07’ 2007-08 – Represented that NOW was the time for change 2008-09 – Sine Labore Nihil is Latin for ‘Nothing Without

Work’ which represented that success does not come without hard word

It Starts Now!

Building a TeamTeam Branding

Building a TeamTeam Branding

For each hockey season we brand our team internally with a logo and a theme to ensure we are consistent in our goal

2009-10 - Hockey F1rst represented the continued commitment to put the game first

2010-11 – Strength: Inside & Out, represents our mental strength (inside) and our physical strength (outside)Hockey F1rst

Weekly Communication

addressed technical officiating matters as well as the team rules project

addressed our team philosophy, team project as well as providing team rosters and game intelligence

Monday Memo

Friday Memo

Building a TeamWeekly Communication

Communication structure used from 2006 – 2010:

Tuesday Memo

Thurs Clips

Building a TeamWeekly Communication

Current communication structure:

addresses weekly team message, technical officiating matters, team project, suggested resources

Video coaching clips will be used throughout the season as a teaching tool

Team Projects

A rules quiz will be issued throughout the season in our Tuesday communication

This is the science of the game and works to keep our guys fresh on the rulebookBecomes topic of conversation at lunch and in dressing roomIncreases consistency in rule application

Evolution of an NHL Official projectOfficiating elements (see next slide)

Building a TeamTeam Projects

Building a TeamTeam Projects

Team Covenant

Our Team Covenant Summarized:

• Our team covenant is an unwritten set of norms or guidelines on how we should act towards each other within each game

• NHL officials are tasked with upholding the integrity of the game

• Communication is key

• Internal audit

• Being committed to staying on course by seeing and reacting to fouls regardless of the time and score in the game

Building a TeamTeam Covenant

Pre/Post Game Meetings

Pre-game - Referee facilitating

Rules and standards review – official facilitating review the “rule of the day”

Support and Sight lines Focus on protecting the

goalies in the blue Consistent application of

the NHL standard of enforcement

Pre-game - Linesmen facilitating

Face-off tendencies – centermen

Benches – line changes Partners habits – leave line

early, cross ice communication, procedure for entering fights.

Building a TeamPre/Post Game Meetings

Team discussion topics Building logistics/arena setup – clocks,

team entrances, penalty boxes, benches that extend into the end zones, off-ice officials, video goal judge, etc.

Discuss procedure in relation to job descriptions

Review of the team lineups – style of play, tendencies

Off-ice officials

Building a TeamPre/Post Game Meetings

Changed Culture

We put the game first, the team second and ourselves third

Evolution of individual to collective mentality with common goals and common purpose to serve the game

Building a TeamChanged Culture

Less me, more we...…

Thank You!