Rule Number One: Try Not to Fall Down
Every year, I set a goal to try something I have never done before, something that pushes me squarely out of my comfort zone. For my 40th trip around the sun this year, I decided to aim for something that combined a childhood passion with a significant risk of public humiliation: becoming an ice hockey referee.
I grew up a huge fan of the Dallas Stars. I can still vividly remember the thrill of watching them win the Stanley Cup when I was in middle school. The speed, the skill, the intensity, it was all magical. The one thing I never did, however, was learn how to actually ice skate.
So, this past January, I decided to change that. My teacher? YouTube. My starting skill level? A newborn deer trying to walk for the first time on a frozen pond. After months of practice, my current skill level is now that of a slightly older baby deer. Progress is progress.
This journey led me to the "Try Officiating" event pictured here, put on by the NAHL at the Farmers Branch Star Center. This was my chance to see if I could really do it. The highlight of the day was getting to meet and learn from NHL referee Gordie Dwyer. Having someone with that level of experience providing direct feedback was incredible, and all the other experienced officials there were just as amazing.
They set up a scrimmage and had us rotate in to get a real feel for the job. Let me tell you, stepping onto that ice, wearing the stripes, and blowing the whistle for the first time was an absolutely amazing experience! For a moment, I wasn't the 40-year-old guy who learned to skate from the internet; I was part of the game I grew up loving.
Now, I'd love to tell you that this story ends with me getting my official certification and working games every weekend. We're not quite there yet. I’ve completed all the steps with USA Hockey and am technically ready to begin my side-quest career. The only thing standing in my way is a Level 1 skate assessment with the local hockey official association.
Unfortunately, I have failed it on my first two attempts.
Those stories, full of their own special brand of humility, are for future blog posts. For now, I'm just enjoying the journey. It's a perfect example of what this site is all about: having a bias for action and a relentless pursuit of growth, even if it comes with a few bumps and bruises along the way.
What's a new skill you've always wanted to try?
