Some Ontario hockey leagues tackling referee abuse as season begins [Video]

As young hockey players across the province hit the ice for a new season, some leagues in Ontario are looking for ways to fight an age old sports problem: people yelling at referees.

The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), which both have tens of thousands of players, are providing arm bands for first-year or teenage referees that are meant to make parents or coaches consider who they’re criticizing. 

Dave Wedlake, chair of the officiating program for the OMHA, said refs face common insults like, “Are you blind?” Some are flat out told they don’t belong in the profession, should go work somewhere else and that teams would be better off without them. He said verbal abuse can cause some to …