Kerry Fraser: Difference between revisions
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*[[February 22]], [[2007]]: Toronto Maple Leafs at [[New York Islanders]] -- With the Leafs up 2-1 over New York, Fraser controversially waves off a [[Mats Sundin]] goal in a game of tremendous magnitude as the Leafs and Islanders both battled for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference late in the NHL's 2006-07 regular-season. Offering no explanation for why he called Sundin's goal off, which would have put Toronto up 3-1, Fraser refuses to go to video replay or even go over to the Leafs bench to explain to Head Coach [[Paul Maurice]] the reason for the disallowed goal. Predictably, the Islanders would storm back to tie the game 2-2 and deafeat the Leafs in the shootout. |
*[[February 22]], [[2007]]: Toronto Maple Leafs at [[New York Islanders]] -- With the Leafs up 2-1 over New York, Fraser controversially waves off a [[Mats Sundin]] goal in a game of tremendous magnitude as the Leafs and Islanders both battled for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference late in the NHL's 2006-07 regular-season. Offering no explanation for why he called Sundin's goal off, which would have put Toronto up 3-1, Fraser refuses to go to video replay or even go over to the Leafs bench to explain to Head Coach [[Paul Maurice]] the reason for the disallowed goal. Predictably, the Islanders would storm back to tie the game 2-2 and deafeat the Leafs in the shootout. |
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Captain Mats Sundin uncharacteristically refused to talk to reporters, too upset at what he might say about the third-period goal called back by referee Kerry Fraser. |
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Fraser meekly explained later on that Toronto forward [[Alexei Ponikarovsky]] was interfering with Islanders goaltender [[Rick DiPietro]] in the crease, causing a livid Leafs forward [[Jeff O'Neill]] to passionately argue why no penalty was called if that was the case. Fraser has given no response to this, or touched on the fact that Ponikarovsky was viciously crosschecked into DiPietro on the first part of the play by Islanders defenceman [[Brendan Witt]]. |
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Sundin's non-goal would have given the Leafs a 3-1 lead but Fraser ruled "incidental interference" against Alexei Ponikarovsky on Isles goalie Rick DiPietro. |
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Ponikarovsky was struggling to pull his stick from between DiPietro's pad and thigh. It took Fraser a few seconds to make the call after the red light went on. |
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The replay showed DiPietro grabbing Ponikarovsky's stick a few seconds before the goal. |
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Coach Paul Maurice kept his emotions in check but was clearly upset at the turn of events. |
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"Didn't get an explanation, didn't expect one, there isn't one," said Maurice. "Pony was there. He got cross-checked by (Brendan) Witt. Their goalie grabbed his stick with his hand and held it. Not sure what else we want Alex to do. He was doing everything he could to get out." [http://http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/185004 Toronto Star Report] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 21:24, 23 February 2007
Kerry Fraser (born May 30, 1952, in Sarnia, Ontario) has been a National Hockey League referee since September 1, 1973[1]. At just Template:Feet inch tall,[2] Fraser says that his height contributed to his longevity in the league, by forcing him to "develop techniques to ... avoid being hit"[3]
He is the NHL's most senior official, having called more than 1,550 regular season games and 250 Stanley Cup playoff games since joining the league in 1979. Fraser also officiated the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, which was the first Olympic tournament to feature NHL participation.
He was also one of the last three NHL officials covered by the grandfather clause that allowed him to go without a helmet, thus allowing his signature bouffant hairstyle. However, with the ratification of the new NHL Officials Association collective bargaining agreement on March 21, 2006, all officials, including Fraser, are now required to wear a helmet. [4]
Fraser wears uniform number 2, a number he said he chose "Because my wife is number 1."[5]) Because he is so recognizable and unpopular with some fans, [6] Fraser is a popular target for fan chants and jeers in rinks across the NHL landscape. [7]
Fraser missed the beginning of the 2006-07 season while recovering from an incident in September of 2006 in which he was helping his daughter move where he was carrying a television down the steps and lost his footing; his big toe was shattered.[8] Before returning to refereeing NHL games, Fraser officiated some AHL games alongside his son, Ryan Fraser.[9] In November 2006, TSN's James Duthie, along with Kerry Fraser created a short mock interview/documentary claiming that Fraser missed the start of the season because he was afraid that wearing a helmet would mess up his hair[10]. Fraser's first game back with the NHL was Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins, on November 30 2006.
Family
Fraser's family is heavily tied into the refereeing community. His son, Ryan Fraser, referees AHL games. Former referee Harry Dumas is married to his daughter, Marcie. He has five other kids: Matthew, a firefighter in Canada; Jessica, an aspiring sportscaster; Ian, an iron worker and hockey player; Jaime, seen in the TSN video and future lawyer; and Kara, the youngest. Fraser also has two grandchildren by Marcie and Harry.
Awards
Fraser was voted the "most consistent" referee in a December 2005 poll[11] of NHL players. [12] However, it is unclear whether this should be interpreted as a compliment or not. As an anonymous Toronto Maple Leafs player said "He's consistent all right. He hoses us all the time." Fraser won the voting with 33% (10 players) voting for him.
Famous controversial calls
- 1993: Game 6, Campbell Conference Finals: decision not to call a penalty against Los Angeles Kings' Wayne Gretzky for high-sticking Toronto Maple Leafs forward Doug Gilmour in overtime. [13]
- 2002: Game 4, Eastern Conference Semifinals: assessing an additional 2 minute minor for abuse of official against Montreal Canadiens coach Michel Therrien. [14]
- 2004: Game 4, Stanley Cup Finals: decision to call penalties on Chris Clark and Mike Commodore leading to a 5-on-3 advantage for the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is speculated that the fan outrage at this game led to Fraser's being removed from the Game 6 officiating schedule. [15]
- February 22, 2007: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Islanders -- With the Leafs up 2-1 over New York, Fraser controversially waves off a Mats Sundin goal in a game of tremendous magnitude as the Leafs and Islanders both battled for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference late in the NHL's 2006-07 regular-season. Offering no explanation for why he called Sundin's goal off, which would have put Toronto up 3-1, Fraser refuses to go to video replay or even go over to the Leafs bench to explain to Head Coach Paul Maurice the reason for the disallowed goal. Predictably, the Islanders would storm back to tie the game 2-2 and deafeat the Leafs in the shootout.
Captain Mats Sundin uncharacteristically refused to talk to reporters, too upset at what he might say about the third-period goal called back by referee Kerry Fraser.
Sundin's non-goal would have given the Leafs a 3-1 lead but Fraser ruled "incidental interference" against Alexei Ponikarovsky on Isles goalie Rick DiPietro.
Ponikarovsky was struggling to pull his stick from between DiPietro's pad and thigh. It took Fraser a few seconds to make the call after the red light went on.
The replay showed DiPietro grabbing Ponikarovsky's stick a few seconds before the goal.
Coach Paul Maurice kept his emotions in check but was clearly upset at the turn of events.
"Didn't get an explanation, didn't expect one, there isn't one," said Maurice. "Pony was there. He got cross-checked by (Brendan) Witt. Their goalie grabbed his stick with his hand and held it. Not sure what else we want Alex to do. He was doing everything he could to get out." Toronto Star Report
References
- ^ http://www.nhlofficials.com/previous_fo.asp?member_id=2069
- ^ http://www.canoe.ca/Slam030402/col_kernaghan-sun.html
- ^ http://www.nhlofficials.com/display_news.asp?articleID=48
- ^ http://www.hockeyrefs.com/intheheadlines/04052006,2.htm
- ^ Off The Record. TSN. 3 November, 2006.
- ^ http://www.petitiononline.com/nofraser/petition.html
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23656-2004Jun7.html
- ^ http://www.tsn.ca
- ^ http://www.hockeyrefs.com/intheheadlines/2006/11/20.php
- ^ http://www.tsn.ca/tsn_talent/columnists/james_duthie/?ID=186431
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?page=playerpoll051221
- ^ http://www.hockeyrefs.com/intheheadlines/12252005.htm
- ^ 1992-93 NHL season#Toronto vs. Los Angeles
- ^ The Miracle at Molson#The Third Period and Overtime
- ^ http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=86205&hubname=