This is my first year working in Alberta and I was informed early on to expect Hockey week. 600+ teams, thousands of games. It was described to me as "The largest hockey tournament in the world" and "It's a bigger deal than playoffs." Games are all run time with overtime, so not the longest thing.
The thing is, Officials are expected to "give back" to the community and donate their time. I am very much against providing free labour, I don't care how much I enjoy it, I need to get paid to do any job. I already give back to the community by refereeing in the first place, this is a job where thick skin is required, I have to tell myself I do this for the love of the game every time I skate.
I 100% would've avoided this tournament if it weren't for the email from my RIC saying that if I don't do x amount of games I would lose playoff games in the future. Essentially holding games, money and growth opportunity hostage to make me do free labour. All I got for payment was a free goodie bag at each game containing a bag of chips, McDonalds coupon and a gatorade. An extra bonus package for doing a finals game being a travel mug and a hockey week stamped puck. They charged people $3 each to watch these games, but couldn't afford to pay the refs I guess.
Maybe I'm just salty, but as an outsider joining in this year its absolutely absurd to me.
Am I the only one that thinks it’s insane this thing is happening? Thousands of people in and out of shitty arenas? And don’t kid yourselves - despite the piece of paper tacked up in rink hallways, the teams AREN’T wearing masks until “right before they get on the ice.” Pretty much perfect conditions for massive community spread.
