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Kerry Fraser

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Kerry Fraser
Born (1952-05-30) May 30, 1952 (age 72)
Sarnia, Ontario
Nationality Canada
OccupationNHL official (1973 - 2010)
ChildrenRyan Fraser, Marcy Dumas
Kerry Fraser on Bookbits radio.

Kerry Fraser (born May 30, 1952 in Sarnia, Ontario) is a hockey analyst, spokesman for the CNIB, and former senior referee in the National Hockey League, having joined the National Hockey League Officials Association on September 1, 1973, and officiating his first game in the 1980–81 season.[1] Kerry continues his involvement in the NHL community by participating in a TSN.ca blog named "C'Mon Ref!" where he applies his NHL referee experience to controversial calls in current NHL games. Fraser's father, Hilton "Hilt" Fraser, had him skating at 15 months old,[2] chasing pucks at 11, and refereeing by age 15.[3] At just 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall, Fraser says that his height contributed to his longevity in the league by forcing him to "develop techniques to ... avoid being hit"[4]

He has called over 1,900 regular season games and over 260 Stanley Cup playoff games since joining the league in 1980.[1] 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, were required to wear a helmet.[5]

Fraser missed the beginning of the 2006–07 season while recovering from an incident in September 2006. He was helping his daughter move and was carrying a television down the steps when he lost his footing; his big toe was shattered.[6] Before returning to referee NHL games, Fraser officiated some AHL games alongside his son, Ryan Fraser.[7] 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.[8] Fraser's first game back with the NHL was Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins on November 30, 2006.

Fraser retired from officiating after the NHL 2009–10 season working his last game on April 11, 2010, in Philadelphia as the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the New York Rangers at the Wachovia Center, which is the closest NHL arena to his residence in New Jersey. Also during the season he worked a number of important games as the league's most senior referee including the Winter Classic.[9]

Despite his prolific officiating career, Fraser has expressed regret on his controversial non-call during Game 6 of the 1993 Campbell Conference Finals between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings.[9] With the score tied, 4-4, in overtime, the Kings' Wayne Gretzky clipped the Leafs' Doug Gilmour with a high stick, drawing blood. However, Gretzky was not penalized, and minutes later would end up scoring the winning goal to force a Game 7, which Los Angeles would then win to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Fraser said that his view of Gretzky's high-sticking was obstructed because "two big players were in my line of sight",[9] and after conferring with the linesmen, decided to not call a penalty. But when he reflects back on the non-call, Fraser admits, "I have a hard time forgiving myself looking at the replays ... There's human error with everything; unfortunately, that one had some consequences."[10] In a 2010 interview with the Toronto Sun, Gilmour said that he does not blame Fraser for the missed call, it was unlikely that the officials would have kicked a star player like Gretzky out of the game anyway, and instead wishes that his team would have played better in Game 7 on home ice at Maple Leaf Gardens.[11]

Awards

Fraser was voted the "most consistent" referee in a December 2005 poll[12] of NHL players by The Hockey News.[13]

In 2009, Fraser was named to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association's All-Time team as a referee. A banner was raised at the home arena of the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting in his hometown to mark the honour.

Broadcasting

Fraser serves as analyst on TSN's hockey highlight show, That's Hockey 2Nite. [14]

References

  1. ^ a b "Featured officials: Kerry Fraser". NHL Officials Association. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  2. ^ "Fraser sets Officiating Record". NHL Officials Association. 2003-03-27. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  3. ^ "Referees Have Fathers Too". Sports Illustrated. 1998-11-03. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  4. ^ "Kerry works milestone". NHL Officials Association. 2003-12-03. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  5. ^ HockeyRefs.com - Error 404
  6. ^ TSN - Canada's Sports Leader
  7. ^ HockeyRefs.com - Error 404
  8. ^ [1]
  9. ^ a b c Leahy, Sean (August 6, 2009). "Referee Kerry Fraser addresses non-call on Gretzky, hair secrets". Yahoo! Sports.
  10. ^ "Blown Leafs call dogs Kerry Fraser as NHL ref retires". Toronto Star. March 28, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  11. ^ Zeisberger, Mike (March 27, 2010). "Forgive Fraser: Gilmour has forgiven Fraser for the missed call, now Leafs fans must do it". Toronto Star. Canoe-Slam Sports. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  12. ^ ESPN - Player Poll: - NHL
  13. ^ HockeyRefs.com - Error 404
  14. ^ http://www.tsn.ca/shows/thatshockey2nite/ That's Hockey 2Nite homepage

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