Langdon leads my list of top referees

OK, I probably gave myself carpal-tunnel in the process, but I wanted to try and figure out all the referees who have worked games in the International Hockey League this season and just clicked through about 300 game boxes.

Then I ranked the referees.

I think this is everybody. And I preface these rankings by telling you, there's nothing scientific about it. Just gut reaction when I think about them calling, say, Game 7 of the Turner Cup Finals.

The top spot was easy. Everything beyond that was a bit murky.

1) Bob Langdon

2) Craig Welker

3) Brett Klosowski

4) Kevin Graber

5) John Searle

6) Ryan Carroll

7) Jarrod Ragusin

8) Scott Bokal

9) Dean Sanborn

10) Mike Mondalek

11) Ken Gallagher

12) Jim Hawthorne

13) Derek Berkebile

   

I haven’t seen the following referees enough to even guess: Gene Binda, Joe Sullivan, Mike McCreary, Tom Steinel.

   

I'll leave the linesmen rankings to my loyal readers.

 

• For those interested, the IHL record for points is 132 and wins is 62, both set by the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Comments

[Jerad Shaw]

Klosowki worked a great game on Saturday night. I agree with your list except I don't think you give Hawthorne enough credit for his work. It seems like all his games last the longest, leading to fatigue. He also has to deal with the teams that try to cheat when he officiates. He is so good, he never let's anyone getting away with it. He is top notch.

[Justin Cohn]

His games are so long because he calls way too much.

[Iceman2415]

I thought that I was the only one in Fort Wayne that doesn't have a life! Just kidding Justin. I also went through and marked down what officials did what games and I found it very interesting that Gallagher and Berkebile haven't worked a game since January and Mondalek hasn't worked one since February. Maybe the IHL is saving them for the playoffs or could this be the referee evaluations at work??? Also, I noticed some inconsistancies, some guys not working a game or doing just 1 a month and the next they work 7!

[tj]

My guess is that if Kalamazoo does not make the playoffs, we will see more of Mondalek. Mondalek=Slappy.

[FWKRTJ]

And to think, you were upset the league put Langdon on the ice (can't remember the circumstace) for a game earlier in the year.

Haha, just kidding Justin.

I'd say I agree with the list you've got there, especially Langdon. Nothing glaring that I'd disagree with. Kudos for looking through the hundreds of box scores! lol

[FWKRTJ]

Shaw,

Hawthorne was one of the best referee's the league had to offer before the new rules came into play (not kidding). He worked a couple finals and other playoff series. He'd be perfect in the ECHL.

[Jerad Shaw]

NO. FWKRTJ. He is the best. His legs get tired in the 3rd due to fatigue. I feel bad for the guy. Everyone treats him so poorly. Poor guy. :)

[FWKRTJ]

Well, he does have a ton of gray hair... LOL

[Brando]

Hawthorne was terrible last year (as always) in our playoff series. I remeber someone hitting him in the head with a water bottle after the last game against Rockford.

[Jerad Shaw]

Well I'm glad someone's aim was better at Hawthorne then it was at the goal in that series. We played dreadful. Played poorly the first game and eeeeeked one out, but had no legs the remainder of the series.

[Brando]

Your right

[Conley]

All the refs suck. Shaw and I already came up with the solution. Only problem is we can't skate. Haha

[Jerad Shaw]

Haha. I forgot about that!

[Conley]

Well someone had to drive is back. Lol

[joehockeyman]

Thanks for the posting about the Gulls in 92-93. I hope all of the fans remember/know what happened to them in the playoffs.

[mightbite]

k-zoo needs to beat flint on wed. then we need to beat flint 3 in a row.My favorite ref=George Harrison of alltime.Calgary vs. Pittsburgh in Stanley cup!!!!

[Jerad Shaw]

I didn't know a Beatle was a ref??

[Jerad Shaw]

I didn't know a Beatle was a ref??

[Jerad Shaw]

WOW. I hung out with Conley way to much this weekend. :)

[IcyKometsFan84]

Hey just a thought...

Do you guys think the Bertram Bobble Head will have a smile???

[Brendan Savage]

Can I pick "none of the above"?

[Justin Cohn]

I know it's tough for you Brendan without Quad City on there, but make a choice already.

[FiveMinuteMajor]

I can't really argue with that list. The top four are about what I'd pick, and 5-9 are pretty much interchangable as far as I've seen. I had also noticed we hadn't seen Gallagher, Mondalek, or Berkebile for a while but I didn't want to mention it for fear they'd show up again!

[jkmess11]

Here is what I found! Sad news in Indy!

http://www.prohockeynews.com/leagues/article.cfm?Article_ID=1578

Press Conference Notes:

In an unsolicited comment, Leighton went on to describe the work of current PrairieThunder General Manager Jerry McBurney in glowing terms….Paul Pickard, also in attendance, stated that, after Tony Lisman purchased the remaining interest in the team almost a year ago, the search for local ownership commenced almost immediately…Pickard also said that they commitment from each current member team for the 2008-2009 season…Although he could not make an official statement, Pickard said that there should be an official announcement about a team in the Chicago area on April 11 and, while refusing to pinpoint an exact location, said the matter was complicated because "it involves the purchase of an entire amusement park."…Pickard also said that interest in the Indianapolis area was real, saying that the league was asked to put a proposal together by the arena. That proposal, along with ownership group and a deposit, was submitted, but the governing bodies of the publicly held rink decided to continue with the current USHL tenant…Pickard stressed that he was not interested in expanding into cities that already had viable teams in other minor leagues or high-level Junior teams…Pickard did mention three specific cities of interest when asked about future expansion. Traverse City and East Lansing in Michigan and Evansville, Ind. …When asked about where the new IHL fits within the current minor league hockey landscape, Pickard said that the IHL is an "Independent" league…Pickard anticipated no significant rule changes for next season.

[jkmess11]

Indy signing another year to the USHL is frustrating. However, if we can get a few more teams next year I think the IHL will eventually get Indy. They only signed a one year extension to the USHL, so hopefully next year.

[Hit Somebody!!!]

Graber is rated way too high. He is about the same as Hawthorne in my book,,,awful. The 2 of them call everything, and take way too long to sort things out. They never get things sorted out the right way. Make a dang call and stick with it. It is like the jury has to decide the calls and 2 days later, we have penalties on the board and 12 guys in the box. Just awful.

Langdon is very good, he lets them play hockey. George Harrison was the same way.

[Junior]

Speaking of the poll on the left. The Komets are ranked 3rd right now. That either says that we all hate each other, or that fans from other teams visit the blog.

Look nice every one, we got people watching.

[chuckitt]

my favorite refs were sam sisco, kerry fraser and geoge harrison all from different decades.

[Andy]

One of the votes for Komets fans is from Rockford. Its nice that they still are watching our backs even though they have made it to the some what "big league"

[Conley]

Can anyone enlighten me on what a referee makes? Are they all paid per game? Salary? How much? Please and thank you.

[Conley]

Can anyone enlighten me on what a referee makes? Are they all paid per game? Salary? How much? Please and thank you.

[Conley]

Oops! I did it again. My bad.

[Junior]

I think the refs. make 300 bucks a game and get a free hotel stay.

[FWKRTJ]

If it's anything like most other sports they get paid by the game.