Tribute to 2010 retirees

THE LAST DANCE

FOUR SENIOR OFFICIALS RETIRE

Whether you love them or love to hate them, some familiar faces in the officiating world will be noticeably absent from NHL ice next year. Referee Kerry Fraser, Referee Dan Marouelli, Linesman Mark Pare and Linesman Lyle Seitz will be hanging up their whistles for the last time at the end of the regular season. Combined, they’ve worked more than 100 years and nearly 6,500 games in careers that have ranged from almost 20 to more than 30 years.

Kerry Fraser's first NHL game: October 17 1980
Colorado Rockies vs Minnesota North Stars

Dan Marouelli's first NHL game: November 2 1984
Winnipeg Jets vs Detroit Red Wings

Lyle Seitz's first NHL game: October 7 1992
Los Angeles Kings vs Calgary Flames

Mark Pare's first NHL game: October 11 1979
Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres

“The thing I'll miss the most is the challenge of upholding the integrity of the game, night in and night out,” says Marouelli. “This includes all of the conversations and situations encountered over the years with my fellow officials, players, coaches, general managers and the many people I've been blessed to meet during the course of my career.”

Not experiencing the camaraderie among the officials and the day-of-game routine will leave a void for Seitz. “Officiating is a unique job in that it unites four people each game night into one cohesive team,” says Seitz. “This is the result of a brotherhood that grows from sharing a common experience, the type of which most people will never experience. From meeting for breakfast to working out together, to ‘shutting down’ for a couple of hours for a physical and mental rest, to the post-game rituals, in life I don't believe anything will replace the solidarity that comes from the game-day experience.”

Fraser has enjoyed the ice-level vantage point on the game since his first NHL game on October 17, 1980. “My ‘office’ has been a 200 x 85-foot piece of frozen water for more than 30 years,” he says. “Looking back on the many friends that I have made over the years on and off the ice, this is what I am going to miss the most.” Pare succinctly states, “I will miss the thrill and challenge of officiating the best hockey in the world, and doing that alongside the best officials in the sport.”

NHL Director of Officiating Terry Gregson commented on the impact the individuals have had on their colleagues throughout the years. "We thank Kerry, Dan, Mark and Lyle for their many years of professionalism and dedication,” he says. “Each one of these officials has had exceptional moments on the ice and has contributed to the success of our team in their own way. Their legacy will remain with our team as we continue to strive to serve the game. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and honor the contributions each has made to our League.”

“I’VE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE”

While having the required talent, drive and determination to be selected to become an Official in the National Hockey League is an impressive accomplishment in and of itself, these four professionals have cited some occasions that they consider outstanding on a personal level. “Getting selected for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time is very special,” says Pare. “That never gets old.”

Fraser mentioned The World Cup of Hockey '96 and the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan in '98, both accompanied by his wife, Kathy, and the opening the '08-'09 season in Prague as very special. “Kathy is my best friend and anything that I have accomplished in the hockey business would mean nothing to me if Kathy, my seven children and five grandchildren could not have shared it with me,” he says.

Since his first game regular-season NHL game on November 2, 1984, Marouelli has two memories that stand out. One was working five of the seven games in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final. The other was participating in the retirement game of Igor Larionov in Moscow in 2004. “Being invited to celebrate Igor's magnificent career was an honor and a privilege for Sharon and me,” he says. “To be included in all the festivities and events provided by Igor will be etched in my memory forever.”

Seitz has trouble narrowing it down to one. “The memories I will cherish forever are of the colleagues I've had the opportunity to work with throughout the years, in sharing experiences both on and off the ice. To pick just one dismisses the true value of the numerous opportunities my family and I have experienced throughout the years.”

“LEAN ON ME”

The daily challenges faced by these four, and all other officials, require strength of character, strength of body and strength of mind. While a great part of their success comes from the individual’s commitment to their career, each one says support from their families was key to their professional success. “This job is impossible without the love and support of family,” says Seitz, whose first game was on October 7, 1992. “The sacrifices, we officials make, pale in comparison to the sacrifices our families make. I’m very fortunate to have a wife that understands my needs and more importantly the needs of our family without me always there to support her.”

Fraser also shares this sentiment. “Without the loving support of my wife, Kathy, I would never have survived the ‘downs’ that this business can bring,” he says. “Most people wouldn't understand how difficult it is for the wife of an official given the extensive travel, missing special family events or just being home alone when the furnace breaks. I understand how special she is and I look forward to paying back in retirement.”

Appreciation of family is a common thread running through the striped jerseys. Marouelli adds, “Simply put, I couldn't have survived the business if it were not for the unconditional understanding and love I was afforded by Sharon, Dan, Jr., Dana Lynn and Joe.”

Pare credits his extended, as well as immediate, family. “The support of my parents, Vince and late mom, Genevieve, was tremendous,” he says. “That my wife, Debbie, sacrificed her career as a registered nurse to be a stay-at-home mom for our three children is immeasurable in its impact.”

“TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL”

With their century of experience, this elite group has some sound advice for up-and-coming officials. “Maintain a strong work ethic in all areas, which includes a superior level of physical and mental conditioning,” says Marouelli. “Whatever league you work in, act as if you’re in the NHL, taking yourself to the next level.”

Mark Pare says to stay humble. “Watch other successful officials and learn from them,” he says. “Strive to earn the players’, coaches’ and your peers’ respect each game you go.

Seitz says it boils down to respect, honesty and dignity. “If you live by those three words, you will always be rewarded,” he says. “It’s not about what you receive or think you should receive, it’s about what you deserve.”

Fraser adds to that, saying, “Listen more than you speak and if you think you know everything, even up to you last day, you’ve stopped growing.”

“THE BEST IS YET TO COME”

All NHL officials have heard more than once when talking about their occupation, “Wow, that’s interesting; and what do you do for a day job?” Now that they might actually have time for a day job, it definitely won’t be watching the grass grow.

Marouelli says he’d like to stay in the NHL as a mentor/coach of younger officials helping them establish a strong foundation prior to their graduation to the NHL level. That’s not all, however. “I will continue to volunteer my time as a proud member of the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary,” he says, “and the obvious, spend more time with Shar and the kids, ever mindful of the ‘honey do’ list.”

Fraser is currently writing a book, with the working title of, “The Final Call,” scheduled for publication in August or September. “We are also starting a family foundation that will raise funds to assist various groups in need,” he says. “In our first initiative, we are partnering with one of the cofounders of Ronald McDonald House to raise funds for childhood cancer research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.”

Seitz says he doesn’t view April 7 as the end, but rather as the beginning of a new chapter. As an entrepreneur, he has a number of ventures already up and running. First things first, though. “I’m going to spend the entire spring and summer concentrating on ‘Dad’ duties,” he says. “After that, the plan is to continue with the NHL in an off-ice capacity.” The list of Seitz’s business endeavors outside of hockey reads like an advertisement page ripped from the Sunday Calgary Herald. “I’ll be taking a more active role in our businesses at home, which include Professional Skate, SeitzcoMotorsports, Cowboy Armour, Country Living & Garden Center and Seitzco, Ltd.”

Pare, who first stepped on NHL ice on October 1, 1979, has left the retirement door wide open. “I’m planning on doing some leisure traveling, spending more time with my family, and looking into further career options.”

“STAND BY ME”

As they approach their final games, officials are given the opportunity to choose with whom they would like to work. Fraser will be joined by Kelly Sutherland, Don Henderson and Darren Gibbs in Philadelphia on April 11. Seitz’s last game is in Phoenix on April 7, along with Brad Watson, Tom Kowal and Mark Wheler. Marouelli will work in Montreal on April 10 with Wes McCauley, Dan Schachte and Jay Sharrers. Pare will be accompanied by Dennis LaRue, Dan O'Halloran and Brad Kovachik in Chicago on April 11.

The officials will have literally hundreds of friends and family members attending their last games. At each one, the three accompanying officials will wear the number of the retiree. For the familiar #2, #6, #61 and# 79, it’s a poignant visual display, saying without words, that they will be missed.

And to learn a little more about these four Officials click on the following links or go back to our homepage and click on each Official’s name:

Click here to learn more about Mark Pare

Click here to learn more about Kerry Fraser

Click here to learn more about Dan Marouelli

Click here to learn more about Lyle Seitz

Special collaboration by Amy Marchei