Referee Peter: I don’t speak English well, but I understand swearing
Hockey referee Peter has been with us at ice hockey tournaments almost continuously for more than 10 years. How does he like our tournament and what does he think of the teams?
How did you get to be a referee at Prague’s Barrel and when was it?
It has been about 13-14 years, I think Martin approached me. I do not even remember, it was a long time ago. Back then there was only one tournament per year.
How long have you been an ice hockey referee, how did you get into hockey?
Originally I did figure skating and when I was a kid, my dad’s colleague Evžen Musil, who coached hockey in Pardubice, saw me there and told me I was a good skater. He said I should give ice hockey a try. So I started playing hockey. I used to play for Tesla Pardubice and Pozemní stavby Pardubice, then I had a break when I was in the army and then I played recreational league and regional championship. I even played in the regional championship until I was 50. I’m still playing now, but I have a bad shoulder. And I have been a referee for about 20-30 years now, I used to be a youth coach as well, but that was a terrible time suck. Being a referee is fun for me, it is a hobby.
How is our tournament different from the usual matches?
It is non-contact, more relaxed, less nerves. If there was a chance to go abroad like this, I would go too. It is the only tournament I am still doing as a referee. Nobody organizes anything like it here in the Czech Republic, it is a matter of the heart for me.
How have tournaments changed over the years?
Not really. But now that it is without Russian teams, it has gone downhill in terms of performance. (laughs) I mean, they always just wanted to win, but from my point of view it was fine, I always lined them up.
What was the highest penalty you gave in our tournament?
To the end of the game. Usually the higher penalties are more for stupid talks than for any attacks. I do not understand English that well, but swearing, I know all of them. (laughs) I do not ever remember any bad fights. We generally give minimal punishment, we try to make people enjoy it.
Do you remember any funny stories from the games?
More like between games. The French guy was running naked on the ice, he was wearing only socks. (laughs) But there are a lot of funny moments, once they played here in different costumes, like a bunny or a Christmas tree. And I will not forget the proposal on the ice, that is a highlight.