from Chris Stevenson at the Ottawa Sun,

NHL goalies be warned: Kay Whitmore, the man responsible for the administration and enforcement of the downsizing of pads, is on the prowl, measuring device at the ready.

“Spot checks will be frequent and I’ll be arriving unannounced,” Whitmore, the NHL’s Senior Manager of Hockey Operations and Goaltender Equipment, told QMI Agency as he prepared to take to the road for the regular season.

There are going to be nights when Whitmore won’t arrive at a game until the third period. In the past, if NHL pad police like Whitmore showed up for a game, word would make its way to the dressing rooms and some massaging of potential illegal gear would take place to guarantee passing muster.

Now Whitmore will appear and goalies will be brought directly to a room immediately after leaving the ice following a game to have the height of their pads measured.

“I know there are going to be nights when a guy has just lost in overtime and he’s not going to be happy about it, but it’s got to be done. Most of the guys will understand,” said Whitmore. “They want a level playing field. The best guys don’t want (illegal) things going on.”

continued