from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

Hockey refs, sports writers, your boss—the moment they start to act like they never get one wrong is the moment you start to wonder about them. The thing about referees, however, is that you rarely meet one away from the rink.

Sure, they portray complete confidence under the spotlight of an NHL game. They have to. But away from the glare, they will admit to missing the odd call, and in fact receive weekly, morale-boosting video highlight packages from their boss, Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom, “that reinforce the positives. What we’re doing right.”

Call it “Chicken Soup for National Hockey League Referees.”

Walkom follows that up with a video quiz at game speed, where the entire roster can have a run at a few of the tricky calls experienced over the past week by individual crews. “Our big thing is, we always get labeled as inconsistent,” Walkom says. “Well, how do you get consistent? You work at it.”

And, in the Year 2013, you get more video help.

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