My son Drake Robinson was recently interviewed about his Referee career over the past 13 years.
Thanks to Justin Belanger of High Button Sports in Spryfield for the podcast about what it’s like to wear the stripes for Hockey Nova Scotia.
“How It All Started”
Ever since he was about 4 or 5 he would be in Section 26 Row M Seat 8 at the Halifax Mooseheads games calling penalties from the stands.As I announced the games, my wife and my Cousin Beth would take Drake. They always said he was excited to see the Referees.
Most kids his age there were interested in HAL the Mooseheads mascot, but he was there to watch the Officials.In Grade 3 a game of mini sticks got out of hand, the Principal at Beechville Lakeside Timberlea School, Mr. Leary, told the bunch of 8 year olds that there would be no more mini sticks at recess.Drake offered to referee the recess and lunch hour games, so mini sticks continued at B.L.T. with Referee Robinson officiating his classmates.Fast forward to when Drake was 14, he was hired by the TASA (Timberlea Amateur Sports Association) Minor Hockey Association, where he played defense for growing up.Drake quickly climbed the ladder and is now an Referee in the MHL (Maritime Hockey League) and AUS (Atlantic University Sport League) among others.Drake was called up to the QMJHL in 2019 to work a Halifax Mooseheads and Cape Breton Eagles preseason game. We got to be the first Father/Son Public Address Announcer/Referee combination to work a game together in Q League history.
(Drake and Ian at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth August 18, 2019)
Drake says: “If you have a young hockey official just starting out, tell them it’s a great career and to stick with it.”
Hockey in Nova Scotia rinks returns with fans in the stands next week!
-Ian, a proud Zebra Dad and Halifax Moosehads Public Address Announcer since 1997.
Credits: @thehighbutton
