Small, But All the Talent in the World

The game is changing, but unfortunately some philosophies haven’t.

Size and stature still reign supreme in many aspects of the game. It’s not black and white, there’s certainly some grey area, but when it comes to wearing the stripes size really does matter, especially when it comes to being a linesman.

Obviously, given the demands of the job, stature and size acts as a definite barrier for some young officials intending to excel and ascend in the game.

When it comes to being a liney size does matter when the dream is to reach the next level and beyond.

It’s sad really when you think about all the doors that are slammed shut for smaller players and officials. Over the course of its history, the game has lost some of its best and potentially brightest talent due to a perceived notion that size matters.

If you can play, you can play rings true in so many cases and there are so many amazing examples of diminutive players that leave their indelible mark on the game, but when it comes to wearing the stripes that all changes, unless a move is made to don the bans.

The arm bans may very well be the key to unlock the door of opportunity for young officials that are deemed “too” small for the role as a linesman.

Hockey dreams aren’t always black and white, the next time you want to yell and scream at a ref or a linesman, remember they’re just kids, trying to develop, trying to accomplish their hockey dreams, trying to get to the next level no matter what size, just like your child.

“They might be small, but they have all the talent in the world.”

The next time you hear someone say that, think of the door slamming in their faces or suddenly opening up.

To be brutally honest, I’ve seen some amazing skaters over the years, one of the best skaters I’ve seen this year wore the stripes.

This particular official is definitely on the radar, they have a very. Right future in the game, there might be a move to the bans, but either way they are one of the smoothest skaters I’ve ever seen. Talent is talent, skill is skill. I really can’t wait to see where their journey takes them.

Trust me, they’re small, but man do they ever have all the talent in the world.

It really doesn’t matter what size you are if you continue to dream big.