Referees land pro contracts, continue pushing NHL dream

“Seeing that support from the people who helped get us to that moment, it was super special. I can’t put into words what it means to me. That will hold a special place in my heart, absolutely,” Jo Love told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The charismatic Jo Love had life-long aspirations of playing in the NHL, but realized the goal wasn’t realistic as his junior career advanced.

He got his first taste of officiating at the age of twelve in his hometown of Smithers, B.C.

“Growing up reffing was an opportunity to get more ice time and make a few bucks on the weekend. Smithers at that time only had one arena so ice time came at a premium,” the self described rink rat said.

Bobby Jo Love is a step away from the National Hockey league after securing a contract for the 2021-22 season with the main feedler system to the NHL, the American Hockey League. (Darren Francis)

While playing in the NHL was out of reach, Jo Love said his passion for the game didn’t fade, it in fact grew as his junior career ended.

He started out as a VIJHL lines person, maintaining watch of players he battled with in the corners just a year earlier.

Jo Love’s stock quickly rose after converting to an official where he worked VIJHL and British Columbia Hockey League games.

An appearance at an NHL combine for officials in 2018 in Buffalo, NY helped Jo Love land a prime assignment in 2019 in Swift Current. Jo Love sported orange arm bands for the nationally televised 2019 World U-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal game between the United States and Russia.

“My entire family and I think half of Smithers watched that game,” Jo Love chuckled.

He started officiating in the Western Hockey League during the 2019-20 season, calling about 35 games before COVID-19 wiped out the rest of the campaign.

This year Jo Love, who currently calls Kamloops home, has officiated seven games at the fast-paced AHL level.

“The learning curve is very steep, but I’m always hungry to absorb new information. I don’t consider it a chore, I love doing it and always love learning about the game.”

While he holds a forestry degree from the University of British Columbia, the former firefighter with the BC Wildfire Service said hockey officiating is his career priority.

Graedy Hamilton finds his place in the American Hockey League after a long career as an official at lower levels of hockey. (Submitted photo)

Graedy Hamilton
Recalling his pro debut in front of nearly 4,000 fans on Oct. 29 at Abbotsford Centre, Graedy Hamilton called it an exhilarating, memorable experience.

“We had worked together a lot in the Western Hockey League the year before in our bubble season in Kamloops and Kelowna. It was pretty special to be able to work with Bob in that first one, he’s one of my best friends.”

Hamilton said he and Jo Love have phone conversations almost daily, sharing on-ice experiences and advice.

Hamilton, a 21-year-old born and raised Duncan product, took a different path in the world of hockey officiating.

While he played minor hockey throughout his youth, Hamilton pivoted at 14-years-old to focus more on officiating. Most North American referees at the pro hockey level typically come from junior and pro playing backgrounds.

Hamilton advanced to refereeing at 17-years-old at the VIJHL level, before steadily rising to making his WHL debut at 19.

With about a dozen AHL games under his belt, Hamilton said he appreciates constant feedback he’s receiving in a league he called “very professional.”

He said it’s an honour stepping onto the ice of large arenas with rosters filled with top NHL draft picks.

“When you get into full buildings and lots of fans, you feed off that energy as well. To be able to share the ice with those guys is pretty damn special.”

Much like scrutiny players face, officials are constantly monitored for their development from evaluators, who provide case-by-case breakdowns.

“They evaluate you overall, your positioning, how you communicated, how you skated, right down to what calls you made that night. Even different situations that come up in a game, you don’t see the same things every night,” Hamilton said.

Closer to home, Vancouver island high performance referee coordinator Kirk Van Helvoirt is among numerous mentors who profoundly impacted Hamilton’s career.

“He took me under his wing when I was really young at 16 coming up into his program,” Hamilton said. “I’d learn from the guys on the ice and I’d learn from him. He’s definitely one that stands out as a huge thank you to him.”

Van Helvoirt told NanaimoNewsNOW not only are Hamilton and Jo Love capable officials, they both are highly respected and take time to mentor the next generation of officials.

“We have a handful of guys who have aspirations right now to make it to that next level with is the western league and that support and feedback is what drives those guys forward.” Van Helvoirt told NanaimoNewsNOW.

A mid-Island connection with referee Bobby Jo Love and Abbotsford Canucks forward & former Nanaimo Clipper Sheldon Rempel in AHL action. (Darren Francis)

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

Referees land pro contracts, continue pushing NHL dream

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