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PODCAST

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast

Scouting the Refs

Scouting The Refs follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports; a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio, he’s also worked for TSN and Sportsnet as a host/anchor. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent resource

sports hockey

All Episodes

00:14:56

Golden Goal, New Cameras, and Too Many Men... Again

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/02/27

This week, Todd and Josh tackle:Olympic recap of the Gold Medal Game between USA and CanadaAnother Too Many Men... or was it?Bennett sticks 'em upWilson blows up LarkinNHL officials earn their stripes at Milan CortinoUpgraded cameras for the NHLMaple Leafs go 2-0 on Coach's ChallengesWhat else can we automate?---------------Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠scoutingtherefs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky,

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00:15:39

Too Many Czechs on the Ice

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/02/21

Plenty of Olympic hockey on tap this week: Too many Czechs on the ice - but what can we do about it?Why can’t you challenge a too many men penaltyAnd, yes, the officials can count to six, as Canada found out in their next gameKeep an eye - and a skate - on those faceoffsUSA’s Britta Curl’s major penalty vs. Canada reduced to two minutesPenalty shot at Switzerland vs. SwedenGoaltender interference for Canada’s Sam Bennett vs. FinlandA close call on a Coach’s Challenge on Canada’s game-winning goal to

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00:17:48

Tom Wilson: International Man of Misery

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/02/17

On this week's Olympic edition of the #RefsPodcast, we cover the rule differences between the NHL and Olympics, including goaltender interference, illegal checks to the head, penalty shots, situation room vs. on-ice official reviews, fighting, and more. Team Canada's Tom Wilson makes his presence felt in Milano Cortina after an injury to Kevin Fiala of Switzerland, then drops the gloves in a game against France -- who said there was no fighting at the Olympics?! Stateside, we've got a

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00:14:10

Talking Olympics with NHL Ref Ian Walsh

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/02/10

Retired NHL referee Ian Walsh shares his journey from officiating in the NHL to mentoring young officials in various leagues. He talks with Todd and Josh about the importance of feedback and coaching for up-and-coming referees, the role of replay technology in officiating, and his memorable experiences at the Sochi Olympics. Ian also compares the officiating styles and rules between the NHL and IIHF, emphasizing the need for officials to trust their instincts and adapt to the game on this special

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00:23:51

How Did That Get There?

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/02/07

On a jam-packed edition of the #RefsPodcast:Preds' McCarron fined for slashingOHL's Levac gets six games for slewfootIsles' Duclair's goaltender interference on Preds' SarosNo call on Caps' Wilson for steamrolling Canes' StankovenAnother goalie fight! Swayman vs. VasilevskiyOT penalty cancels out game-winner for Bruins' PastrnakSens' Giroux takes out Pens' Silovs, but the goal standsCanucks' Kane stirring things upFlames' Cooley gets saved by the

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00:18:29

Rust Ruling, Bench Shenanigans, and a Triple Play

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/01/30

On this week's #RefsPodcast:Penguins' Rust gets three gamesLeafs' Nylander's $5000 fingerCaps' Duhaime whips his stick out on the benchRangers whistled for three penalties on the same play Isles' DeAngelo takes two for abuse of officials... though they may have broken protocol on the callCapitals bank one of the photographers' hole and inAvs' Manson has a major penalty rescinded after review vs. the CanadiensGood guy Macklin Celebrini tries to help the refs out with a

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00:18:51

The Ol' Gordie Howe Goalie Hat Trick

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/01/26

On this week's #RefsPodcast:Checking in on injured liney Steve BartonPreds' Stamkos fined for bench shenanigansCaps' Klapka also gets involved from the bench, picking up a penalty but nothing from Player SafetyIntent to blow at Oilers vs. BluesGoalie fight!Phantom tripping penalty called on Canadiens' HutsonANOTHER Sabres goalie penalty!No call for Blue Jackets' Olivier's hit on Lightning's CernakPenalty call after Sens' Cozens boards Canes' Hall -- but the

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00:15:37

NAHL's Kendall Hanley on Officiating Camps

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/01/22

NAHL Officiating Manager Kendall Hanley joins the show to talk about the North American Hockey League (NAHL)'s upcoming Officiating Exposure Camps - applications are open now! She also looks back on her career including a recent IIHF tournament and working the women's tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and shares some opportunities for those considering picking up a whistle through the "Try Officiating" initiative.More info at Scouting The

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00:19:47

Missed One Here... and Maybe There

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/01/18

On this week's #RefsPodcast:Milestone for MacPherson: 1000 NHL GamesBlackhawks' Foligno busted for doggy-paddling off the drawOilers' McDavid with a controversial goaltender interference call.Panthers' Verhaege penalized for boarding Sens' Zub -- bt not harshly enoughEdmonton's Zach Hyman hip-checks the puck into the net... you can't do that.Rangers and Bruins go to intermission... and then come back after reviewBuffalo's Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen is the only goaltender to

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00:17:32

Buddy the Ref and NHL Lumberjacks

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2026/01/03

On this week's #RefsPodcast:We’ve seen Will Ferrell at hockey games as Buddy the Elf, but he recently sat ice-level at a Kings game in full ref gear. Those Christmas bills are coming due as the NHL dishes out fines to Tampa Bay Lightning’s Scott Sabourin, Florida Panthers’ Anton Lundell, and New York Islanders’ Mat Barzal - who channeled his inner lumberjack to take a hack at Mason Marchment.Florida Panther Brad Marchand avoided a suspension - which would have seen him miss the Winter Classic

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00:19:08

Christmas Bills and Holiday Nuts

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/12/29

On this week's #RefsPodcast:World Juniors officialsNHL liney Ryan Jackson injuredPaying Christmas Bills!Ducks' Vatrano fined for unsportsmanlike conduct on Stars' RobertsonBlackhawks' Grzelcyk fined for cross-checking Sens' StutzleDucks' Johnston fined for a stucker punch on Kraken's KartyeNo call on Panthers' Rodrigues for taking out Canes' Jarvis ith a dangerous trip that sent him crashing into the goal framePanthers' Marchand hits Canes' Bussi right in

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00:21:40

Hand Pass Disaster

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/12/12

Hands off! We've got a whole slew of hand pass reviews on this week's #RefsPodcast. The rulebook was changed in 2019 to allow challenges for hand passes leading to a goal, but this is the first time we've had four in just over a week. Also on the show:Anaheim Ducks' Jacob Trouba lays the hammer on Washington Capitals' Ryan Leonard. The Caps were mad, but was it legal?The Ducks' Leo Carlsson gets a shootout goal wiped out for the dreaded double-tap.Florida Panthers' Brad

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00:14:59

A Long Controversial December

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/12/06

It's a busy week on the #RefsPodcast:Jets goalie Thomas Milic picks up a penalty for covering up the puckKraken's Mason Marchment fires up the Edmonton Oilers after a hit on Darnell NursePenguins' Blake Lizotte with the crotch-hoist on the Flyers' Garnet Hathaway. Should the NHL come down harder on the ol' pickle-smasher?Blues' Toropchenko takes out the Utah Mammoth's Logan Cooley with a knee, earning a major penalty but avoiding a fine or suspensionSabres' Rasmus

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00:25:59

A Confluence of Circumstances

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/11/22

It’s a confluence of circumstances on a jam-packed #RefsPodcast:The OHL suspends Brampton's Luke Dragusica for the rest of the season for a Marty-McSorleyesque two-handed slash to the headCarolina Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov gets the elbow up on Vancouver Canucks’ Filip HronekWe’re not seeing any sort of distinct kicking motion on this disallowed goal from San Jose Sharks’ Will Smith… but there might be a good argument for disallowing it.George Parros of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety

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00:17:00

Elbows Up!

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/11/15

On the latest #RefsPodcast: Nashville Predators forward Michael Bunting tips a shot into the net vs. the New York Rangers that was just a bit high... but presented an opportunity for some technological enhancementsBoston Bruins blueliner Nikita Zadorov took out Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who left the game shortly after. Did it deserve a penalty? Or something more?A scary hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon took out Tyler Bertuzzi of the Detroit Red Wings. Dillon

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00:23:25

No Net? No Problem!

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/11/08

On the latest #RefsPodcast: Scoring a goal without actually putting the puck into the net. It's possible, and it happened twice this week - once at Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings and again at Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville PredatorsRed Wings defenseman Moritz Seider has a goal disallowed for a "distinct kicking motion" that wasn't very distinctWings netminder John Gibson bumps the net off prior to a Chris Kreider goalThe Washington Capitals challenge a New York Islanders offside

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00:24:37

Do You Suffer From Premature Substitution?

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/10/31

The Pittsburgh Penguins do, at least this week. Also on the latest #RefsPodcast: New official debuts as Shawn Oliver, Jeremy Faucher, and Dylan Blujus hit the ice for the first time in the NHLInjury updates with Scott Cherrey, Francois St. Laurent, Steve Kozari, Chris Rooney, Ryan Daisy, and Bryan Pancich still sidelinedCongratulations to referee Chris Lee on 1500 games!Major penalty to Blue Jackets’ Mathieu Olivier for a headshot on the Caps’ Declan Chisholm. Was it the right call?Tampa Bay

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00:29:48

Show Your Work! & Author Don Weekes

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/10/17

On this week's #RefsPodcast:Author Don Weekes joins Todd and Josh to discuss his new book Hockey Hall of Fame Timeline of the Game: 150 Years of Hockey StoriesReferee Michael Markovic has a 'Steve Harvey' moment after he announces the wrong call - and immediately corrects it - at Panthers vs. DevilsVancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers fined for slashing Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid right in the twig and berriesUtah Mammoth blueliner Ian Cole picks up a fine for a dangerous

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00:19:05

322 PIMs, One Challenge, Two Sticks

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/10/10

On this week's #RefsPodcast:Preseason wrap-up322 penalty minutes for Panthers vs. Lightning in the fiercely nasty battle of FloridaWhat happens when an ejected player comes back on the ice and nobody notices? What about when he scores a goal? This is not what Niko Mikkola or the NHL had in mind.AJ Greer and Nick Foligno throw down in the first fight of the NHL seasonThe Nashville Predators issue the first Coach's Challenge of the season... for goaltender interference, of courseCalgary Flames

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00:18:44

Preseason Penalty Pileups

Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast ·

2025/10/03

On this week's #RefsPodcast:Say my name, say my nameTaking a page out of the College Football replay bookOttawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens brawl in Quebec, piling up 150 PIMSenators' Nick Cousins (slashing) and Hayden Hodgson (boarding) both pick up finesSens' Donovan Sebrango gets ejected but avoids supplemental discipline from NHL Player SafetyThe Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning combine for 186 PIM, filling up the penalty boxesThe Panthers' AJ Greer delivers a gloved

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72 results

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