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Weaver in his perch atop the Igloo
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Hockey presents a lot of opportunities for many different kinds of talents. For Jim Weaver of Peters Township, hockey has given him the chance to be involved in the outcome of just about every NHL game played in Pittsburgh. When a goal is in dispute, Weaver often becomes the higher authority, the Man Upstairs whom refs turn to for answers. Weaver is one of the video goal judges at Mellon Arena.
A familiar face around Western Pennsylvania hockey rinks for the past 30 years, Weaver has been a referee and linesman for youth and amateur hockey. He has also served as president and officer of the Western Pennsylvania Hockey Officials Association. A surprise phone call 12 years ago took Weaver to the big time.
“Wally Harris [former NHL director of officials] called me up one day and said there was an opening for video goal judge in Pittsburgh, and would I be interested in taking it,” Weaver recalls. “I knew a few guys who were video goal judges in other cities, and I was familiar with the position. I didn’t have to think about it too long, so I said ‘yes.’ You never know if that opportunity might ever come again.”
Weaver succeeded Jack Riley, the former Penguins general manager. The year was 1994. After some quick training – studying NHL rulebooks and procedure manuals – Weaver was on his own. He worked the final five home games of the 1994 season.
Naturally, the video goal judge has one of the best views in the arena. His booth is located in the press box at the fifth and uppermost level. He is aided by a video tech assistant, and four television monitors (sometimes more, depending upon the number of broadcast cameras that are used), which give him overhead views above each goal and two separate television feeds that show the game from different angles. Each camera records the action on the ice, and provides the option to play back the tape instantaneously, at game-speed, slow motion or stop-action. “We have the ability to go frame-by-frame, reverse the action and slow it down so we can determine what actually happens, and make sure we have a legitimate goal,” Weaver explains.
Though the video review judge only occasionally becomes a conscious part of the game – during close calls that clearly demand a second look – he is actually involved in every point scored. “We review every goal,” he explains, “whether it’s a slapshot from the point or whatever, we take a look at it on tape just to make sure it went into the net, wasn’t tipped by a high stick, or any other thing. We see it live once, but we have to take a second look just to be sure it’s legitimate. The puck doesn’t drop to resume play until we’re satisfied that it was a goal.”
Like any other game official, Weaver’s evenings at Mellon Arena begin early. For a 7:30 p.m. game, he arrives somewhere between 5.00 and 5:30 p.m., checks his equipment, has dinner, and meets with that night’s referees.
“Mainly, it’s just to establish a rapport with the officials on the ice,” he says. “When you’re talking to them by telephone in a game situation, you’re under a lot of pressure, and you have to make a decision. It’s good to have a relationship established beforehand.”
As in all other NHL cities, Weaver shares the video goal judge duties with another person, to allow him time off. With more than 40 home games in the regular and pre-season, not to mention playoffs, the schedule and stress can become tiring. Even the most avid of hockey fans need a break from time to time.
When a goal comes under review, the television broadcast cameras often show replays side-by-side with a visual of the video goal judge on the telephone to the on-ice referee. “It’s a different kind of pressure, because I’ve been an official on the ice myself, and I know what it’s like down there to get a look at a play and have to make a decision. Here, there’s a little bit of anxiety, and you look at things a number of times, and you just want to be sure you’re right.”
Things changed for video goal judges in February 2004, when the NHL became involved in the review of all goals, meaning that Weaver calls the “war room” in Toronto to confer on video reviews. After each game when a review takes place, Weaver or his colleagues are required to complete a form describing the review, the number of camera angles used, and the NHL rule that applied, and fax it to the league offices before leaving the game. Occasionally, Weaver will be visited during the game by the league supervisor of officials, who travels between cities.
The task of making the final call can sometimes put Weaver and his colleagues at odds with players or fans. “Some of the players may make a remark if they happen to see me, but most of the time it’s good-natured,” he says. In one game, he ruled that former Penguin Martin Straka kicked the puck into the net, negating what appeared to be a goal. “I looked at it and I looked at it, and I felt sure he kicked it in,” Weaver says. The fans felt otherwise, and let Weaver know with chants and boos. “In an interview later, Straka admitted that he had kicked the puck. A few people apologized to me afterwards.
“The job is to make the call as best as you can. You review it, and sometimes review it again. You always want to make the right call,” Weaver says. “I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t take the pressure.”
