Jeff Parney recognized for his 30 years as a hockey official
After 30 years as an official with the Ontario Hockey Association, Jeff Parney worked his last junior hockey game.
Parney was recognized pre-game at the Feb. 16 Chatham Maroons game at Chatham Memorial Arena. His wife and two daughters surprised him by arriving at the ceremony. Many of Parney’s peers and colleagues were in the stands wearing their referee and linesman jerseys.
It was fitting that Parney’s last junior game was in Chatham, as he lives in Ridgetown and works for the municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Parney said he thought his emotions would be a little higher for his final junior hockey game, but after he started skating around he was able keep his emotions in check.
The pre-game ceremony was a nice tribute, Parney said, adding he enjoyed the surprise of his family showing up.
“I appreciate it. Thirty years of missing birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines Days. …It was great that they showed up, they have done a lot for me, a lot of weekends away, and supported me for all these years,” Parney said of the family support.
Parney is now 50 years-old, and wanted to go out on a high note. Being on the ice making calls two to four times a week takes a toll on an aging body on his days off.
“It takes longer to recoup,” Parney said. “The heart is still in it but the body is starting to say it’s time to slow down now, so it’s time to slow down.”
Looking back at his 30 years, Parney has been involved in many memorable junior hockey games. He said he takes joy in being a part of many great games. One of his fondest memories include a memorable playoff series between the Chatham Maroons and Leamington in the late 1990s. The Maroons battled back from a 3-0 deficit to win the best-of-seven series 4-3. Parney and his crew officiated four of the seven games.
‘It’s series like that (where there’s) two battling teams, two good teams neing a part of that is amazing,” Parney said, also noting a number of Schmalz Cup (Junior C) and Sutherland Cup (Junior B) games he has been a part of over the years.
Due to his experience, Parney has been a mentor to many of the up-and-coming referees and linesmen. When asked who his mentor was, Parney doesn’t hesitate in saying Jim Hawthorne.
Hawthorne, who is currently the commissioner of the Western Ontario Super Hockey League, has been a long-time mentor and instructor to minor hockey officials across the province.
Hawthorne brought Parney through the ranks in minor hockey, junior hockey and through the professional ranks in the United Hockey League and the International Hockey League.
“He has been one guy that I’ve always looked up to. He knows the game of hockey, he brings the right guys on and tries to move guys (up the hockey ladder).
Another person that Parney credits is his wife for her help in supporting him and helping him get ready to head out to a faraway hockey arena.
Jeff Parney will not entirely hang up his whistle. He will continue to referee the Western Ontario Super Hockey League games. He will officiate about four to five games a month.
“Just to give me something to do. I just can’t quit cold turkey…I think it would be tough to just call it quits.”