Mike Lynch is a veteran referee who loves officiating adult games.

He’s one of those must-have guys that every local association needs in order to fill slots for the growing ranks of late-night butcher leagues throughout the country. 

Yup, just about every night or weekend, Mike is trolling a rink or stadium where there’s a hockey game to be played.

Wait, Mr. OS. There aren’t adult leagues on weekends.

Right you are. See, Mike’s not just a referee. He’s also a professional hockey photographer. 

I met Mike a few weeks ago at the Can/Am tournament in Las Vegas. Thing is, I didn’t know I had met him until a couple of days later when I saw him in the referees’ room for an early night lumberjack double-set.

“You’re new in town?” I asked.

“No, I met you last week at Can/Am.”

“What?” 

“I was the photographer. And I’m also a ref.”

Interesting. A guy can really get a unique perspective on officiating by analyzing the game through a telephoto lens. Especially a veteran zebra. And Mike was more than happy to share his experiences with the Let’s Play Hockey community.

OS: How long have you been officiating?

Mike: This is my 15th year officiating.

OS: Do your kids ref hockey?

Mike: My daughter is 18. She is entering her fourth year reffing.

And one of the highlights of my career was working a game together with her at the Wells Fargo Center before a Flyers’ game.

OS: What is it like traveling the country as a hockey photographer? 

Mike: I get to watch kids play sports for a living! I can’t complain. Seeing the country for work is just an incredible opportunity.

OS: Do you own your own company and how do associations contact you for photo assignments?

Mike: Yes, I own my photo company called ML Photo (www.facebook.com/mlphotojersey). Most of my business comes from referrals. Usually, I get referred by a parent that is at a tournament, and is also part of another tournament’s staff. These parents/staff members see what I am doing, like the results, and hire me. I also email tournament directors to see if they are looking for a photographer.

OS: I understand you were hired to capture the Mall of America Hockey Jamboree on film. Describe that experience.

Mike: I was actually a freelancer for the company hired, but the Mall’s tournament staff had seen my work so they brought me in from Arizona to be one of the shooters. It was a massive Mite Jamboree. Shooting Mites is an experience. It’s fun to watch the little ones playing, and see the joy in their eyes as they are learning the game.

OS: Do you analyze the officiating aspects of a game when you are behind the camera?

Mike: I try not to, but it’s just unavoidable. I check out positioning, skating and overall game management.

OS: Rule 201(b) in the USA Hockey Playing Rules states that “Only players in uniform and properly-rostered team officials may occupy the players’ bench.” I know this has been interpreted to allow professional photographers to temporarily shoot from the bench area. Where do you locate yourself and your staff?

Mike: We do take some shots from the bench, but we also shoot from the penalty boxes. In fact, I often end up assisting in traffic control. When teams have a stacked box, most coaches don’t understand how it works, with who is returning to the ice and when, so I sort of step in to help out.

OS: As an official who openly admits his enjoyment of beer league hockey, what are your observations about adult leagues and how do you approach the game?

Mike: I like the candor and the loose atmosphere. You can talk to the adults differently than you can to coaches or kids. You can joke a little more and converse in a slightly less businesslike manner. They all know, well, most of them know, their NHL dreams are over, and they are just out there to have fun, blow off some steam, and want to return to work the next day uninjured.

 

Thanks, Mike. 

You know, one of the best parts of being an official for 27 years is the diversity of personalities you meet and work with on the ice. And, trust me, a guy that takes lumberjack games as seriously as Mike, is an invaluable asset to any association. Since Mike is from Arizona, I’m not sure if I’ll ever work with him again, but from my butcher league double-set with him, it was clear that Mike’s devotion to the game is contagious and he absolutely earns the highest award that OS gives to any fellow official: I’d work a men’s league game with him anytime. 

 

Questions and comments can be sent to editor@letsplayhockey.com, via Twitter @OSpeaking or through the Let’s Play Hockey Facebook page.