Kerry Fraser Honoured At Luncheon

12/9/2009

If ever so humble, there’s no place like home. That was the message Sarnia native and longtime National Hockey League referee Kerry Fraser conveyed at a special luncheon Saturday, hosted by the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre.

The event was part of the two-day celebration to honour Fraser after being named to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association all-time great team earlier this year.

The festivities began on Friday when there was a special banner raising ceremony at the home opener of the Sting. It continued Saturday with a luncheon followed by a small parade, featuring Fraser, his family, players from the Sting and Lambton Jr. Sting teams, from the SSEC over to Canadian Tire where the Stanley Cup, along with several other NHL trophies, were on display for the general public. Fraser will conclude his illustrious career as a NHL referee this season as he will retire at the end of the 2009-10 season. He currently holds the record for most regular season games officiated at 1,804 [to date]. The 57-year-old began his NHL career on Oct. 17, 1980 when he officiated a game between Colorado and Minnesota. Fraser has also officiated 261 NHL playoff games [to date].

“When I first received word I was named to the all-time OMHA team it was a humbling experience and was brought to tears,” said Fraser. “When I spoke to the OMHA, I told them I wanted to make this celebration a community event. That’s because there were so many people who helped me along the way and this would be a great way to thank them.”

Fraser said he spoke with Sarnia mayor Mike Bradley and the Sting and it didn’t take long before plans were put in motion to hold this special event.

“It’s great to have the Stanley Cup in Sarnia. It was supposed to be in Montreal, but we got it here first. It was in Parry Sound on Friday to help honour Bobby Orr.”

Fraser, who holds his family near and dear to his heart, said he remembers the advice his late father, Hilt, gave to him when he signed his first NHL contract. “Dad told me to treat people the same on the way up as on the way down. He told me it didn’t cost anything to be nice. I’ve tried to never forget that.”

He added, “the evening the Sting put together for me and my family is something I’ll never forget. The standing ovation at the game was nice, but I was brought to tears when the Sting presented me with a replica of the Sarnia Sailors sweater my father wore during the 1949-50 season.”

There were a number of special guests at the luncheon. Mayor Bradley said the community is so proud of him. “There was a real spirit and energy in the building last night. We are glad to have Kerry home. I heard he was going to come back and run for mayor when he retires, but he won’t be able to afford the pay cut.”

Also on hand was Rick Morphew, a Sarnia native, who is the OMHA referee-in-chief.

“I was very fortunate to be born and raised in Sarnia. I’ve known Kerry since he was a youngster. It’s nice to come back and see how Sarnia supports their athletes in all sports. What the city and the Sting did for Kerry and his family this weekend was great.”

He added, “Kerry is a great selection for the all-time great OMHA team. It’s a great selection and much-appreciated everything he has done for the game.” Two other officials were named to the OMHA team, referee Bill McCreary and linesman, Ray Scapinello. Scapinello, now retired, was also at the luncheon.

“Kerry’s been a great friend of mine for a longtime. The many times we talked over the years Kerry’s pride of his hometown of Sarnia was always evident. I remember his father coming to games in Detroit. Kerry has a passion for the game of hockey.”

Scapinello recalled when he worked with Fraser during the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. It marked the first time professional officials had worked at the Olympics.

“People wonder why Kerry wears number 2 on his jersey. That’s because he always said his wife, Kathy, was number one. Kerry is a man of immense integrity and a hard-working, dedicated referee. He also never forgot his roots.”

Fraser said he compromised his integrity only once during his career.

“It was around 1980 and the final game of the regular season. There was a guy playing for the Quebec Nordiques. He never played at all during the game. However if he got four more minutes in penalties he would get a bonus.

“When the game ended he came over to me and said something like if I told you to #$#$# off, would I give him a 10-minute misconduct and that would give him a bonus. I told him if he said it two or three times with meaning, I would consider it. So he said it two or three times and I give him a misconduct. He was the only player I can ever remember who said thank you for giving him a penalty.” Fraser also re-counted a little-known story from the famous 1993 playoff game between Los Angeles and Toronto when he missed a high-stick to Doug Gilmour of the Leafs.

“The next day in Sarnia at my parent’s home, my father awoke in the night to see someone in the driveway trying to vandalize his motor home. All he had on was his “tighty-whities,” but he went outside, grabbed an axe and chased the guy off.”

Fraser said after NHL security got involved, the person was a Leaf’s fan from the Kitchener-Waterloo area. “I’m glad my father never caught him or it would have got messy,”

Fraser also had a story about one of the Sting owners, Dino Ciccarelli.

“When Dino played for the Red Wings, he was a scoring machine. But one week things weren’t going well. The Wings scored and Dino came off the bench over to me and wanted me to give him an assist. I told him he wasn’t even on the ice so I couldn’t do that. I really believe Dino deserves to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”

Greg Burr of the Sting marketing department, read a letter from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman congratulating Fraser on his honour.

Besides the three officials, others on the OMHA all-time team included players Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Doug Gilmour, Syl Apps, Rob Blake, and Curtis Joseph, along with coach Roger Neilson and manager Jimmy Rutherford. The team was chosen after an online poll was conducted by the OMHA.

Fraser begins his final season in the NHL. He was do the outdoor game on New Year’s Day at Boston’s Fenway Park while his final regular season game will be in Philadelphia near his home.

Sting president Larry Ciccarelli said the team was glad to celebrate the weekend with Fraser.

“Anytime you see a local product like Kerry achieve what he has done, to be a part of honoring him is the least we can do. The Sting certainly offer our congratulations for his remarkable achievements.”