Being an NHL referee is probably one of the toughest jobs in the world. Everything is happening at an astonishing pace, and there’s just so much going on all the time.
And that’s why Ray ’Scampy’ Scapinello deserves all the praise in the world.
He’s a former NHL linesman known for having the longest on-ice career of anyone in the history of the league.
He was hired into the NHL in 1971 and participated for the last time in 2004. He even officiated in the Stanley Cup playoffs in his last year.
And boy, he has some stories from his many years in the NHL. One time, he shared an awesome one about Tie Domi and what happened in the game where he tallied his 3000th PIM.
Domi was on his way to the penalty box after a fight in a game against New Jersey when Scampy saw Tie’s jersey was torn.
Domi started to take it off and asked if Scampy wanted it.
On the one hand, he was a referee; on the other hand, he loved memorabilia, so he gladly accepted and even asked Domi to sign it for him after the game, which Domi, being the humble guy he is, of course, said yes to.
The Leafs ended up losing the game, but Domi had made a promise, and after the game, he made his way over to the referees’ room.
”After the game, we’re sitting in our dressing room, with guards outside the door, and Domi just walks in,” Scampy said.
”And Andy Van Hellemond, our boss at the time, was in the room for a visit.”
Domi just walked in and threw the jersey to Scampy. But Domi had also left a surprise for Scampy. Not only was the jersey autographed, but it also read: ”March 1, 2002, 3,000 penalty minutes.”
”Wow. Thank you, Tie … congratulations on the monumental achievement,” Scampy said, laughing.
Scampi was a big fan of fights, and especially the heavyweights. During fights, it was the only time the referees could be fans, just like anyone.
”They go, they break it up, they say something, and they’re on their way‚” he said.
