Referee-in-chief retiring
SeanHazeldine succeeds Gary Baldwin asreferee-in-chieffor Peter borough Minor HockeyAAAprogram
Thementorhashandedthereins to his protege.
Gary Baldwin, 62, is retiring after 35 years as a hockey official including26asreferee-in-chieffor the Peterborough Minor Hockey CouncilAAAprogram.He’sturning over those duties to his long time officiating, coaching and teaching colleague Sean Hazeldine, 42.
The PMHC accepted Baldwin’s recommendation of Hazeldine.
“I have a lot of respect for Sean asanofficialbutmoreimportantly as a person,” Baldwin said.
“He’s very well respected by the officials in the community. He’s fair. He can still skate the level. SeancanstilldoAAAhockeyatthe bantamandmidgetlevel.Icouldn’t anymore.”
Hazeldine said he’s happy to continue a relationship with the PMHC that started when he was a child.
“There are a lot of good people involved in that organization,” he said.“IwasamemberofthePMHC boardofdirectors10yearsagoand I’ve coached in the league. My son (Owen) is now part of the minor hockey system so I think part of it is giving back to the community. I likebeinginvolvedandhavemade a lot of good contacts through refereeing and enjoy refereeing.”
Theirrelationshipbeganin1996 when Baldwin was vice-principal atNorwoodDistrictIntermediate School. Hazeldine approached Baldwin about a placement there to complete his teaching degree. Baldwin was teaching at Keith Wightman Public School the next yearandrecommendedHazeldine to principal Ron Leeking when an openingcameupinlateAugustand he was hired.
Their relationship grew while teaching together as Hazeldine became an assistant coach with Baldwin in the AAA system and later the junior B team. They movedtoKennerCollegiate,where Hazeldine remains 15 years later, when the intermediate classes at Keith Wightman were moved there. All that time they were officiating as well.
“I didn’t really know Sean as a studentbutgottoknowhimwhen he graduated from teacher’s college,”Baldwinsaid.“Seanrefereed in his teens through high school and university. I didn’t start until after university, when I was 27, so Sean’s been refereeing almost as long as I have even though he’s 20 years younger.”
“We’vestayedfriendsandhewas emceeatmyweddingsowe’vehad agoodrelationshipovertheyears,” Hazeldine said.
Baldwin enjoyed his years as an official but the retired teacher and current city councillor says it’s time.
“I haven’t really been refereeing much,” Baldwin said.
“I’vebeenworkingonthejunior Bbook(ahistoryofPeterborough’s old junior B/A franchise) and I’ve got some city council responsibilities. I’ve been doing a little bit more of old timers Friday night and Sunday morning hockey in Douro.
“IthinkIonlydid18or20games this year and I haven’t been doing anybantamormidget.They’retoo fastformeanymore.It’sdefinitely harder when you’re 62 than when you’re27or28.Asyougetolderyou refocusalittlebit.Mostofmyenergies are going in different directions. I have three grandchildren now,I’mretiredfromteaching;it’s just time.”
Baldwinsaidheonlydidabout75 gamesthepastthreeyearsjustfilling in when there were shortages.
“In our heyday we were probablydoing300to400gamesayear,” he said.
He started officiating at the urging of long-time official Jake Kennedy when a back injury ended his playing days in 1984. He took over the PMHC refereein-chief role from Steve Stanlick whoshiftedhisfocustohighschool hockey.
“I enjoyed the camaraderie,” Baldwin said.
His affiliation with the PMHC began shortly after he returned from Mount Allison University whenhecoachedtheminormidget AAAteam.Hespent10yearsonthe executive and coached for many more while taking on the refereein-chief’s role. He was also coach/ GM of the junior B team which he once played for.
HazeldinesaysBaldwinhasbeen invaluable to local hockey.
“Whether it’s refereeing or coaching or volunteering his time on council or helping with tournaments, his efforts have been well received and recognized,” Hazeldinesaid.“He’shadaninfluenceonmegettinginvolvedinsome ofthisaswell. Ithankhimforthat. He’s done a lot for Peterborough minor hockey.”