Palatine grad, NHL ref McElman to be honored

Andy McElman has officiated hockey games at some of the area's most infamous, now-closed ice rinks.

They include the Arlington Spectrum, the Polar Dome, the arena at Randhurst Mall with its impressive, four-sided scoreboard that hung over center ice, and even the Deerfield Bubble — the rink that was so cold that he wore winter gloves during games.

McElman also has officiated hockey games at some of the world's most famous arenas, including Madison Square Garden in New York, Joe Louis Arena in Detroit and the United Center — and in Edmonton, where it's always cold, McElman said.

He's officiated at the good, bad, ugly and uncomfortable — and has loved every moment in his black-and-white striped uniform.

Especially the past 18 years — as a National Hockey League linesman, one of 34 full-timers in that job in the world.

McElman will be honored for his work as an official when he is inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame in a ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday at Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove Village.

McElman and Jay Jacobs will represent the Officials Category, marking the 26th and 27th Illinois Hockey Officials Association (IHOA) members to be inducted.

“It's a big surprise, a huge honor,” McElman said. “I'm really happy that I'm going in with Jay Jacobs, and I'm really happy for him too, because we worked a ton of games together in the IHL. It's very special to be inducted with Jay.

“I didn't expect something like this to happen. I never dreamed that it would be something that would happen while I'm still active. I was taken off guard when I got the phone call (saying that I was being inducted). I'm humbled and honored to be selected.”

McElman's roots are iced in the suburbs. He was a child in Park Forest, then, when his parents moved to Palatine in 1970 to be closer to their jobs at the suburban headquarters for United Airlines, he was hooked on hockey. He first started skating on a local creek near the family's home, then played for the Palatine Norsemen organization and, eventually, as a defenseman for Palatine High School, where he graduated in 1979.

He also officiated games early in the mornings on weekends, starting when he was 12, often doing three games in a row.

“I was officiating then mostly just to get extra ice time, and to learn another part of the game,” McElman said. “We used it to improve our skating ability.”

McElman, now 49 and living in Algonquin, also spent two years studying at Harper College, and by the 1980s was on the fast track to fame.

His first break came when he was invited to officiate the Junior A Nationals in Dubuque, Iowa. And he was scouted there by Mark Rudolph from Colorado-based USA Hockey.

Rudolph eventually invited McElman to work the National Sports Festival in Colorado.

“That (event) got me my first national exposure,” McElman said.

A few years later, he was offered a referee trainee position with the NHL.

He skated his first NHL game in October, 1993, in St. Louis, as the Blues played host to the Florida Panthers at the now-closed Checkerdome. He was paired with veteran NHL officials Ray Scapinello and Don Koharski.

And yet it wasn't too memorable of a moment. At least not the first period.

“I made a huge error, calling a two-line pass against Brett Hull when (the Blues) were a man down and (Hull) was going on a breakaway,” McElman said. “I was very upset after the first period. I was none too happy with myself in the locker room.”

Luckily fellow official Leon Stickle also was around — to help ease the tension and calm McElman down.

Stickle saw the frustrated McElman and said, “Hey kid, you're not going to quit, are you?”

McElman laughed and replied, “No way.”

The rest of that game was “awesome,” McElman said.

As have every other game over the past 18 winters.

“I don't remember a time when I didn't (enjoy officiating),” McElman said. “I never thought that I'd be doing this for a living. It's all about the camaraderie, the teamwork, the guys who you go to battle with on the ice, (and) the ability to showcase my skating.

“Those are the things that kept me motivated, interested, aspiring to get to the next level, gave me the drive to continue improving.”

Especially during the down times in the mid-1980s.

You see, McElman was released from the NHL referee trainee program after a few years. So he personally contacted the International Hockey League (IHL) to become a linesman in that top-tiered minor league.

He worked in the IHL for seven seasons until the NHL came back to him. He also at the time worked in the real world for 13 years, including 11 years in the printed circuit board design division for Motorola.

“It was a little disheartening (being released by the NHL), but, at the same time, I still wanted to stay involved with officiating,” McElman said.

Ironically, it was Bryan Lewis, the director of officials for the NHL, who released McElman — and Lewis also hired him full-time as a linesman.

“When I was hired (by the NHL), at age 31, which was considered old as a linesman, my goal was to try to get into the playoffs within five years. Well, it took me seven years,” McElman said. “My next (career) goal was to last (in the NHL) until age 45, to last 15 years for the 15-year ring (given to officials).

“I've exceeded some of my goals, but didn't meet some of them. “But the last 18 years … they've been very cool.”

Such as the 2002 NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles, which he worked. Or the 2009 Bridgestone Winter Classic, played at Wrigley Field.

“That was an unbelievable experience,” said McElman, a longtime Cubs fan who skated the New Year's Day game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. “Standing at center ice in Wrigley Field as the (military) fly-by went over my head, wow, that was really cool.”

McElman also has skated NHL playoff games, which he said, “are awesome and it's amazing how quicker and more intense the game gets.”

But never a Stanley Cup game. That's still on his bucket list, of course.

“I always have a jump in my step when I get out on the ice,” he said.

But are you nervous? Sometimes, he admitted.

“Every game brings something different,” McElman said. “You never see the same thing over and over again. There's always a mental challenge, and that's the most difficult part of the game. And there's the physical challenge too, which really is a joy.”

And of course a fight or two to break up as well.

McElman remains a local supporter of officiating. He attends most of the start of the season instructional seminars for area officials, offering advice and answering questions.

“I try to give back as much as I can,” McElman said. “I think it's important to give back, so the younger officials know that, yes, there are opportunities are out there (for officials).

“You just never know what opportunities are out there, and I'm a pretty good example of that. Yes, sometimes you do get those breaks.

“I've been very, very fortunate, very lucky.”

And good.