THE GALLOWAY REPORT
Featuring NHL Linesman Ryan Galloway of Winnipeg, MB

Keep posted to The Ref Room for all of Ryan's updates this NHL season!

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October 6, 2011:

What a thrill and a tremendous honour to reach out to the "Hockey Manitoba world" and give its members an inside view of life as a linesman in the NHL. I hope that this will give the reader a chance to see what its like travelling around North America working as an official in the greatest hockey league in the world.

I am immensely proud of my connection with Hockey Manitoba, having begun my officiating career at the age of 12 in Winnipeg. I started out in St. James and worked through every level available with the burning dream to one day work in the NHL. Through hard work, tremendous support and priceless guidance from many people in Manitoba's hockey community, I eventually reached my goal in the summer of 2002. It may sound cliched, but it seems like only yesterday I worked amateur hockey in countless rinks around the province. I have been fortunate to have met many wonderful people in the province that share the same passion for the game as I do.

The intent of my reports is to give an insight into what life is like in the National Hockey League as an official. I plan to address the highs and even some of the lows that cross my path during a season. It is a long, grinding road, that usually involves about 100,000 miles in the air, 150 nights in a hotel and countless hours away from family and friends. Now before you think I am looking for sympathy, I would not trade this life for the world! I am living a dream and love every moment of it!

This season is starting a little late as I recover from surgery. I missed the preseason to give more time to heal, but as I write this, I'm on a flight from my home (Minnesota) to my season debut in Dallas. I am excited to get back to the ice and get this behind me. As anyone knows that knows hockey, we as officials hate to be away from the game. It is part of who we are.

I am looking forward to keeping everyone updated along the way this season and am hoping you enjoy the perspective of an official in the NHL. For those that follow it for the read, I'm sure you will enjoy the ride. For the young officials coming up in our program, I hope it motivates you to go out there and do the best job you can. I hope you are inspired to dream big and strive for success.

So, for now, we are coming into Dallas on approach, so its time to shut down all electronics, stow any articles that may have been used during the flight and to fasten seatbelts low and tight.

Tomorrow Dallas, Sunday the home opener in Winnipeg. What a thrill that will be. Rob Martell from Stonewall, Vaughan Rody from Winnipeg and I, along with Brad Meier from Saskatoon will have the honour.

Pretty sure I know what the next report will cover!!

Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoy the articles. Regardless of what your involvement is in hockey, the ultimate goal is to provide all the games participants a chance to succeed in an atmosphere that is safe and fair.

Cheers!

Ryan Galloway