Synopses & Reviews
An insider's look at life on the linesTo hockey fans, Ray Scapinello's name and face are as recognizable as any star player or coach in the NHL. Scampy, as he is affectionately known has had a long and storied career as a linesman in the NHL. His 5-foot-7 frame and 163 pounds belie his ability and endurance on the ice. When Ray retired in 2004 after 33 years in the NHL, he had officiated in 2,500 regular season matches (never missing a game), 426 playoff games, and an astounding twenty Stanley Cup final series. His untouchable statistics make him a lock to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame as an official, but even they do not do justice to the respect he has earned from officials, players, coaches, and fans alike. On and off the ice, Scampy is considered one of hockey's great personalities, a consummate professional, a chronic practical joker, and a true ambassador of the sport.
Between the Lines gives a rare glimpse inside the world of hockey from an unusual perspective — through the eyes of one of the game's greatest and best-loved officials. Scampy shares his tales of life both on and off the ice as an official, an inside look at what those players and coaches are really like, what they really say and do, and what the game looks like between the lines. Full of fun stories, perspective on how the game has changed and evolved, and stories and interviews about Scampy from players, coaches, and other officials, Between the Lines is a captivating memoir of a truly unique life in hockey.
Review
“It was a pleasure to be included as part of this book about Scampy and his friends and life behind the scenes as an official. I had no idea about some of the different things he was up to off the ice, and it offers a fresh perspective on a few of the NHL’s most talked about games and incidents. It’s also a testament to one of the more remarkable individuals ever to be involved in hockey.”
—From the Foreword by Scotty Bowman
“Throughout his career Ray conducted himself with the utmost professionalism and class. His calm demeanor, combined with an ability to react appropriately to any situation are the reasons Scampy leaves the game with great respect and admiration from players and coaches throughout the NHL. He is a great man and a class act.”
—From the Foreword by Steve Yzerman
Synopsis
"It was a pleasure to be included as part of this book about Scampy and his friends and life behind the scenes as an official. I had no idea about some of the different things he was up to off the ice, and it offers a fresh perspective on a few of the NHL's most talked about games and incidents. It's also a testament to one of the more remarkable individuals ever to be involved in hockey."
—From the Foreword by Scotty Bowman
"Throughout his career Ray conducted himself with the utmost professionalism and class. His calm demeanor, combined with an ability to react appropriately to any situation are the reasons Scampy leaves the game with great respect and admiration from players and coaches throughout the NHL. He is a great man and a class act."
—From the Foreword by Steve Yzerman
Praise for Between the Lines
"heart-warming"
—Garth Woolsey, The Toronto Star
"An unusual on- and off-ice glimpse of a long and storied career."
—Daryl Slade, The Calgary Herald
"Between the Lines... is the pleasantly rambling tale of "Scampy," the legendary, recently retired NHL linesman who's been around the game seemingly since the invention of ice."
—Dave Stubbs, The Montreal Gazette
About the Author
Ray "Scampy" Scapinello (Guelph, ON) set untouchable records for games worked by an official in his 33 years as a linesman in the National Hockey League. Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, he has lived in the same neighbourhood for 50 years, where he and his wife Maureen raised their son, Ryan. Ray recently established the Ray Scapinello Foundation to help needy Guelph area students pay for college.
Rob Simpson (Hockessin, Delaware) is the host of a weekly TV series for the Boston Bruins and is the game-night off-ice reporter for all Bruins games on the New England Sports Network (NESN). For four seasons he produced and hosted Maple Leaf America on Leafs TV in Toronto. Simpson has penned articles for the Hockey News, and for Oahu This Week.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.
Foreword by Scotty Bowman.
Foreword by Steve Yzerman.
Chapter 1. The Essential Scampy.
Chapter 2. Big Games, Colossal Pressure.
Chapter 3. Fighters and Brawlers.
Chapter 4. Young "Gus" Grows.
Chapter 5. Gaining Experience.
Chapter 6. A Brotherhood of Pranksters.
Chapter 7. All in the Family.
Chapter 8. NHL Evolutions.
Chapter 9. Privet (Hello) Russia.
Chapter 10. What's Left Behind and Lies Ahead.
Index.