Kerry Fraser named to the
Ontario Minor Hockey Association's all-time great team

   
By DAVE BORODY


 

"Treat disrespect with respect."

That's the slogan Sarnia native Kerry Fraser used to help him through his current and colourful 32-year career as a referee in the National Hockey League.
 

Recently Fraser was named to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association's all-time great team in conjunction with their 75th anniversary. Voting was conducted through the OMHA's website.
 

"Except for Mr. Apps, I was yelled at by all the rest of the team members," joked Fraser. Fraser, along with Ray Scapinello and Bill McCreary were named the officials on the team. The remainder of the team included forwards Wayne Gretzky, Doug Gilmour and Syl Apps, defencemen Bobby Orr ad Rob Blake, goalie Curtis Joseph, coach Roger Neilson and executive person Jim Rutherford.

The OMHA partnered with the NHL, the NHLPA and alumni in this project and a beautiful banner depicting each individual team member will be presented and hung in his hometown arena.
 

Fraser decided, in partnership with the Sarnia Sting and the City of Sarnia to have his banner placed at the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre. That will happen during the Sting's opening game of the Ontario Hockey League season on Sept. 18th.
 

During that game the Sting will also honour the 1949-50 Sarnia Sailors hockey team. Kerry's father, Hilt Fraser was a member of that team.

Fraser, along with several members of his family were in Sarnia Thursday for a media conference to announce the special night. The 57-year-old Fraser, who will enter his final season in the NHL in 2009-10, recounted when he received word from the OMHA.


"I was overcome with emotion when I got a letter by courier. I called Kevin Boston of the OMHA and there were tears rolling down my cheeks. I was honored to be a distinguished member of this all-time team."  Fraser could not attend the 75th anniversary celebrations of the OMHA back in June, but sent a letter and read it out loud during last night's media conference.
 

"I told them anything I had done couldn't have happened without the opportunities that the OMHA and the Sarnia Minor Athletic Association provided me as both a player and official. I am humbled to be involved with such legends of the game. There's so many people in Sarnia that deserve credit."
 

With that in mind Fraser says he wanted the banner to be placed at the SSEC.  "Without a lot of people giving my a chance, I wouldn't be here today. I want to share this with those people with helped me and make this a community effort. I contacted major Mike Bradley and gave him a wish list. He put the wheels in motion and along with the Sting felt the banner should go at the SSEC where more people can see it. It was decided to do it on opening night."
 

He added, "hopefully it will inspire players who don't get drafted and to young officials, they can still reach their goals."

As part of the all-time team celebration, the OMHA will be donating five compete sets of hockey equipment in Fraser's name to five minor hockey players from the Sarnia area who have the desire to play hockey, but unfortunately do not have the funds to do so.

Fraser recounted several names who he felt were volunteers in SMAA hockey and also his coaches along the way, Ron Hill, Dick Robinson, his dad, Hilt Fraser, Marty Zorica and Ron Carroll.
 

Fraser played on several championship teams in minor hockey in Sarnia. He later played junior B and tier two junior A in Sarnia. After graduating from junior hockey, Ted Garvin told him to attend a referees school. That's how his pro career in officiating began.
 

Fraser, who now lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and seven children, said the event in September will rival that of the Hockeyville program created by Hockey Night in Canada.

 

"I want all Sarnians from my hometown to be proud of the events taking place that weekend. I contacted the Hockey Hall of Fame and on the night of that game there will be five of the top NHL trophies here in Sarnia. The next day we will have the Stanley Cup in Sarnia along with some other events to be announced shortly. I am really proud to bring this to Sarnia and share it with everyone in Sarnia."


Fraser, a graduate of SCITS is the uncle of ex-Sting player, Jamie Fraser, who recently signed with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL.  Fraser, who has officiated more games than any other NHL referee, was also the youngest referee ever to do a Stanley Cup final series. He said he set up his retirement a couple of years ago.

"I will be doing the outdoor game this year at Fenway Park between Boston and Philadelphia. I also plan to officiate in all 30 NHL cities during the season. My final game will be in Philadelphia when the Flyers host the Rangers. I have some special events planned for that day."


 He added, "I will have an unlimited supply of jerseys I will be wearing throughout the season. I will be glad to give them to different charities to be auctioned off as fundraisers."
 

Fraser, who along with seven children, also has three grandchildren and two more on the way. He says when he retires he plans on writing a couple of books and also plans to get involved with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.