Jackson discusses NHL refereeing career, role with ESPN during trip to hometown

The 59-year-old individual has worked 1,546 regular-season games and has served as a rules analyst since 2021.

By Dave Stubbs

@Dave_Stubbs NHL.com Columnist

July 07, 2024

Throughout his 40-year career as a referee, Dave Jackson embarked on numerous steps that ultimately led him to achieve remarkable milestones.

Four months after undergoing surgery to replace both of his hips, he accomplished a lifelong dream by embarking on a challenging ascent of nine. This remarkable achievement took place on July 4.

Upon arriving in the lobby of the Bob Birnie Arena, the picturesque barn located in his suburban-Montreal hometown of Pointe-Claire, Jackson expressed a wistful sentiment, reminiscing about the time he first stepped foot into the building as a five-year-old in 1969, and his lifelong desire to ascend into the press box.

His dream would finally come true on this day, as a hockey gem was constructed as part of the 1967 Canadian Centennial initiative.

The six-day visit that Jackson would have at his home from Colorado, where he resides 25 miles south of Denver, would evoke mixed emotions.

Dave Jackson on July 4, 2024, in the four-seat press box of Bob Birnie Arena in Montreal-suburban Pointe-Claire, where his refereeing career began at age 14 in 1978-79.

Today, an NHL and AHL linesman, accompanied by his wife Jill, daughter Madeline, and son Ryan, bid a final farewell to his late father, Graham, who passed away in March at the age of 91. Jackson’s other son, Shayne, who is currently establishing himself as a hockey agent in Kurt Overhardt’s KO Sports agency, regretfully couldn’t be present due to residing out west.

Many people gathered at a 69-year-old church on Saturday for a service to honor Jackson’s parents, who had been devoted members of the parish for several decades.

Jackson, aged 59, would deliver a heartfelt tribute to a cherished family man and a respected member of the community during a memorial service that lasted one hour. This came after Jackson had dedicated the majority of the past four days to restoring the family home, which had been in their possession since 1967.

Last week, he found solace in the company of his lifelong friends and revisiting the places that held countless memories from his childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood, thereby bringing some much-needed relief from the emotionally challenging task of preparing the house for sale.

In 1978-79, at the age of 14, Jackson had his first experience as a referee on the ice of Bob Birnie Arena, which was a part of the local minor hockey league. Meanwhile, my journey in journalism kickstarted a year before, stationed in the press box of the same arena, reporting on the city’s Junior B team. Our paths became intertwined, setting the foundation for a shared history.

Graham Jackson is remembered in a July 6, 2024 memorial service, and a late 1970s Metro Junior Hockey League puck that Dave Jackson found in his late father’s home, giving it to the author as a gift to celebrate the careers of a referee and a journalist that began in Pointe-Claire’s Bob Birnie Arena one year apart.

Last week, we had a conversation that took place at a location that was almost equally distant from where we both grew up. During this conversation, we took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about various individuals, locations, and events that were significant to us. We discussed the convenience store that was situated on the corner, the drug store that was located down the road, the iconic duckpin bowling alley that could be found across the street, and the nearby sports shop where we used to get our skates sharpened. We even remembered an ice-cream parlor that used to be around the corner, which Jackson briefly operated and jokingly referred to as “two summers of misery.”

We reminisced about our time as caddies at a nearby golf course, where we catered to thrifty golfers whose wayward shots consistently landed in bushes and irrigation ponds rather than on the fairways.

Valois Park, a well-liked spot just a short distance away, featured a baseball diamond, soccer field, community pool, and tennis courts. During the winter, the hockey rink, now equipped with artificial refrigeration, was set up on these very courts. Kevin Meagher, the deceased brother of NHL senior executive vice president Gary Meagher, held the position of Dave Jackson’s summer park-program leader at this location.

From December 22, 1990, when he made his debut at the Quebec Colisee, to his final game on March 29, 2018, at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in Los Angeles, Jackson officiated a total of 1,546 regular-season NHL games. Additionally, during the period of 1999-2016, he was responsible for overseeing 83 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Moreover, Jackson had the privilege of officiating the 2002 and 2018 NHL All-Star Games, as well as the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Dave Jackson confers with New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur during a game at Continental Airlines Arena on Sept. 28, 2016, and in the officials’ dressing room at Amalie Arena on Jan. 28, 2018, following the 2018 NHL All-Star Game.

As he embarked on his path towards the NHL, there were numerous milestones along the way. His journey commenced at the Birnie arena, propelling him from minor hockey to the Quebec major junior league and eventually to the minor professional leagues.

While sipping his coffee, Jackson relished the iPad spreadsheet showcasing his entire NHL career meticulously prepared by the League’s statistics department. It documented every single game he had played, listing the dates, locations, opponents, and final scores.

“I have this handwritten in a binder back home,” he said, with a grin. “It became a habit. Ever since I began refereeing at the age of 14, I made sure to document every game, checking them off as I received payment. Even after reaching the NHL and being on salary, I continued to mark off games.”

At the young age of 21, he embarked on his journey as an NHL trainee without even having officiated a junior game. Jackson, a student at Ron Fournier’s officiating school, caught the attention of Bryan Lewis, the League’s newly appointed director of referee development, who recognized his immense potential.

Lewis expressed his confidence in Jackson’s ability to handle difficult situations with composure and control, assuring the Montreal Gazette that he had observed maturity in him from their initial conversation. Lewis was so convinced of Jackson’s potential that he even went as far as telling his boss, John McCauley, that he was willing to bet his own mortgage on his success.

Dave Jackson on July 4, 2024, outside the officials’ room at Bob Birnie Arena in Montreal-suburban Pointe-Claire, where he dressed for games as his refereeing career began at age 14 in 1978-79, and signalling a good goal following a review during a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks on March 28, 2015, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Wes McCauley, John’s son, was not only one of Jackson’s numerous colleagues throughout his journey but also a fellow referee for the 2018 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa.

Jackson has been serving as ESPN’s rules analyst since 2021, offering insights during broadcasts to clarify calls made on the ice by utilizing his knowledge of the rule book and personal experience. Recently, the network extended his contract for an additional three years, ensuring his presence until 2026-27.

His main place of work is a specially constructed studio at home, where he primarily works. However, during the Stanley Cup Final and the first round of the playoffs, he attends games in person. For these events, he works from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut. Interestingly, the studio there is an exact replica of the one built for him at home by the network.

Jackson stated, “My worth extends beyond being brought on air occasionally during a game. I am in constant communication with the producer, providing crucial information such as identifying penalties and their location. This enables the producer to quickly locate the appropriate replay. I am a valuable asset to them behind the scenes.”

Jackson was not given many opportunities to participate in the network during his first season. He had to establish trust and chemistry with the broadcast and production teams. Since there was no eye contact or visual cues, it was challenging for him to immediately start providing analysis.

ESPN NHL rules analyst Dave Jackson at work in the network’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

He shared, “Even before the job was offered to me, I would often find myself sitting on the couch at home, receiving a call, and then proceeding to explain the rules to my wife.” He continued, “Upon hearing this, she suggested, ‘You should consider becoming a rules analyst.’ It was at that moment when I realized that I could easily explain a call to her within a matter of two minutes.”

Upon receiving the job, I discovered that I had a mere 20 seconds on air. It proved to be quite a challenge to condense my thoughts. I often found myself interrupted by the producer who urged me to conclude before reaching my intended point. I would think, ‘Hold on, I’m just presenting my argument.’ Although I usually excel, there are occasions when I yearn for the opportunity to redo it.

The distance between coffee and the Birnie arena was a mere two miles. Today, the main rink stood alongside a new annex. Jackson realized that it had been nearly ten years since he last skated under this roof. Just a few days ago, he had caught up with old friends who were playing a game in the annex, and afterwards, they all went for a beer at a nearby local bar.

Not having strolled through the main arena where his journey as a referee had commenced nearly 45 years prior, he had consequently missed the sight of his grand photo occupying a prominent spot on the concourse wall. Positioned right below the press box, it served as a tribute to his illustrious induction into the esteemed Hockey West Island’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Dave Jackson at Amalie Arena on Jan. 28, 2018, following the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. With officiating crew Mark Shewchyk (left), fellow referee Wes McCauley and Brian Mach, and with his son Ryan, daughter Madeline, wife Jill and son Shayne.

In his youth, Jackson fondly remembered watching numerous hockey games here, where he witnessed the early talents of Ian Turnbull and Greg Holst, who later went on to play in the NHL.

During the period from 1973 to 1982, Turnbull showcased his skills in 628 matches for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Conversely, Holst’s stint with the New York Rangers was brief, having played only 11 games from 1975 to 1977. However, despite their disparate on-ice careers, Holst and Jackson forged a strong friendship off the ice. They joined forces in a Pointe-Claire men’s softball league for an impressive span of 25 years, after Holst returned home from his hockey endeavors in Austria.

According to Jackson’s recollection, Greg achieved the status of Austria’s Wayne Gretzky. He was the rookie of the year in the American Hockey League during the 1975-76 season and went on to experience remarkable success as a player from 1978-93. Following his playing career, he also served as a coach for an additional 15 years.

The visit to the Birnie press box was brief, lasting only a few minutes. It was Jackson’s inaugural ascent and my first since 1979. However, it was an incredibly delightful experience. A padlock was opened at the bottom of the nearly vertical nine steps, and the door at the top was subsequently unlocked.

It is a coincidence, or not, that there are nine steps, the sweater number of late Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice Richard. “The Rocket” paid a few visits here for alumni games and the Pointe-Claire Oldtimers tournament, he and fellow Canadiens greats at different times serving as honorary president.

Dave Jackson was the first inducted into the Hockey West Island Hall of Fame, the organization of minor hockey teams in various suburbs west of Montreal. His 2010 induction photo is displayed in Pointe-Claire’s Bob Birnie Arena, where he began his refereeing career as a 14-year-old in 1978-79.

Since 1969, the tournament has managed to raise over $2.5 million for local charities. Notable former NHL players such as Fleming Mackell, Don Awrey, John Ferguson, Norm Ullman, Bunny Larocque, Donald Audette, Robin Burns, Leo Labine, and other esteemed individuals have contributed to its success.

Nowadays, the press box is hardly ever utilized, with smoky plexiglass panels firmly installed, giving the impression of viewing the rink through a foggy shower door. Nonetheless, Jackson couldn’t contain his joy as he occupied one of the four chairs, comfortably positioning himself behind a microphone for a picture. He then eagerly descended to glance at his Hall of Fame photo.

On August 11, 1967, a concert promoted by a local top-40 radio station transformed this arena into much more than just a hockey rink. The headline act was none other than Paul Revere and the Raiders, a globally adored rock-and-roll band led by the charming heartthrob Mark Lindsay.

Billy Joe Royal, famous for his 1965 hit “Down in the Boondocks,” was part of the show. The following day, the Raiders embarked on a visit to Expo 67, Canada’s centennial-year exposition.

In the subsequent March, the world curling championship, known as the Air Canada Silver Broom, captivated the spotlight. This gripping event spanned five days and featured participation from eight nations. To mark its commencement, the esteemed Canadian Governor-General Roland Michener, a passionate curler himself, proudly delivered the ceremonial first rock.

Pointe-Claire’s Bob Birnie Arena, photographed on April 25, 2022. Opened on Oct. 18, 1965, built as a 1967 Canadian Centennial project, the building’s first manager was the late Paul Bibeault, who played NHL goal in the 1940s for Montreal, Toronto, Boston and Chicago.

In September 1974, the Russians made what could be called an invasion. They arrived to participate in a practice session during their series against a World Hockey Association all-star team. Approximately 1,500 spectators, including former Canadiens coach Scotty Bowman who was diligently jotting down notes, gathered to witness Soviet coach Boris Kulagin leading his team in a lively 90-minute workout. The session showcased the talents of legendary players Vladislav Tretiak and Boris Mikhailov.

In recent times, the Bob Birnie has been utilized as a Quebec vaccination center to administer COVID-19 shots, attracting thousands of individuals seeking immunization during the pandemic.

As Jackson and I strolled through the building on a summer afternoon, it was peaceful. We noticed a group of figure skaters practicing on the ice. Curiosity led Jackson to pause near the referees’ room, which he remembered as less than impressive when he used it. He decided to push the door open, and to his delight, he discovered that the room had undergone a slight expansion since his time.

Excited to finally hit the ice after his hip-replacement surgery in February, Jackson had made arrangements to fly back home on Sunday. In Denver, he would join his friends – a few of them former NHL players – for their long-standing tradition of playing hockey twice a week, a tradition that had been going strong for 25 years.

He said with a forced smile, “The sole letdown is that I initially believed my lower-back pain was connected to my hips. However, I now understand that it is actually related to my back.”

Dave Jackson with his arm raised during a 2018 game, and an imaging view of his two new hips, the joints replaced in February 2024.

After being retired for six years as an on-ice official, Jackson reflects on the things he misses and those he doesn’t, expressing contentment in his current role as a significant contributor to ESPN’s NHL coverage.

He expressed his longing for the pregame meal with his friends, where they would discuss hockey, their families, and their personal lives. He admitted that he didn’t particularly enjoy traveling, but he cherished the experience of being on the road. Although he would naturally miss his family, he now yearned for the opportunity to witness North America as he had in the past.

Jackson happily added that the stress is left behind.

“He said that certain individuals manage it more effectively,” he remarked. “Stephen Walkom, who currently holds the position of NHL executive vice president and the League’s director of officiating, serves as a remarkable illustration. Throughout the previous month’s Final, we would take a stroll together daily. Our friendship dates back to 1986.”

I expressed to Stephen my admiration for his resilience as a referee. He had an incredible knack for brushing off even the most egregious mistakes. Instead of dwelling on a terrible call, he would simply acknowledge it with a “Well, I can’t undo it, so why stress? I’ll improve in the next game.” And just like that, it vanished from his mind. Meanwhile, I would obsess over a bad call for days, losing sleep and fixating on it. I certainly don’t miss those days.

The flame that continues to shine brightly within Jackson is the sheer energy he felt whenever he stepped onto the ice, be it in front of his parents at Bob Birnie or in packed NHL arenas.

“I miss that feeling,” he expressed, reminiscing. “Stepping onto the ice in the NHL, surrounded by the melody, the dimmed lights, the deafening cheers from the crowd. Standing at center ice as the national anthems play, it’s akin to attending an airshow and having an F-18 soar above you – it evokes a surge of emotions, a palpable sensation in your chest. Just being there, I long for it.”

Top photo: Dave Jackson on July 4, 2024, at Bob Birnie Arena in Montreal-suburban Pointe-Claire, a figure-skating practice on the ice behind him.