Season 7, Episode 23
February 10, 2026

 
On this special episode of #RefsPodcast, retired NHL referee Ian Walsh shares his journey from officiating in the NHL to mentoring young officials in various leagues. He talks with Todd and Josh about the importance of feedback and coaching for up-and-coming referees, the role of replay technology in officiating, and his memorable experiences at the Sochi Olympics. Ian also compares the officiating styles and rules between the NHL and IIHF, emphasizing the need for officials to trust their instincts and adapt to the game.

 

 

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The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We’ll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was – or wasn’t – handed out. 

Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. 

Josh Smith is the managing editor of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.