Well now, you ever wondered how much them NHL referees make per game? You know, them folks who are always blowin’ their whistle and throwin’ them penalties? Well, let me tell ya, they make a pretty good chunk of change, I tell ya that much. They ain’t exactly poor folks, but they sure work hard for it!
So, from what I hear, them NHL referees can make anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 per game. Now, that ain’t chump change, is it? You figure if they’re workin’ several games a week, it adds up fast. Now, some of the real big shot referees, the ones who’ve been around for a while, they’re pullin’ in a lot more. I’m talkin’ about the top dogs like Wes McCauley and Kelly Sutherland. They can make over $400,000 a year, which is more than most folks make in a lifetime! And these ain’t just regular folks, no sir. They gotta know their stuff real good to be makin’ that kind of money.
Now, them top-tier referees, the ones that’ve been doin’ it the longest, can make even more. I’ve heard tell that the senior ones can make as much as $550,000 a year. You do the math on that, and that’s about $7,000 per game! Can you imagine that? Seven thousand bucks just for a few hours of work, blowin’ that whistle and keepin’ them players in check. Pretty good, if you ask me!
But don’t go thinkin’ that all of ‘em make that much. Nah, the pay can vary, especially for the newer referees. Some of them folks might start out with just around $150,000 a year, but they got to work their way up, just like anybody else. A lot of them younger ones make about $200,000 to $360,000 a year, which is still mighty fine, don’t ya think?
But here’s the kicker—those referees who get the playoff games, they get a little extra bonus for that! You see, them playoff games, they’re somethin’ special. Them referees might get an extra $18,000 per round, while the linesmen get $12,000. So if they get a long playoff run, they’re really makin’ bank!
Now, I gotta tell ya, refereeing a hockey game ain’t no easy job. Them referees take a lot of knocks. I mean, those players are flyin’ around at full speed, hittin’ each other like it’s nothin’. So, them referees got to be quick on their feet, sharp with their whistle, and brave enough to stand in the way of them big ol’ players. I don’t know how they do it, but they sure earn their pay, that’s for sure!
In fact, some folks say that them referees are even more at risk than the players themselves. I don’t know about all that, but I do know this: if you can make that much money just blowin’ a whistle, you better believe it’s a tough job, and it ain’t for the faint of heart!
Now, if you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ into the referee business yourself, it ain’t all glitz and glamour. You gotta work your way up, just like anybody else. You start small, maybe workin’ some minor league games or somethin’ like that. And you gotta be ready to take some lumps, ‘cause them players, they don’t take kindly to a referee callin’ them out. But if you stick with it and keep your nose clean, maybe one day you’ll be sittin’ pretty with a fat paycheck like the top-tier guys.
So, there ya have it! NHL referees are makin’ a good livin’, that’s for sure. They might start out small, but if they keep workin’ hard, they can make some serious dough. And don’t forget, those playoff games can really help a fella out, too. So, next time you see a referee out on that ice, just remember: they ain’t just some whistle-blower—they’re workin’ hard and earnin’ a pretty penny for it!
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