Mount Pearl hockey linesman recruited to the AHL
A man from Mount Pearl has made it to the professional hockey ranks as a linesman for the American Hockey League.
Darryl Butt, 34, has been an official linesman with the Mount Pearl Referees Association for 18 years.
After hearing of his abilities, a local supervisor with the AHL came to watch Butt's work and recruited him shortly thereafter.
"I'm really excited," Butt told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.
"At first it's probably going to be a little bit nerve wracking, but it's exciting and difficult hockey."
Butt begins his linesman duties when the IceCaps start their home season on Oct. 16.
Butt is the third hockey official from Mount Pearl to make it to the pros — Kevin Penny was the first to join the AHL in 1991 and Justin Day was recruited in 2011.
"Over the course of the years in Mount Pearl we've had a really good officials program, which is still one of the strongest in the province today," Butt said.
He started working as a linesman when he was 14 years old. Two decades later, he still finds it thrilling. He's been an official linesman for minor league hockey, high school hockey and junior and senior leagues.
While he loves the job, Butt said dealing with the wrath of angry fans, players and coaches can be a challenge.
"It's not an easy job, but you've got to have a single mindset," he Butt.
"You've got to have thick skin, there's no sense in being there if you don't. It's got to go in one ear and out the other."
He will work alongside four other linesmen from the Metro area: Jim Vail, Joey Maybard, Sheldon Keough and Brian Lambert.
