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Title: So-so Insight into NHL Referees
Review: By his own admission, Mr. Irvin placed a microphone on the table, recorded their comments and, basically, transcribed word-for-word what NHL referees, past and present, had to say about the game.While by no means does repeating subject comments, practically, verbatim to text represent a weak effort, in Mr. Irvin's case one would have expected more. Considering he has direct lineage of one of hockeys most storied coaches, has seen practically every Montreal Canadiens game in the past 40 or 50 years, has written dozens of hockey books and provided countless analysis on HNIC this book represents a let down. Given the lack of 'off-ice observer' insight one would expect from someone who practically grew up in the Forum, we are then left with large-scale referee reminiscing, much of it repetitive (entry into the profession, forced early retirement, mentors), however with little depth and not much to re-new our appreciation for the men in stripes.
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