Between the Lines

An insider's look at life on the lines

To hockey fans, Ray Scapinello's name and face are as recognizable as any star player or coach in the NHL. Scampy, as he is affectionately known has had a long and storied career as a linesman in the NHL. His 5-foot-7 frame and 163 pounds belie his ability and endurance on the ice. When Ray retired in 2004 after 33 years in the NHL, he had officiated in 2,500 regular season matches (never missing a game), 426 playoff games, and an astounding twenty Stanley Cup final series. His untouchable statistics make him a lock to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame as an official, but even they do not do justice to the respect he has earned from officials, players, coaches, and fans alike. On and off the ice, Scampy is considered one of hockey's great personalities, a consummate professional, a chronic practical joker, and a true ambassador of the sport.

Between the Lines gives a rare glimpse inside the world of hockey from an unusual perspective — through the eyes of one of the game's greatest and best-loved officials. Scampy shares his tales of life both on and off the ice as an official, an inside look at what those players and coaches are really like, what they really say and do, and what the game looks like between the lines. Full of fun stories, perspective on how the game has changed and evolved, and stories and interviews about Scampy from players, coaches, and other officials, Between the Lines is a captivating memoir of a truly unique life in hockey.

Ray “Scampy” Scapinello set untouchable records for games worked by an official in his 33 years as a linesman in the National Hockey League, including 2,500 regular season contests and 426 playoff games. His work ethic and dedication to the game earned him trips to an astounding twenty Stanley Cup final series. Since retiring from the NHL in 2004, Scapinello has been working as a supervisor for the Ontario Hockey League and the Central Hockey League in the US. Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, he has lived in the same neighborhood for 50 years, where he and his wife Maureen raised their son, Ryan. Ray recently established the Ray Scapinello Foundation to help Guelph area students pay for college.

Rob Simpson is the host of a weekly TV series for the Boston Bruins and is the game-night off-ice reporter for all Bruins games on the New England Sports Network (NESN). For four seasons he produced and hosted Maple Leaf America on Leafs TV in Toronto. Simpson has penned articles for the Hockey News, and for Oahu This Week. From 1997 to 2003, Rob was the play-by-play voice on radio and television in the WCHL and ECHL, and was director of broadcasting for Diamond Sports in Boise, Idaho. Rob has taken the road less traveled during a twenty-year broadcasting career, including calling horse races in Michigan, commercial voice work in Australia, and being a TV weatherman in Hawaii. He currently lives in Boston and with his family in Hockessin, Delaware.