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Talk of the Bay

Behind-scenes players get their title rings, too

By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE
Published June 12, 2006

Players and coaches on professional championship and runnerup teams usually get the gaudy jewelry commemorating the event.

Now, the officials of those teams have received some rings, too.

St. Petersburg jewelry designer Richard J. Chador recently finished work on National Hockey League rings that were presented in April to officials of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames, who met in the NHL finals won by the Lightning in 2004.

The officials don't include the on-ice referees. Instead, they include official timekeepers, goal judges, instant-replay officials and a host of other behind-the-scenes people who keep games running smoothly.

Chador said 20 officials from each team got rings he designed that were made of 14-carat gold. One side of the ring contains the teams' names, the other contains the championship insignia with the individual's name.

Chador said he was approached by an NHL official to make the rings. Officials have wanted rings presented to these folks for many years. But previous designs, Chador said, never met with approval. Why?

"Officials are supposed to be impartial," Chador said. "Previous designs noted which team was victorious."

- WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE, Times staff writer

[Last modified June 12, 2006, 06:35:09]