Kerry Fraser not a fan of NHL’s new headshot rule

While the NHLPA may have signed off on the league’s new headshot rule, one NHL referee is blowing the whistle on the whole thing.

Kerry Fraser, the league’s most senior official with more than 29 years of experience, says it’s ridiculous to modify the rulebook in mid-season.

“Sure the NHL and its players want to reduce injuries, but they need to study the long-term effects of a rule change before implementing it,” said Fraser. “A safer working environment is nice, but at what cost?”

Fraser says the last time the league tried to curb head injuries it cost him more than $5 million in endorsements.

“Before they started making me wear a helmet I owned this league,” said Fraser. “Bettman promised me they would grandfather me in like MacTavish, but the dirty, little coward went back on his word.”

As you may remember, Fraser was one of Canada’s biggest stars in the 90s, appearing on cereal boxes, making cameos on popular CBC shows such as North of 60, even showing up in the music video for the Crash Test Dummies’ smash hit “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm.”

“I had the world by its tail,” said Fraser, trailing his fingers through his still-luscious head of hair. “What’s the saying, fast women and fast living?”

Once romantically linked to Canadian starlets such as Neve Campbell, Kim Cattrall and Street Legal’s Cynthia Dale, Fraser’s world came crashing down on him with the institution of the helmet rule in 2006.

“If I never had to put on that damn helmet, Sean Avery would be begging me for sloppy seconds,” said the 57-year-old. “I could be balls-deep in Juno or that hottie from Lost right now, but instead I had to settle for Sandra Oh.”

Fraser married the Grey’s Anatomy star in 2007. The couple is expecting their second child in June.

Aside from women, the rule change also cost Fraser lucrative sponsorships. Much like what happened with Tiger Woods, companies couldn’t drop Fraser fast enough. Supercuts, Pomade and most famously, Pert Plus, who replaced Fraser with retired Olympic cyclist Curt Harnett, all cancelled their long-standing endorsement contracts.

“It ruined my life,” said Fraser. “I just hope this new rule change doesn’t affect peoples’ livelihoods like the last one did mine.”

But it’s not all bad for Fraser. After deciding to retire at the end of the season rather than continue suffering the indignity of wearing a helmet, the veteran official has grand plans for his golden years.

“It feels like we’ve been planning it since we were teenagers, but my hair and I are finally going to take our long-awaited motorcycle trip across South America,” said Fraser. “Sandra’s already agreed to watch the kids for six months, so it’s gonna be great!”

Why South America, you ask?

“No helmet laws down there,” chuckled Fraser. “I can already feel the wind in my hair.”

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