Like his father, his name is David Rittich.



Like his father, his nickname around the rink is Rita.



Like his father, his sideline work was refereeing hockey games.



But blowing the whistle for junior was less of a calling than it had been for pops, who officiated for years in the Czech Republic’s highest leagues and regularly drew assignments for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.



For the young man, refereeing was simply a pain-free way of plumping his wallet. Even if details of the per-game rate escape him now.



“It wasn’t too big of a deal, but better than nothing, you know,” Rittich said, grinning as usual. “If you want to go out somewhere with a girl, you can buy some tickets for the cinema or coffee or whatever – you don’t have to go somewhere and just sit on the street.



“At that time, I did it for the money. Because if I wanted to buy something, I didn’t have to ask my...