On Saturday night, linesperson Bob Goodman worked his last game as an American Hockey League official. “Doctor Bob” has been a familiar face during games mostly between Pennsylvania teams for over 30 years. The Hershey native ended his career in his hometown where he grew up, working nearly 500 games since 1992. It’s been a wild ride for Goodman in the town he grew up cheering for the hometown Hershey Bears. He moves into the next step of his life with many memories of being around hockey in Hershey.
Satisfying Side Hustle
Goodman got his start back when Hersheypark Arena was still the home of the Bears. The story of how he got to Hershey includes a recommendation from the legendary Frank Mathers. The Hockey Hall of Fame member passed Goodman’s name along to the league, and it’s been a great partnership ever since. His resume includes working an All-Star Game in 2011, three outdoor games, and two different Calder Cup Finals.
However, his AHL gig is only a side hustle. Goodman works primarily as an anesthesiologist at Harrisburg Hospital just a few minutes away. His background in the medical field is an excellent combination on the ice in the event of any emergencies. It’s just one more in a litany of medical professionals on-hand for a given game, but as the first person on the scene, it makes the process more efficient. Balancing his day job and official duties is challenging, but the league has been very accommodating.
“The league has been awesome about working with all of the officials around our full-time jobs,” Goodman told the Hummelstown Sun in 2020. “About a month ahead of time, I get an email about the future schedule so I go to my calendar to check games that might conflict with my work schedule and block those out. For me, I need to take post-call days or weekends when I’m not on call, so I know I’ll be able to make the games.”
Background in Hershey
Goodman is as local as it gets, having grown up in Hershey. He graduated from Hershey High School and played for the Hershey Jr. Bears prior to taking up the whistle. That background has made most of his favorite memories as an official centered around the biggest events to come to Hershey. Although he grew up as a Bears fan, the officials often feel like a third team on the ice.
“For me, the real special moment was when they had the outdoor games at Hersheypark Stadium,” Goodman said in an interview on Saturday. “It was the very stadium where I played high school football with Hershey High. To be able to go on the ice and officiate the games (in 2013 and 2018) was an incredible experience.”
“The reason we continue to do this is the team on the ice. The team is the three and now four of us that work together. Sometimes both teams and the fans are against us. The three and now four of us stick together, and that’s what makes it so special.”
Between the Lines
As a fixture at Hersheypark Arena, Goodman has many memories of the days at the Old Barn. The Bears moved to Giant Center in 2002, with nearly a decade of Goodman’s experience at Hershey’s former home. Those memories have a special place in his heart, as well as some experiences only those brave enough to wear the stripes would have.
“I started in Hersheypark Arena, and the fans were right on top of you. They let you know what they thought, especially the wild bunch that sat at the glass across from the Zamboni door. They’d hang over the glass and bang on it to let you know what they thought. You have to mention Bob Hartley over at the Arena. Every single game if not every period he’d walk outside our locker room and bang on our door or yell at us as we walked into the room.”
Community Work
Not only has Goodman worked on the ice, he’s been a major contributor off of it. He was part of the team that produced the “From B’ars to Bears” documentary that covered the history of the team. Goodman has been a part of other events such as the team’s “Hockey in Heels” event in years past. The event was a behind-the-scenes showing of the team with Goodman educating about his role.
He’s been recognized by the league in the past prior to Saturday. Goodman was named the recipient of the Michael Condon Memorial Award for outstanding contributions by an on-ice official in 2013. The retirement brought numerous officials out to see Goodman’s final game wearing the stripes.
Chocolate Covered Reception
The AHL and the Bears honored Goodman extensively. Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer and AHL Vice President Hayley Moore presented gifts to Goodman prior to puck drop. Among them were a Bears jersey, a crystal plaque, and a five pound Hershey chocolate bar signed by both teams. Fittingly, the Bears won in overtime and both teams in their entirety stopped to shake Goodman’s hand after the game.
“I want to say congratulations from our coaching staff to Bob Goodman,” Bears head coach Todd Nelson said in his postgame press conference. “Tonight was his last game, he was honored before the game. I hope he enjoys his retirement.”
As for the future, Goodman has plenty to keep him busy. He plans to spend more time with family in addition to furthering his education. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him continue to be close to home in the Sweetest Place on Earth, perhaps returning to his roots in the stands at Giant Center. Goodman will always be a fixture in the Harrisburg and Hershey area, and we wish him the best in his next chapter!
