Profile: Henrick Ehlers (Denmark, Umpire)

Name: Henrick Ehlers
Age: 42
Birthplace: Denmark
Residence: Denmark
Occupation: Management Consultant
First International Game: Sweden vs Finland U-21 men 1990

When did you start umpiring, and why?
I started umpiring at a very young age, 19 years ago. At first I entered the hockey world as player in Denmark, which is a country with a vary small hockey population (about 1000 players in the country). During my time as a hockey player, I discovered that I was far too tall for the game and technically inefficient. As I wanted to continue being part of the hockey world because I like it very much, umpiring became an option.

Who was the greatest influence on your umpiring career?
As I mentioned previously I began umpiring at a very young age, and an Englishman whose name I don’t quite remember told me that I was good at it. This is why I decided to take the umpiring career seriously.

What was the highlight of your umpiring career?
Well, I believe the highlight of my career was the 2006 World Cup

Is there a team that you find especially hard to umpire?
I believe that all teams are difficult, especially teams that are hosts and disputing a place in the Olympic Games, a World Cup, or trying to win a tournament.

Who is the player you most admire?
Teun de Nooijer from Netherlands.

What do you like most about umpiring and what frustrates you the most?
What I like most about hockey is the sport itself, and if I had to say something that frustrates me, it would be when I find after the game that I may have committed some mistake.

If you could change one thing about hockey, what would it be?
I believe I would not change anything at the game, but I think more technology would be substantial for the excellence in our performance.

What do you do during tournaments to relax?
In my free time during the tournaments I do internet, and some TV. I also like visiting the place where I am staying as well as going for a run in the morning and then doing nothing in the evening but relaxing.

What are your interests outside hockey, and what are your plans after you finish umpiring at this level?
In my free time I play tennis and golf, although I need to play golf more often to improve. Regarding my life after ending my umpiring career, it is not much of a problem. The umpiring career ends at the age of 47, so I still have 5 years to go. And when you had a whole bouquet of international games, retiring is not difficult as you have been able to travel and have experience from all those games.

What is one piece of advice you would give to young umpires?
If I were to give some advice to young umpires, I would tell them to really like what they do, to enjoy it because it is a wonderful task as well as to be very level headed.

If you had a chance to do anything you like, what would it be?
I would be an umpire!