In ice hockey, an official is responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining order. On-ice officials are present on the ice during the game, and traditionally wear a shirt with black and white vertical stripes. The National Hockey League (NHL) currently employs four on-ice officials in each game—two referees and two linesmen. Referees are identified by their red or orange armbands. They are responsible for the general supervision of the game, assess penalties, and conduct face-offs at the beginning of each period and after a goal is scored. When play is stopped for another reason, the face-offs are conducted by the linesmen. The linesmen are primarily responsible for violations involving the centre line and blue lines, such as icing and offside infractions.
Since 1994-95 season, picking up where it left off from 1977, all of the officials wear numbers rather than last names.
Current officials
editNotes:
- #35 (referee) and #85 (linesman) are spare numbers; they are not issued to anyone, and are only worn in the event that a game-assigned official's equipment is lost in transit.
- #72 is retired in honor of late linesman Stephane Provost, who died in 2005.
- #99 was retired league-wide in 2000 to honour Wayne Gretzky.
- † indicates an official on an NHL/AHL minor league contract
Former NHL officials
edit
Don Adam [47]
Derek Amell - Reid Anderson
- Blaine Angus
- Neil Armstrong
Malcolm Ashford - George Ashley (October 14, 1941 – April 8, 2024) – Deceased
- John Ashley – Deceased
- Ron Asselstine
- Stephane Auger [48]
- Charlie Banfield
- David Banfield
- Bill Beagan [49]
- Claude Bechard (November 2, 1938 – July 5, 2007) – Deceased
- Bob Best
- Ken Bodendistel (1940 – November 21, 2013) – Deceased
- Wayne Bonney
- Ryan Bozak
- Gord Broseker
- John Brown
- Vern Buffey (December 26, 1928 – September 11, 1990) – Deceased
- Darcy Burchell
- Lonnie Cameron [50]
- Brent Casselman
- Bill Chadwick – Deceased[51]
- Pierre Champoux
- Jim Christison (September 13, 1946 – November 30, 2016) – Deceased[52]
- Chris Ciamaga
- King Clancy – Deceased
- David Clutsam
- Kevin Collins [53]
- Mike Cvik [54]
- Angelo D'Amico
- John D'Amico – Deceased
- Pat Dapuzzo [55]
- Bernard DeGrace
- Greg Devorski [56]
- Paul Devorski [57]
- Steve Dowling
- James Doyle
- Scott Driscoll [58]
- Ron Ego
- Chaucer Elliott – Deceased
- Joe Ernst
- Mark Faucette
- Ron Finn
- Paul Flaherty
- Wayne Forsey
- Ron Fournier [59]
- Bob Frampton – Deceased
- Kerry Fraser [60]
- Bill Friday [61] — Deceased
- Ryan Galloway [62]
- Gerard Gauthier
- Doug Geiger
- Darren Gibbs [63]
- Roger Gilbertson
- Lloyd Gilmour (August 19, 1927 – August 11, 2010) – Deceased
- John Grandt
- Terry Gregson
- Conrad Hache
- Bob Hall
- Ron Harris – Deceased
- Wally Harris — Deceased
- Mike Hasenfratz — Deceased
- George Hayes – Deceased
- Don Henderson
- Bob Henry
- Bobby Hewitson – Deceased
- Shane Heyer
- Scott Hoberg
- Bob Hodges
- Ron Hoggarth
- Bruce Hood – Deceased[64]
- Mickey Ion – Deceased
- Dave Jackson [65]
- Marc Joannette [66]
- Greg Kimmerly [67]
- Swede Knox – Deceased
- Don Koharski [68]
- Tom Kowal [69]
- Bob Langdon [70]
- Dennis LaRue
- Brad Lazarowich [71]
- Mike Leggo [72]
- Alfie LeJeune (September 19, 1945 – October 17, 2012) – Deceased
- Mark Lemelin
- Bryan Lewis [73]
- Dave Lewis
- Bob Luther
- Brian Mach [74]
- Dan Marouelli
- Rob Martell [75]
- Bill McCreary [76]
- John McCauley – Deceased
- Dan McCourt [77]
- Andy McElman [78]
- Michael McGeough – Deceased[79]
- Pat Meehan
- Brad Meier [80]
- Steve Miller [81]
- Randy Mitton
- Denis Morel
- Jean Morin [82]
- Dean Morton [83]
- Brian Murphy [84]
- Bob Myers
- Kory Nagy [85]
- Thor Nelson [86]
- Dave Newell (February 25, 1945 – December 16, 2018) – Deceased[87]
- Mike Noeth 1
- Will Norris
- Tim Nowak
- Conor O'Donnell [88]
- Dan O'Halloran [89]
- Mark Pare
- Dennis Parish
- Baron Parker
Jerry Pateman [90]- Matt Pavelich
- Tim Peel
- Kevin Pollock [91]
- Stephane Provost – Deceased
- Pierre Racicot
- Lance Roberts
- Mike Rodden – Deceased
- Vaughan Rody [92]
Evgeny Romasko [93]- Ian Sandercock
- Troy Sartison
- Ray Scapinello [94]
- Dan Schachte – Deceased[95]
- Jay Sharrers [96]
- Lyle Seitz
- Anthony Sericolo
- Jamie Seward
- Randy Shantz
- Pat Shetler
- Harry David Shewchyk
- Rob Shick [97]
- Sam Sisco
- Art Skov – Deceased
- Cooper Smeaton – Deceased
- Ag Smith – Deceased
- Craig Spada
- Paul Stewart [98]
- Leon Stickle
- Red Storey – Deceased
- Justin St. Pierre [99][100]
- Ted Topping (September 27, 1923 – May 24, 2016) – Deceased
- Richard Trottier
- Frank Udvari
- Andy Van Hellemond
- Don Van Massenhoven [101]
- Mark Vines
Marcus Vinnerborg - Cameron Voss
- Stephen Walkom
- Ian Walsh
- Dean Warren
- Brad Watson
- Ken Wheler
- Mark Wheler [102]
- Ron Wicks – Deceased[103]
- Scott Zelkin
- 1 Noeth was hired to NHL contract at age 20, at that time the youngest referee ever hired by the NHL.
Officials in the Hockey Hall of Fame
edit| Year inducted | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Chaucer Elliott | 
|
| 1961 | Mickey Ion |
|
| 1961 | Cooper Smeaton |
|
| 1962 | Mike Rodden |
|
| 1963 | Bobby Hewitson |
|
| 1964 | Bill Chadwick | 
|
| 1967 | Red Storey |
|
| 1973 | Frank Udvari |
|
| 1981 | John Ashley |
|
| 1987 | Matt Pavelich |
|
| 1988 | George Hayes |
|
| 1991 | Neil Armstrong |
|
| 1993 | John D'Amico |
|
| 1999 | Andy Van Hellemond |
|
| 2008 | Ray Scapinello |
|
| 2014 | Bill McCreary |
|
References
edit- ^ Bartel, Regan (16 September 2021). "Kelowna's Cody Beach a step closer to NHL". AM 1150 (iHeart Radio). Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ "Former SPHL referee Jake Brenk makes NHL debut". Southern Professional Hockey League. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Brassard, Marc (8 April 2010). "Francis Charron, un zèbre gatinois dans la LNH". Ledroit (in French). Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ Lytle, Kevin (9 April 2014). "Colorado State grad makes debut as NHL referee". Coloradoan. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ^ Parker, Jim (7 July 2018). "Tecumseh's Dunning hired by NHL to be a referee in 2018-19". Windsor Star. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ Gauthier, Louis-Simon (17 February 2017). "Éric Furlatt en a fait du chemin". Le Nouvelliste (in French). Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- ^ "BC Hockey Official NHL Debut". BCHockey. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ "Former ECHL Referee Hebert Makes NHL Debut". Our Sports Central. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Harvey-Pinard, Katherine (5 September 2018). "Pierre Lambert: de Saint-Hubert à la grande ligue". Le Courrier du Sud (in French). Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Former Campus Rec referee makes NHL debut". Waterloo Warriors. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Vanstone, Rob (16 February 2022). "Lumsden-born NHL referee Peter MacDougall whistles while he works". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- ^ Craig, Steve (8 July 2017). "Wes McCauley of South Portland is on top of his game as an NHL referee". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ "Maritime referee makes NHL debut in Philadelphia". CTV News Atlantic. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Rice, Steve (16 January 2015). "Nicholson to ref NHL game Saturday". Stratford Beacon Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ "Pochmara brothers earn their officiating stripes". Lake Superior State University. 5 January 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ McKenzie, Bob (12 January 2015). "A special moment this week as Garrett Rank officiates first-ever NHL game". TSN.ca. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ "'Pretty cool life', former Red Deer resident rookie NHL referee Kyle Rehman says". Red Deer Advocate. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ Deen, Aarif (1 October 2021). "Commentary: African-American NHL referee Jordan Samuels-Thomas is looking to break barriers". Mile High Sports. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Sawatzky, Mike (29 March 2017). "Official goes all-in pursuing his NHL dream". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ Gatehouse, Jonathon (4 October 2014). "Graham Skilliter is the ref with the right stripes". Maclean's. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Bendel, Joe (23 September 2016). "Quaker Valley, RMU grad Furman South makes right call on career move". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
- ^ Lale, Brent (4 September 2019). "NHL dream 'officially' comes true for Syvret". CTV News London. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ Halliday, Chris (3 October 2014). "Orangeville man trades financial planning portfolio for NHL referee whistle". orangeville.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Payton, Pat (20 September 2018). "Tyson Baker signs '40-40' professional contract". St. Marys Independent. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ Jackson, Jason (15 November 2016). "Linesman Steve Barton honored before 1000th game for the National Hockey League". The Review. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ DaCosta, Dylan (31 August 2016). "Earning his stripes: Tavistock linesman promoted to the NHL". New Hamburg Independent. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
- ^ Pascal, Randy (12 August 2016). "PASCAL: Brisebois prepares for 18th NHL season". Sudbury Star. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ McNee, Dan (14 June 2017). "Scott Cherrey reflects on first Cup Finals experience". SouthWesternOntario.ca. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Gobis, Peter (16 July 2016). "Mansfield hockey referee Daisy headed to the NHL". The Sun Chronicle. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
- ^ Turcotte, Steve (18 March 2022). "Jonathan Deschamps : réaliser son rêve d'une autre façon". Hockey Le Magazine (in French). Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ Brassard, Marc (4 September 2019). "Julien Fournier reçoit l'appel de la LNH". Le Droit (in French). Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ "Former Nanook Brandon Gawryletz becomes full-time NHL linesman". newsminer.com. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
- ^ Bailey, Jim (26 September 2017). "Trail's Travis Gawryletz gets NHL call". Trail Times. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ "WHL OFFICIAL RYAN GIBBONS RECRUITED BY THE NHL". Western Hockey League. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ McIntyre, Mike (17 September 2021). "The puck drops here". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ Pare, Mark (29 August 2019). "Former Rangers captain hired as NHL referee". Kitchener Today. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ Colgan, Greg (14 August 2014). "NHL linesman and Woodstonian Brad Kovachik was presented with a key to the city". Woodstock Sentinel-Review. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Robertson, Dan (5 February 2018). "IN THE SHOW: MacPherson making his way as NHL linesman". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Officiel dans la LNH : le rêve de Jesse Marquis se réalise". Radio Canada (in French). 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ Tardif, Carl (18 April 2015). "Jonny Murray: en ligne droite vers la LNH". Le Soleil (in French). Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ Cleary, Martin (30 November 2017). "NHL linesman Derek Nansen of Carp has rebounded from a knee injury". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Rachac, Greg (18 April 2010). "Skyview grad's first season in NHL was a whirlwind". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- ^ Brown, Josh (7 September 2017). "Kitchener linesman Andrew Smith off to the NHL". therecord.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Benjamin, Amalie (16 September 2018). "Czech Republic native NHL's first non-North American full-time official". NHL.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
- ^ Engel, Heather (27 August 2022). "NHL linesman Tobias embraces mentoring role at Exposure Combine". NHL.com. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Black, Matthew (4 September 2019). "Former Golden Bear gets NHL shot ... in stripes". CTV News Edmonton. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ Chambers, Mike (18 June 2012). "Don Adam balances careers as hockey referee, police officer". Denver Post. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Shoalts, David (15 June 2012). "NHL referee Stephane Auger retires". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "Bill Beagan". Bobby Orr Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (20 January 2020). "From Colwood to NHL blue lines, Lonnie Cameron saw it all". Times Colonist. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ Fischler, Stan (26 June 2019). "Chadwick unique among referees in NHL history". NHL.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ "B.C.'s 'original' NHL linesman, Jim Christison, dies at 70". Vancouver Sun. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Demers, Phil (20 June 2017). "Veteran Springfield NHL ref Kevin Collins among 2017 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductees". MassLive. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Feldman, Jacob (19 September 2016). "How 6'9" longtime NHL linesman Mike Cvik sustained a 29-year career on the ice". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Botta, Christopher (27 November 2011). "Recovery Doesn't Stop After Injuries Heal". New York Times. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Campbell, Tim (5 February 2017). "Greg Devorski details life as NHL linesman". NHL.com. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ Spector, Mark (2 April 2015). "Ref Devorski on retirement: 'I'm ready to go'". Sportsnet. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Gregory, Shaun (16 November 2015). "NHL official Driscoll calls 1500th game". Huron Expositor. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Gordon, Sean (10 February 2017). "Radio raconteur Ron Fournier rules the French-language sports airwaves". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Bridge, Terry (24 June 2016). "Former NHL referee from Sarnia hasn't slowed down since hanging up his skates". Stratford Beacon Herald. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Bowes, Gord (10 April 2017). "Former NHL referee Bill Friday's name added to Hamilton's Lawfield Arena". Hamilton Mountain News. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "Ryan Galloway | NHL Linesman | NHL Officials Association". NHLOA. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "NHL linesman makes local Hall of Fame". Fort McMurray Today. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Obermeyer, Jasen (9 June 2017). "Former NHL ref discusses career in Hillsburgh, June 3". Orangeville Citizen. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Chambers, Mike (12 January 2018). "Colorado's Dave Jackson is the NHL's sixth referee to work 1,500 games". Denver Post. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ Hébert-Dolbec, Anne-Frédérique (16 October 2015). "Arbitre de la LNH: 1000e match pour Marc Joannette". Journal Métro (in French). Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Hayakawa, Michael (15 April 2016). "Thornhill's Kimmerly putting NHL whistle away for good". Thornhill Liberal. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Chere, Rich (10 April 2009). "Referee Don Koharski, a major figure in New Jersey Devils history, officiates final NHL game". NJ.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Krajewski, Paul (23 January 2017). "High Riverite officiates his 1,000th NHL game". High River Times. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Colgan, Greg (29 December 2015). "Longtime referee Bob Langdon ended his officiating career after years in the National Hockey League, American Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League". Woodstock Sentinel-Review. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ MacIntyre, Iain (27 April 2016). "Iain MacIntyre: End of the line(sman) as Lazarowich ices 30-year NHL career". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Kearsey, Dave (8 April 2017). "Mike Leggo puts whistle away after 21 National Hockey League seasons". The Western Star. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Heck, Alexandra (15 October 2018). "Full circle: Bryan Lewis went from rink rat to NHL referee, now he's running for another term in council". Independent Free Press. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Russo, Michael (29 October 2015). "Little Falls native Brian Mach to officiate 1,000th game in NHL". Star Tribune. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Martin, Melissa (15 January 2016). "It's not all black and white". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- ^ "Referee Bill McCreary: Hockey Hall of Famer". USA Today. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Leeson, Ben (9 June 2015). "It's official – Dan McCourt enters hall". Sudbury Star. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- ^ Defabo, Mike (11 April 2016). "NHL Linesman From Crystal Lake Retires After 1,500 Games". CBS Chicago. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Spector, Mark (24 November 2018). "Mick McGeough was one of NHL's most passionate, colourful referees". Sportsnet. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ Zary, Darren (26 July 2014). "Meier became referee by accident". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Smith, Cory (16 March 2022). "'Millsy was the man': Stratford linesman Steve Miller retires after 21-year NHL career, but other officials will continue his legacy". The Stratford Beacon Herald. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ Martin, Stéphane (21 March 2019). "L'arbitre Jean Morin revient sur sa carrière professionnelle". SorelTracy Magazine (in French). Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ Gardner, Sam (12 May 2015). "One & Done: Referee Dean Morton scored in the only NHL game he played". FOX Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Cronin, Mike (15 March 2019). "Dover native to officiate his 2,000th career NHL game on Saturday". WMUR. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "Nagy becomes NHL official". Simcoe Reformer. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Gerard, Ashton (24 June 2018). "Unforgiving final line change". Minot Daily News. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- ^ "Dave Newell, longtime NHL referee, dead at 73". CBC. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ Milton, Steve (30 November 2018). "Hamilton's Conor O'Donnell goes from taking penalties to calling them". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ Burnside, Scott (31 May 2008). "Determination, and a little fate, lead O'Halloran to hockey's grand stage". ESPN.com. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ Malone, Mark (27 September 2018). "Pateman made all the right calls". Chatham Daily News. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ^ Jackson, Jonathon (28 September 2015). "New hockey refs learn from a pro at Guelph clinic". Guelph Mercury Tribune. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Friesen, Paul (8 December 2017). "Striped homecoming". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Lewis, Scott (10 March 2015). "Russian-born referee Romasko makes NHL debut". Sportsnet. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Molinaro, John F. (7 November 2008). "The man in the striped shirt". CBC. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ Baggot, Andy (20 February 2012). "Andy Baggot: Longtime NHL linesman Schachte joins exclusive club as career winds down". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Zarum, Dave (15 February 2019). "Black History Month: What drove Jay Sharrers to be NHL's best official". Sportsnet. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ McIntyre, Gordon (25 May 2018). "B.C. Hall of Fame: Rob Shick was a right Royal referee for 20-plus NHL seasons". The Province. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ Benjamin, Amalie (9 December 2018). "Stewart, former NHL referee, had unique path to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame". NHL.com. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ Ainsley, Dave (9 March 2019). "L'arbitre Justin St-Pierre en action". Le Quotidien (in French). Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ "NHL Referee Justin St-Pierre Retires Due To Knee Injury". Scouting The Refs. 2024-09-24. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ Fitz-Gerald, Sean (30 October 2014). "20 Questions: Longtime NHL referee Don Van Massenhoven on angry players, thankless jobs and a frightening injury". National Post. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Kanter, Nathan (23 March 2018). "Battleford native Wheler hangs up skates after 26 years as NHL linesman". battlefordsNOW. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ Csillag, Ron (29 April 2016). "NHL referee Ron Wicks witnessed game's highs and lows". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2017.