List of NHL on-ice officials

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Officials, from left to right: Michel Cormier (linesman), Eric Furlatt (referee), Don Koharski (referee), and Scott Driscoll (linesman) stand at centre ice for the national anthem before a game in Madison Square Garden between the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. NHL officials at MSG.jpg
Officials, from left to right: Michel Cormier (linesman), Eric Furlatt (referee), Don Koharski (referee), and Scott Driscoll (linesman) stand at centre ice for the national anthem before a game in Madison Square Garden between the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers.

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.

Contents

All NHL on-ice officials are members of the National Hockey League Officials Association (NHLOA), a labour union founded in 1969. The NHLOA represents its members in matters dealing with working conditions of on-ice officials and acts as their collective bargaining agent.

Current officials

Notes:

Former NHL officials

Officials in the Hockey Hall of Fame

Year inductedNameNationality
1961Chaucer Elliott Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1961Mickey Ion Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1961Cooper Smeaton Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1962Mike Rodden Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1963Bobby Hewitson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1964Bill Chadwick Flag of the United States.svg
1967Red Storey Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1973Frank Udvari Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1981John Ashley Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1987Matt Pavelich Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1988George Hayes Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1991Neil Armstrong Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1993John D'Amico Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
1999Andy Van Hellemond Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
2008Ray Scapinello Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
2014Bill McCreary Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg

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