Before the Stanley Cup playoffs, a list of forty on-ice officials are named to work: Twenty referees and twenty linesmen. They are paired up in each round, traveling and working together between the series. Usually, they are never assigned to work two games between two teams they have already seen. This does not apply if a series reaches seven games, or at any point in time beginning in the third round. If a game seven is reached, those who have been assigned to work in the next round will call the series-deciding game. If at any time a referee or linesman is injured or unable to work, there is a standby official; he is there in the event that one of the officials cannot continue in the game.
Throughout the playoffs, the list of officials is minimized.
During the second round, twenty-four officials (twelve referees and twelve linesmen) work games. During the third round, sixteen officials (eight referees and eight linesmen) work games.
In the final round of cuts, the list is reduced to ten officials: Five referees and five linesmen. They are named as Stanley Cup Finals officials. They are no longer in pairs; they will rotate so that all officials are involved in the series. If the Stanley Cup Final reaches a game seven, the top two referees and two linesmen will be assigned to officiate the game.
2022―present 2023 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Steve Kozari Wes McCauley Dan O'Rourke Chris Rooney Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen Steve Barton Scott Cherrey Brad Kovachik Kiel Murchison Jonny Murray
2022 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Gord Dwyer Jean Hebert Wes McCauley Chris Rooney Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen Steve Barton Ryan Daisy Brad Kovachik Kiel Murchison Jonny Murray
2021 In 2021, the NHL broke teams up into new divisions: Three in the United States, and one in Canada. The referees and linesmen were semi-restricted from crossing the border throughout the regular season, only being allowed to move between the two countries either when they were re-assigned to work games, or when the semifinals began (and including the final).
Referees Francis Charron Gord Dwyer Eric Furlatt Dan O'Rourke Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen David Brisebois Scott Cherrey Michel Cormier Kiel Murchison Jonny Murray
2020 In 2020, the playoffs looked a little different. Referees and linesmen were placed in two separate bubbles for the qualifier round and the first two rounds (Toronto for the Eastern Conference and Edmonton for the Western Conference). The sixteen remaining officials would come together in Edmonton when there were four teams remaining in the playoffs.
As part of the NHLOA's recent collective bargaining agreement, 2020 was the first year they would name five referees and five linesmen to the Cup Final. Next to each official is the bubble in which they started the playoffs in.
Referees Francis Charron (Toronto) Steve Kozari (Edmonton) Wes McCauley (Toronto) Dan O'Rourke (Edmonton) Kelly Sutherland (Edmonton)
Linesmen Derek Amell (Toronto) Steve Barton (Toronto) Scott Cherrey (Edmonton) Brad Kovachik (Edmonton) Matt MacPherson (Toronto)
2019 Before the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, the NHL assigned five referees and four linesmen to the series: Something they hadn't done since 2001. This was done, possibly because one of the referees (Wes McCauley) had sustained a leg injury during game six of the Western Conference Final and left the game. Even though he was named to work the Finals, he did not work in the seven-game series.
Referees Gord Dwyer Steve Kozari Wes McCauley Chris Rooney Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen Derek Amell Scott Cherrey Greg Devorski Pierre Racicot
2002-2018 Beginning with the 2002 Stanley Cup Final, the NHL assigned two referees and two linesmen for each game. A total of eight on-ice officials are named: Four referees and four linesmen.
2018 Stanley Cup Final Source:
Referees Marc Joannette Wes McCauley Chris Rooney Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen Derek Amell Greg Devorski Matt MacPherson Jonny Murray
2017 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Wes McCauley Brad Meier Dan O'Halloran Kevin Pollock
Linesmen Scott Cherrey Shane Heyer Brad Kovachik Brian Murphy
2016 Stanley Cup Final Source:
Referees Wes McCauley Dan O'Halloran Dan O'Rourke Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen Derek Amell Brian Murphy Jonny Murray Pierre Racicot
2015 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Wes McCauley Dan O'Halloran Kevin Pollock Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen Derek Amell Shane Heyer Brian Murphy Pierre Racicot
2014 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Wes McCauley Steve Kozari Dan O'Halloran Brad Watson
Linesmen Derek Amell Scott Driscoll Shane Heyer Brad Kovachik
2013 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Wes McCauley Dan O'Halloran Chris Rooney Brad Watson
Linesmen Shane Heyer Brian Murphy Pierre Racicot Jay Sharrers
2012 Stanley Cup Final Source:
Referees Dan O'Halloran Dan O'Rourke Chris Rooney Brad Watson
Linesmen Derek Amell Jean Morin Jonny Murray Pierre Racicot
2011 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Dan O'Halloran Dan O'Rourke Kelly Sutherland Stephen Walkom
Linesmen Steve Miller Jean Morin Pierre Racicot Jay Sharrers
2010 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Bill McCreary Dan O'Halloran Kelly Sutherland Stephen Walkom
Linesmen Greg Devorski Steve Miller Jean Morin Pierre Racicot
2009 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Paul Devorski Marc Joannette Dennis LaRue Bill McCreary
Linesmen Derek Amell Steve Miller Jean Morin Pierre Racicot
2008 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Paul Devorski Marc Joannette Dan O'Halloran Brad Watson
Linesmen Shane Heyer Jean Morin Pierre Racicot Jay Sharrers
2007 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Paul Devorski Bill McCreary Dan O'Halloran Brad Watson
Linesmen Scott Driscoll Shane Heyer Jean Morin Jay Sharrers
2006 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Paul Devorski Bill McCreary Michael McGeough Brad Watson
Linesmen Greg Devorski Jean Morin Pierre Racicot Jay Sharrers
2004 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Kerry Fraser Bill McCreary Stephen Walkom Brad Watson
Linesmen Scott Driscoll Brian Murphy Ray Scapinello Mark Wheler
2003 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Paul Devorski Dan Marouelli Bill McCreary Brad Watson
Linesmen Brad Lazarowich Brian Murphy Tim Nowak Mark Wheler
2002 Stanley Cup Finals
Referees Paul Devorski Don Koharski Bill McCreary Stephen Walkom
Linesmen Brad Lazarowich Jean Morin Brian Murphy Dan Schachte
1999-2001 Between the 1999 and 2001 playoff seasons, the National Hockey League implemented a two referee, two linesman system. Five referees and four linesmen were named to work in the finals.
2001 Stanley Cup Finals
Referees Paul Devorski Kerry Fraser Dan Marouelli Bill McCreary Rob Shick
Linesmen Kevin Collins Brad Lazarowich Dan Schachte Mark Wheler
2000 Stanley Cup Final
Referees Kerry Fraser Terry Gregson Don Koharski Dan Marouelli Bill McCreary
Linesmen Gord Broseker Ray Scapinello Dan Schachte Jay Sharrers
1999 Stanley Cup Finals
Referees Kerry Fraser Terry Gregson Don Koharski Dan Marouelli Bill McCreary
Linesmen Gord Broseker Kevin Collins Ray Scapinello Jay Sharrers
1979-1998 The National Hockey League used a single referee for each playoff game, with a rotation of three referees for the series. The referee with the highest regular-season performance rating was assigned games one, four, and seven; the second-highest rated referee was assigned games two and five; and the third-highest rated referee was assigned games three and six.
1998 Terry Gregson Don Koharski Bill McCreary 1994 Terry Gregson Bill McCreary Andy Van Hellemond 1990 Kerry Fraser Don Koharski Andy Van Hellemond 1986 Kerry Fraser Don Koharski Andy Van Hellemond 1982 Wally Harris Andy Van Hellemond Ron Wicks
1997 Kerry Fraser Terry Gregson Bill McCreary 1993 Kerry Fraser Terry Gregson Andy Van Hellemond 1989 Kerry Fraser Denis Morel Andy Van Hellemond 1985 Kerry Fraser Bryan Lewis Andy Van Hellemond 1981 Bryan Lewis Dave Newell Andy Van Hellemond
1996 Don Koharski Bill McCreary Andy Van Hellemond 1992 Terry Gregson Don Koharski Andy Van Hellemond 1988 Don Koharski Denis Morel Andy Van Hellemond 1984 Bryan Lewis Dave Newell Andy Van Hellemond 1980 Wally Harris Bob Myers Andy Van Hellemond
1995 Kerry Fraser Terry Gregson Bill McCreary 1991 Kerry Fraser Don Koharski Andy Van Hellemond 1987 Don Koharski Dave Newell Andy Van Hellemond 1983 Wally Harris Bryan Lewis Andy Van Hellemond 1979 Bob Myers Dave Newell Andy Van Hellemond
See also
References