The National Hockey League has announced the referees and linesmen who will work the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two officials are making their postseason debuts, while a handful of veteran officials will be sidelined this postseason.
Referee Jean Hebert makes his postseason debut
Referees:
Francis Charron, Gord Dwyer, Eric Furlatt, Jean Hebert, Dave Jackson, Marc Joannette, Steve Kozari, Frederick L’Ecuyer, Chris Lee, Wes McCauley, Brad Meier, Dan O’Halloran, Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kevin Pollock, Chris Rooney, Francois St. Laurent, Justin St. Pierre, Kelly Sutherland, and Brad Watson. Standby referees are Ghislain Hebert and Mike Leggo.
Linesmen:
Derek Amell, Steve Barton, David Brisebois, Scott Cherrey, Michel Cormier, Greg Devorski, Scott Driscoll, Ryan Galloway, Darren Gibbs, Shane Heyer, Brad Kovachik, Steve Miller, Kiel Murchison, Brian Murphy, Derek Nansen, Tim Nowak, Brian Pancich, Pierre Racicot, Jay Sharrers, and Mark Shewchyk. Standby linesmen for the first round are Brian Mach and Matt MacPherson.
First-Timers
Referee Jean Hebert is making his Stanley Cup Playoff debut. Hebert has worked 170 NHL games, having made his NHL debut in March 2011. Frederick L’Ecuyer, who worked his first of 402 career games in 2007, also makes his first playoff appearance. Linesman Kiel Murchison, who joined the league in 2013, is the youngest official working the postseason.
Who’s Missing?
Referees Dean Morton and Tim Peel both suited up for the playoffs last year; both have been left off the postseason roster. Other full-time referees who missed the cut include Greg Kimmerly, Tom Kowal, Rob Martell, Dean Morton, Tim Peel, Kyle Rehman, and Ian Walsh. Referee Graham Skilliter, in his first full season as an NHL referee, was also not included despite a solid rookie year.
Some of the NHL’s longest-tenured linesmen will be sidelined this spring, as Lonnie Cameron, Mike Cvik, Don Henderson, Brad Lazarowich, Andy McElman, and Mark Wheler have been left off the playoff lineup. They’re joined by linesmen John Grandt, Trent Knorr, and Vaughan Rody.
Referee Paul Devorski and linesman Jean Morin will also be absent from the playoffs. Both retired from the league at the end of the regular season.
