After 20 years in the league, referee Greg Kimmerly will take his final skate on NHL ice.
The Toronto native will work his last National Hockey League game on Saturday as the Detroit Red Wings visit the Toronto Maple Leafs. The game will be Kimmerly’s 1,138th in the NHL.
He’ll take the ice alongside referee Dean Morton and linesmen Greg Devorski and Scott Driscoll.
Kimmerly made his NHL debut on November 30, 1996, working a 6-2 victory by the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Boston Bruins. Jaromir Jagr – the only player from that game still active in the NHL – picked up a hat trick.
Kimmerly’s worked 14 playoff matches, as well as the 2007 NHL All-Star Game in Dallas with referee Mike Leggo and linesmen Lonnie Cameron and Jay Sharrers. He also suited up for the 2015 Spengler Cup invitational tournament held in Davos, Switzerland.
In addition to working 56 games in the NHL this season, Kimmerly spent some time in the AHL mentoring younger officials. He was paired with officials Dave Lewis, Jon McIsaac, Garrett Rank for two games each.
Kimmerly is the second NHL referee to retire this season. Rob Martell worked his final game in January.
