And then there were twelve…
The NHL has announced the twelve referees and twelve linesmen – down from 20 of each in the opening round – moving on to the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Referees
Francis Charron, Gord Dwyer, Eric Furlatt, Marc Joannette, Wes McCauley, Brad Meier, Dan O’Halloran, Kevin Pollock, Chris Rooney, Francois St. Laurent, Kelly Sutherland, and Brad Watson.
Out from Round 1: Trevor Hanson, Jean Hebert, Steve Kozari, Dan O’Rourke, Tim Peel, Brian Pochmara, Kyle Rehman, and Ian Walsh
Dwyer and Furlatt are back in Round 2; both worked the Conference Final in 2016 but only handled the opening round last season. This will be Watson’s final playoff run, as the veteran official is slated to retire at the end of next season.
Standby referees for the second round are Trevor Hanson and Jean Hebert.
Linesmen
Derek Amell, Devin Berg, David Brisebois, Scott Cherrey, Michel Cormier, Greg Devorski, Ryan Gibbons, Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson, Brian Murphy, Jonny Murray, and Mark Shewchyk.
Out from Round 1: Steve Barton, Darren Gibbs, Trent Knorr, Steve Miller, Kiel Murchison, Derek Nansen, Pierre Racicot, and Tony Sericolo.
Berg, in just his second season as a full-time NHL linesman, has reached the second round; this is his first time in the postseason. Gibbons is also in the second round for the first time. Brisebois, in his eighth year in the playoffs, is also moving past the opening round for the first time.
Standby linesmen for the second round are Trent Knorr and Kiel Murchison.
Congratulations to the 24 officials moving on to Round 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs!
