We’re down to four teams, which means we’re also down to eight officials. The NHL has made their cuts to the playoff officiating lineup. Here’s who’s moved on to the 2022 Stanley Cup Conference Finals, featuring the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers in the east and the Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche out west.
Referees
Gord Dwyer, Eric Furlatt, Jean Hebert, Frederick L’Ecuyer, Wes McCauley, Dan O’Rourke, Chris Rooney, and Kelly Sutherland
Out from Round 2: Steve Kozari, Chris Lee, Jon McIsaac, Francois St. Laurent
Linesmen
Steve Barton, Devin Berg, Ryan Daisy, Ryan Gibbons, Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson, Kiel Murchison, and Jonny Murray
Out from Round 2: David Brisebois, Scott Cherrey, Bryan Pancich, Mark Shewchyk.
That’s an extra $27,000 per referee and $17,250 per linesman who’s moving on.
Who’s Been Cut?
Chris Lee and Steve Kozari, paired up throughout the second round, have both been eliminated. The duo worked BOS/CAR Game 7 in Round 1 before moving on to STL/COL Game 1, EDM/CGY Game 2, FLA/TBL Game 4, and NYR/CAR Game 5 in Round 2.
McIsaac was working alongside Kelly Sutherland, while St. Laurent was partnered up with Gord Dwyer.
Only Kozari has Stanley Cup Final experience, working the championship in 2014 (NYR/LAK), 2019 (STL/BOS) and 2020 (TBL/DAL).
On the lines, the pairing of Cherrey and Pancich won’t be moving on after working STL/COL Game 1, STL/COL Game 3, FLA/TBL Game 4, and CGY/EDM Game 5. David Brisebois and Mark Shewchyk being sidelined means that their officiating partners – Matt MacPherson and Kiel Murchison, respectively – will be working with new linemates.
Cherrey and Brisebois both worked the 2021 Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Lineup Changes
It looks like the NHL is shaking up the Round 2 pairings of Dwyer/Hebert, O’Rourke/L’Ecuyer, and McCauley/Furlatt. Gord Dwyer is set to hit the ice with referee Kelly Sutherland for Game 1 of Oilers/Avalanche.
Referee Frederick L’Ecuyer is making his first trip to the Conference Finals, as are linesman Ryan Daisy and Devin Berg.
Rooney and Daisy are the only American-born officials working the Conference Finals; the remaining stripes hail from Canada.
As in previous seasons, the league will cut down on the pool of officials after each round of the playoffs. Only five referees and five linesmen will move on to the Stanley Cup Final.
How much do NHL referees and linesmen get paid for working the playoffs?
Look back on the officials from Round 2:
NHL Referees and Linesmen for Round 2 of 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs
