One more lap for Hasty…
Long-time OHL linesman Kevin Hastings will work his final game in the Ontario Hockey League on Saturday when the London Knights host the Guelph Storm.
Hastings wrapped up his 23rd season in the OHL last year. He reached the 1000-game milestone in 2022, becoming just the third OHL official to hit that mark, alongside fellow linesmen Jim Carman and Ken Cox.
He’s racked up an impressive resume, having worked four Memorial Cups, twelve OHL Championship Finals, two OHL All Star games, over 200 OHL playoff games, and an NHL Top Prospects game. He was also awarded the OHL’s Ken Bodendistel Character Award for Officials in 2018.
The veteran official also spent over 20 years in the American Hockey League, officiating his final game in February. Hastings was named the 2016-17 winner of the AHL’s Michael Condon Memorial Award.
Congratulations to Kevin Hastings who worked his final game tonight in Toronto after serving 20+ years as a linesperson in the American Hockey League. #StickTaps pic.twitter.com/kcUVTMaIWd
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) February 19, 2023
Once he hangs up his skates, Hastings isn’t going far. He’ll be heading upstairs to remain with the OHL as an Officiating Manager under Conrad Haché. All those years of experience and lessons learned will be leveraged to help train and educate the next generation of officials.
“Work hard,” Hastings advised after working his 1000th game. “Skate like it’s your last game and enjoy the ride.”
Congratulations to Kevin Hastings on an amazing career in stripes. He’ll be joining us to talk about it on an upcoming episode of the Scouting the Refs Podcast. Keep an ear out…
Here’s a look back at Hastings worked his 1000th game in the Ontario Hockey League:
