Retired NHL referee Tom Kowal will enter the BC Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. 

Kowal will be inducted later this year alongside former NHLers Shea Weber and Carey Price, Boston Bruins senior advisor Scott Bradley, and the 2010 Fort St. John Flyers.  The induction ceremonly is slated for July 19 

From the BCCHOF:

Kowal officiated minor and amateur hockey while growing up in Vernon. After officiating in amateur and Junior hockey, including the Western Hockey League and a Memorial Cup, Kowal was hired by the NHL as a referee in 1998 and officiated until the 2017-18 season having worked 1,094 regular season NHL games and 12 Stanley Cup playoff games.

After retiring from the NHL, Kowal joined the WHL Officiating Development staff in 2018 and is currently the WHL Officiating Development Coach, based out of High River, Alta. 

 

“The B.C. hockey community has become very deep and rich so we have another wonderfully deserving class,” said B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame chair Jim Hughson. “Our inductees are from Sicamous, Anahim Lake, Abbotsford, Vernon and Fort St. John. Truly a provincial group and some fantastic stories of great contributions to the game.”  

Kowal joins seven officials already in the BC Hockey Hall of Fame:

  • Lonnie Cameron, NHL Linesman (1996-2019) – inducted 2023
  • Jay Sharrers, NHL Referee/Linesman (1990-2017), NHL Officiating Manager – inducted 2020
  • Shane Heyer, NHL Refere/Linesman (1988-2018), NHL Officiating Manager – inducted 2019
  • Brad Lazarowich, NHL Linesman (1986-2016), BCHL VP of Hockey Ops – inducted 2017
  • Rob Shick, NHL Referee (1986-2009), NHL Officiating Manager – inducted 2011
  • Bob Hall, NHL Referee (1979-1989), NHL Officiating Manager – inducted 2007
  • Lloyd Gilmour, NHL Referee (1957-1976) – inducted 1999