We’re down to the final four teams of the Stanley Cup Playoffs — and the final 16 officials. Here are the NHL Referees and Linespersons working the Conference Finals: 

 

Referees

Eric Furlatt, Jean Hebert, Steve Kozari, Dan O’Rourke, Garrett Rank, Chris Rooney, Francois St. Laurent, and Kelly Sutherland. 

Out from Round 2: Francis Charron, Wes McCauley, Kyle Rehman, Graham Skilliter. Referee Frederick L’Ecuyer filled in for McCauley in the second round; he will also not advance.

First-Timers: Garrett Rank, who advances to the Conference Finals for the first time.

Much like teams, the NHL officials value playoff experience — six of the eight advancing referees have worked a Stanley Cup Final.  Only Garrett Rank and Francois St. Laurent have yet to work a Cup Final.

Referee Wes McCauley made the cut for Round 2, but never worked a game after Golden Knights/Stars Game 7 in the opening round, prompting suspicion that he was dealing with an injury. If so, it’s apparent the league doesn’t expect him to be able to return soon, and opted to leave him on the sidelines. McCauley has reached the Conference Finals for 12 straight seasons, including 10 trips to the Stanley Cup Final — missing 2021 due to injury.

Three of the second-round pairings (O’Rourke/St. Laurent, Rank/Hebert, and Furlatt/Sutherland) had both officials move on; we’ll wait to see if those duos remain intact. Kozari and Rooney will both get new partners.  

 

Linespersons

Shandor Alphonso, Steve Barton, Devin Berg, Scott Cherrey, Ryan Daisy, Ryan Gibbons, Matt MacPherson, and Jonny Murray

Out from Round 2: Brandon Gawryletz, Jesse Marquis, Kiel Murchison, James Tobias

First-Timers: Shandor Alphonso and Devin Berg are officiating their first Conference Finals.  

 

Playoff Salaries

Officials get paid per round in the postseason, with referees earning $27,000 and linesmen $17,250.  Standby referees earn $1000 for being on call, with an increase to $2,750 if they get into the game; linesmen pick up a $650 check which bumps to $1,775 if they take the ice. 

 

As in previous seasons, the league will continue to cut down on the pool of officials after each round of the playoffs.