The QMJHL has appointed retired NHL referee Ghislain Hébert as the league’s new Director of Officiating. Hébert steps in to fill the shoes of Richard Trottier, who held the role for the past 16 years.
“I accept the role of Director of Officiating of the QMJHL with great pride and humility,” said Hébert. “The QMJHL holds a special place in my career, and I am determined to give back by contributing to the development, guidance, and excellence of our officials. My goal is to continue the tradition of integrity, professionalism, and rigor that defines our league, while helping prepare the next generation to reach the highest levels of officiating. I am honored to return to this great family and excited to share my professional experience with all stakeholders as we continue to elevate the standard of officiating in the QMJHL.”
Hébert, from Bathurst, New Brunswick, worked in the NHL for 17 seasons, working 1,005 regular season games. He made his NHL debut on February 3, 2009, skating alongside referee Paul Devorski and linesmen Brian Murphy and Pierre Racicot. His final NHL game came on April 6, 2025 in a 4-0 Ottawa Senators win over the Columbus Blue Jackets; officials working with Hébert for his finale were fellow referee Frederick L’Ecuyer and lineys Brian Pancich and Bevan Mills.
After retiring from the NHL, Hebert headed to Europe to wear the stripes last season in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
“With his résumé, it was clear to us that Ghislain Hébert was the ideal candidate for this role,” said Éric Chouinard, QMJHL Vice President of Hockey Operations. “His experience will strengthen our team, and his expertise will be a tremendous asset to both our officials and the league as a whole.”
He previously spent seven seasons as an official in the QMJHL – four on the lines and three as a referee. Hébert went on to officiate in the ECHL and AHL before joining the National Hockey League.
From the NHLOA:
While playing his hockey for the Beresford minor association, he was introduced to officiating at the young age of 12 years old when one of his teammates asked him to participate in an officiating clinic.
His career started to blossom when he later joined the Greater Moncton Officiating Association. He also attended the University of Moncton where he completed his degree in Kinesiology. With additions of new franchises in the Maritime division of the QMJHL, Ghislain had a chance to try out as a linesman.
He worked his craft on lines for three more seasons when former Referee-in-chief, Sylvain Bibeau, asked him to make the transition to refereeing. Hebert also worked his way up the Hockey Canada ladder and obtained his Level 6 in 2003. He was giving the chance to work nationals and internationals events under the Hockey Canada umbrella such as the CIS National Championship, World University Cup and Spengler Cup.
During his last season in the QMJHL, he was extended an invitation to work a flurry of games in the defunct Central Hockey League. In 2007, Hebert relocated to Pennsylvania where he debuted his full-time minor pro career as a Referee in the ECHL. He maned the stripes in the Kelly Cup Finals that year. He also had his debut in the American Hockey League during his rookie season in the ECHL.
The following season, Hebert got promoted by Director of Officiating, Steven Walkom to a minor league contract with the NHL where he worked the Calder Cup Finals in 2011. He joined the NHL as a full-time official the following summer.
“We are very pleased to welcome Ghislain to our team,” said QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini. “Hockey continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and he will help ensure our league benefits from those changes. His communication skills will be appreciated by all stakeholders.”
Congratulations to Ghislain Hébert and all the best in his ne role as Director of Officiating for the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
