Newly-hired linesperson Chris Martenet makes his NHL debut on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when the Utah Mammoth visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Martenet will take the ice wearing #78 alongside fellow linesperson Shandor Alphonso (#52), with referees Kendrick Nicholson (#30) and T.J. Luxmore (#21).
The Indianapolis native, 29, just wrapped up a long pro playing career – and he didn’t waste any time finding his second act in hockey.
The 6-foot-7 defenseman was drafted 103rd overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, ahead of Conor Garland (#123), Kirill Kaprizov (#135), Valdislav Gavrikov (#159), Andrew Mangipane (#166), and Mason Appleton (#168). He won the USHL’s 2014 Clark Cup with the Indiana Ice, then starred as part of the London Knights club that swept the OHL Cup, the Robertson Cup, and the 2016 Memorial Cup – playing alongside teammates Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk, Evan Bouchard, and Robert Thomas.
He went on to play professionally in the AHL and ECHL, as well as in the Czech Extraliga and the EIHL. After concluding his playing career in 2025, Martenet transitioned into officiating, working the lines in the OHL and AHL last season.
From the NHLOA:
Drawing on more than a decade of experience as a professional player, Martenet brings a strong understanding of the game, professional-level experience and a player’s perspective to his work on the ice.
The former blueliner – drafted by Dallas, now working the bluelines for the NHL – is one of three former OHL players to earn NHL officiating contracts this season, alongside Hayden Verbeek and Nick Isaacson.
OHL Director of Officiating Conrad Haché:
“To have three former OHL players earn NHL officiating contracts is an outstanding accomplishment for Nick, Hayden and Chris, and a proud moment for our program. They understood the game at a high level as players and have put in an incredible amount of work to learn a completely different side of it as officials. Their progression shows there is another meaningful path in hockey after a playing career ends, and we’re proud that the OHL could play a role in preparing all three for this opportunity.”
Congratulations to Chris Martenet on the start of his National Hockey League officiating career!
