Hitting The Ice – Whistle In Hand

As in any job and/or position individuals have to retire following a long tenure in a job in which they were so passionate about.

Pro sports (all) are no different, especially in the officiating circles and when any official has had such an illustrious career, it’s tough to “say good-by”, but when it’s over you know it!

This past season saw the NHL reduce the officiating ranks by six all of whom were exceptional working the pro level of the game.

Knowing them on a personal basis, it gave me pleasure to watch them officiate game in and game out at times being abused – verbally by spectators that clearly do not know the rules of the game

The six retiring are Referee’s Greg Kimmerly, Dennis Larue and Rob Martell, while the linesmen are Mike Cvik, Andy McElman and Brad Lazarowich.

The newest additions to the NHL Officiating crew are Referee’s Jon McIsaac, Garrett Rank and Kendrick Nicholson.

These will be joined by linesmen Shandor Alphonso, Devin Berg and Brandon Gawryletz and all six split games last season between the NHL and AHL.

Jon McIsaac (32) officiated through Junior A and B and the QMJHL then joined the CHL.

He calls Truro home and officiated his first game November 21^st, 2013 in Philadelphia where the Flyers hosted the Sabres.

Kendrick Nicholson (34) first worked as a linesman in the 2008 memorial Cup and the 2009 world Under 18 Championships.

He went on to become a referee and officiated as a referee in the 2013 Memorial Cup and the 2014 World Under 18 Championship as well as the 2014 Spengler Cup in Davos.

Garrett Rank also comes from Ontario and a small town called Elmira and has worked the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs and also plays golf, recently making the cut at the RBC Canadian Open.

His first “taste” of NHL action was a game between the Wild and the Sabres and has since gone on to work 77 games; 39 in the NHL and 46 in the AHL.

Shandor Alphonso (32) was a linesman in the OHL and calls Orangeville home and made his officiating debut October 17^th, 2014 which was a thrill for him.

Devin Berg (26) is from Kitchener Ontario and split last season working between the NHL and AHL working 47 in the NHL.

Brandon Gawyrletz (33) calls Trail BC home and has spent the past three seasons in the AHL.

He also worked in the CHL working the Cup finals in both 2013 and 2014.

He is a former defenseman who played for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and joins referee Wes McCauley who attended Michigan State.

His first game was October 14^th, 2015 in the Honda Center where the Ducks hosted the Coyotes.

Congrats to all the recent additions to the NHL and Sportswave Media Productions wish them all the best in their career.