The Ontario Hockey League continues to play an important role in developing officials for professional hockey, with 27 OHL officiating alumni under NHL contracts for the 2026-27 season. The group includes 13 referees and 14 linespersons, with 20 working on the NHL’s full-time officiating roster and seven serving as NHL-contracted minor league officials.

The Ontario Hockey League’s longstanding commitment to officiating development is reflected in the NHL’s officiating ranks this season, with 27 former OHL officials represented across the league’s full-time and minor league officiating rosters.

The group accounts for more than 30 percent of the NHL’s 70 full-time officials, with eight referees and 12 linespersons having previously worked in the OHL. An additional five referees and two linespersons with OHL experience hold NHL minor league contracts, splitting assignments between the NHL and American Hockey League.

Among the OHL graduates working as NHL referees are Garrett Rank, Kendrick Nicholson, Corey Syvret, TJ Luxmore and Mitch Dunning. The linesperson ranks include experienced officials David Brisebois, Mark Shewchyk, Scott Cherrey and Shandor Alphonso, alongside a number of other OHL alumni who have established careers at the professional level.

The League’s officiating pathway has also provided opportunities for former OHL players to remain involved in the game. Carter Sandlak, Corey Syvret, Tommy Hughes and Chris Martenet are among those who transitioned from playing careers into officiating.

Three former OHL players took another step in their officiating careers earlier this year, as Nick Isaacson, Hayden Verbeek and Martenet earned NHL minor league officiating contracts ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Their advancement highlights the opportunities available to former players through the OHL’s officiating development program, which provides experience and mentorship as officials progress through the junior hockey ranks.

“Having 27 officials with OHL experience under NHL contracts speaks to the quality of people coming through our officiating program and the work that goes into their development,” said Conrad Haché, OHL Director of Officiating. “We’re proud to see so many of our graduates working at the highest level, whether they’ve established long careers in the NHL or are just beginning that next chapter. It’s also encouraging for the officials currently working in our league to see where their commitment and hard work can take them.”

The OHL continues to invest in identifying and developing officials through its regular-season assignments, ongoing evaluation and development initiatives, helping prepare candidates for opportunities at higher levels of the game.

With more than a quarter of the NHL Officials Association’s 84 contracted officials having previously worked in the OHL, the League’s influence on professional hockey extends well beyond the players and coaches who advance to the NHL.

The 27 OHL graduates include officials at various stages of their professional careers, from first-year NHL-contracted officials Nick Isaacson, Hayden Verbeek and Chris Martenet to veteran linespersons David Brisebois, Mark Shewchyk and Scott Cherrey, who have a combined 72 years of NHL experience according to the NHLOA.

OHL alumni on the 2026-27 NHL officiating roster

Referees (13)

Linespersons (14)

* Denotes an NHL-contracted minor league official who splits assignments between the NHL and AHL.