Hastings prepares for 1,254th and final OHL assignment
23-year OHL officiating veteran Kevin Hastings is lacing up his skates one last time, as he reflects back on his experience wearing the stripes ahead of Saturday night’s matchup in London between the Knights and the Guelph Storm.
Entering his 1,254th game as a linesman in the Ontario Hockey League, Kevin first began his officiating journey in 1999 after retiring from his playing career.
“After I retired from playing in the minors, I was playing in the Central Academy but was struggling with some serious concussion issues. I knew I wanted to stay in hockey, so when I came home a gentleman gave me the opportunity to be an official. From there, I got into the OHA and then the OHL hired me that following summer.”
“I just wanted the team aspect of it. Being in a group atmosphere, working together as a team, and having a final goal. Having fun and working hard, that’s what interested me the most.”
"It's been an enjoyable ride, and I wouldn't trade anything in the world for it."
The third official to join the #OHL's 1000 game club, Kevin Hastings discussed the milestone with @seanfurfaro of @Rogerstv20.
WATCH 🎥: https://t.co/jJTAj0Uvtx pic.twitter.com/0KmxBRHYOe
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 18, 2022
Skating in his 1,000th career regular season game in January 2022, Hastings became only the third OHL official to ever reach the rare milestone. In addition, the Kitchener, Ont. native has also worked 448 games in the American Hockey League (AHL), and 26 in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
“Anyone who knows me knows that it’s always a priority to have fun, no matter what you’re doing. Being able to officiate so many games in the OHL, as well as my 22 years in the American Hockey League, has been such a highlight for me.”
When looking back on his time in the League, Hastings reminisces on the relationships he’s built with those who came before and after him, and how it’s shaped his career throughout the last two decades.
“The last 10 years of my career have been extremely enjoyable working with a lot of the young officials. The most gratifying thing for me was seeing all of those guys move on to the next stage in their careers. Being able to watch them move on and chase their dreams into the NHL, it felt good.”
“What I learned from those before me, Ken Cox and Jim Carman, who were mentors of mine, taught me the right way from the start. If I could take what I learned from them and pass it on to the young guys, for me that was a big part of the job.”
From Championship Series, All-Star games, Top Prospect Games, Memorial Cups, and more, Hastings reflects on his favourite moments over the years.
“Working the Memorial Cup final in Kitchener back in 2008 was an amazing, fun moment. My 1000th game was great too, being able to share that honour with only two other officials whom I’ve looked up to was a proud moment for me.”
Set to become the third official in League history to skate in his 1000th game tonight in Kitchener, Kevin Hastings took the opportunity to reflect on his 22-year #OHL career.
WATCH 🎥: https://t.co/4kLlLar9Fm pic.twitter.com/vWXThDXIog
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 16, 2022
In 2018, Kevin was awarded the Ken Bodendistel Character Award for Officials, an honour he found especially humbling, as Ken Bodendistel was one of Kevin’s esteemed mentors.
“Earning the Bodie is probably the telltale and the most touching part for me. Ken was a massive part of my career. When I first got into the League, Kenny took a huge liking to me. We lost him way too early, I still get chills knowing that I won the award in his honour. I was fortunate enough to win the AHL’s Mike Condon Memorial award the year prior as well, but to win the Bodie is a moment I will never forget given our friendship and everything that he meant to me.”
As Hastings prepares to skate his final game on Saturday, he can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude towards those that gave him a chance to live out a dream all those years ago.
“Team work has always been everything to me, all my fellow mentors and peers. I couldn’t have had this success without my fellow officials, you can’t do it on your own. I’d also like to thank former OHL Vice-President Ted Baker, and OHL Commissioner Mr. Branch for taking a chance on me and hiring me with such little experience as an ex-player. They were unbelievable to me, and without them I wouldn’t have been able to have this amazing life experience with the Ontario Hockey League.”
The Ontario Hockey League congratulates Kevin on his officiating career, and welcomes him in his new role as OHL Officiating Manager!
