CHL Officials Debut in National Hockey League
January 22, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
GLENDALE, AZ (January 22, 2013) - The Central Hockey League is proud to announce that two former full-time on-ice officials have or are set to work their National Hockey League debuts this week. Referee Mark Lemelin and linesman John Grandt have been scheduled to work NHL games during the League's opening week of the season.
"We at the Central Hockey League are extremely proud of and happy for both John (Grandt) and Mark (Lemelin) and wish them both all the best in their NHL Officiating careers," said Jim Wiley, CHL Director of Hockey Operations. "The Central Hockey League has been and continues to be fortunate in having years of professional experience on our officiating supervisory staff all of which have had a positive effect on these two officials."
Grandt will work the Colorado Avalanche/Los Angeles Kings game on Tuesday night in his first NHL regular season contest. The Colorado native will be working his first game in his home state with more than 50 friends and family members expected to attend. Grandt made the jump at a rapid pace working in the CHL just last season before advancing up to work the American Hockey League Finals and subsequently signing an NHL contract this past summer.
"The past three seasons in the CHL have played a major role in my development as an official," said Grandt. "I am very appreciative of the work that the CHL supervisory team does with their officials and preparing them for the next level of professional hockey."
Lemelin made his NHL debut on Monday in the New York Islanders/Tampa Bay Lightning game. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native worked in the CHL as a full-time referee for three seasons (2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09).
Other former CHL officials working in the NHL include referees Frederick L'Ecuyer (worked the Los Angeles/Chicago game on Saturday) and Gord Dwyer (worked the Winnipeg/Ottawa game on Saturday) and linesman David Brisebois. Jon McIsaac is also under NHL contract and has worked in the AHL for the majority of this season (signed with the NHL this past off-season).
Central Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2013
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- Blaze Four-Game Winning Streak Ends - Bloomington Blaze
- Arizona's Adam Russo Named Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week - CHL
- CHL Officials Debut in National Hockey League - CHL
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- Russo Named Oakley's CHL Goaltender of the Week - Arizona Sundogs
- Cutthroats Join Former NHL Players in Fight Against Cancer - Denver Cutthroats
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