Referee Mike Sullivan Officiates First NHL Game at Flames/Coyotes

Referee Mike Sullivan will make his Nationwide Hockey League officiating debut on Sunday when he takes the ice in Calgary for Flames vs. Arizona Coyotes. 

Sullivan, sporting #47,  will swimsuit up alongside referee Kendrick Nicholson (#30) and linesmen Travis Toomey (#90) and Bevan Mills (#53).  The Officiating Supervisor can be Al Kimmel. 

Sullivan, to not be confused with the Pittsburgh Penguins head coach, was employed by the NHL  previous to the beginning of the season.  He performed faculty hockey at Bowling Inexperienced State College earlier than listening to to Europe. Sullivan spent three seasons in Italy, enjoying within the win2day ICE Hockey League (then referred to as the EBEL) earlier than heading to the U.Ok. to hitch the EIHL’s Dundee Stars for one season. 

“I needed to be a referee for some time now, however I by no means actually knew how one can get began,” Sullivan advised his former workforce, the Dundee Stars.  “[In 2017], I used to be fortunate sufficient to attend the NHL Publicity Mix for potential/potential officers. I cherished the entire expertise and realised that I needed to essentially give officiating a shot.”

Sullivan made his officiating debut in 2019, working video games within the Better Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), together with the American Hockey League – as a referee – and the Ontario Hockey League – as a linesman.  He’s at present in his fifth AHL season, his third as a full-time referee.

“Officiating is unquestionably one thing that I might like to do for the remainder of my life,” Sullivan stated again in 2020.  “To have the ability to be across the sport on a regular basis, and make a fantastic profession out of it, could be a dream. For the time being, I’m simply ensuring that each sport I get within the AHL, OHL, and Minor Hockey, I work arduous and do my greatest to referee a good sport. The sport has given me a lot, and I owe it to the sport to try this.”

From the NHLOA:

Born and raised within the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, Ontario, Mike Sullivan performed hockey throughout the Better Toronto Space till 2011, when he started a collegiate profession at Bowling Inexperienced State College.  After enjoying 4 years for the Falcons, he graduated and joined his older brother in Italy, signing with Asiago within the Italian Skilled Hockey League.

After two seasons in Italy, he started pursuing a profession in officiating by making use of to the 2017 NHL Officiating Beginner Publicity Mix. After a watch opening week on the mix, he returned to Italy for an additional season, the place his workforce gained the Alps Hockey League Championship, and he acquired the esteemed privilege of representing Italy on the 2018 World Championships. That summer season, he attended the 2018 NHL Officiating Mix as soon as once more to proceed to develop as a possible official.

He performed one ultimate season within the UK’s Elite League, the place he performed for the Scottish based mostly Dundee Stars, whereas additionally incomes his Grasp’s Diploma in Enterprise from the College of Dundee.

After as soon as once more attending the 2019 NHL Officiating Mix, he picked up a whistle and started his officiating profession, working 200 youth video games within the Better Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), whereas additionally being a linesperson for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and a Referee for the American Hockey League (AHL). He transitioned to full time Referee within the AHL for the 2021 season, working a full schedule together with the primary two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 2022-23 season was his 4th AHL season, the place he continued to hone his sport by a full season schedule, incomes the glory of working the Calder Cup Convention Finals.  After that season, In June of 2023, his on-ice profession would come full circle, as he could be supplied a minor league referee NHL contract in his hometown of Toronto.

Sullivan is the fourth and ultimate referee to make his Nationwide Hockey League debut this month.  Referee Graedy Hamilton took the ice for the primary time within the NHL at Coyotes vs. Sharks, adopted by Stephen Hiff at Sharks vs. Kraken, and Riley Brace at Canadiens vs. Senators.  All 4 had been employed previous to the 2023-24 season.

UPDATE:  Sully acquired a barn-burner for his first sport within the present because the Flames gained 6-5.  Right here’s the opening draw and some officiating highlights… 

Congratulations to Mike Sullivan on the beginning of his Nationwide Hockey League officiating profession!