Saying that Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is among the biggest games in NHL history is not hyperbole. Being one of the four officials selected to referee this game is an honor, and some of their anecdotes may serve as motivation for fans or former players who may be considering a career in officiating. For this game, Matt MacPherson and Jonny Murray will call the offsides and icings, while Steve Kozari and Dan O’Rourke will wear orange armbands.
With the increasing focus on offsides with video reviews, the linesmen are more identifiable than ever. Game 6’s offsides review played a significant role when Aleksander Barkov’s score to make it 2-1 Oilers was disallowed due to a missed offside.
Steve Kozari
Kozari hails from Penticton, British Columbia. He appeared in 66 regular season games and 16 postseason games. He was born on June 20th, 1973, and began officiating during the 2003-04 season. He has been in two Stanley Cup Finals: the 2014 and 2019 editions. It’s a special moment for Kozari, as he was stretchered off the ice after a collision with Hadyn Fleury in April but recovered to don the stripes again in the playoffs.
Dan O’Rourke
O’Rourke is from Calgary, Alberta. He officiated 64 regular season games and 15 postseason games. He was born on August 31st, 1972. O’Rourke has plenty of Stanley Cup Final experience, officiating the 2011, 2016, and 2020 series. He started his professional hockey career as a player after four years in the WHL. He played for four seasons between the ECHL, CHL, and IHL.
Matt MacPherson
MacPherson is from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He called the offsides and icings for 72 regular season and 15 postseason games. MacPherson officiated his first NHL game in 2011 and finally made his first Stanley Cup Final in 2018. This was his third Stanley Cup Final, as he participated in the 2020 edition.
Jonny Murray
Murray is from Quebec’s Beauport. He served as an official for 16 postseason games and 71 regular season games. Murray’s birthday is August 10, 1974. Playing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022, he is one of the NHL’s most regarded linesmen.
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