FROM THE OHA TO A CAREER AS AN NHL LINESMAN

By: Chris McLachlin, OHA Media
(files from the NHL Officials Association)
Photo: Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
(Originally published in the 2017-18 OHA Annual Report)

NHL Linesman Mark Shewchyk is a native of Hamilton, Ontario and before he became an official he played Junior C in the OHA with the Flamborough Gamblers. He started officiating when he was 23 years old and quickly climbed the ranks. 

Mark’s father, Dave Shewchyk was an NHL official from 1968 to 1976 and played a big role in his early development as a hockey official. Mark said, “My father, who was also an NHL linesman/referee, was a huge support for me while working my way up the levels. With his officiating background, it was like having a supervisor at every game.”

During his first year of officiating, Shewchyk attended the North American School of Officiating where the instructors included Greg and Paul Devorski, Scott Driscoll, and Stephen Walkom. He was hired to join the OHA Officiating Staff from that clinic and the following year (summer of 1999) he was hired by the OHL as a linesman at the age of 24. 

For the next two seasons Shewchyk worked games in both the OHA and the OHL where his hard work and understanding of the game made him a prime prospect for the National Hockey League Officiating Team. In his second year with the OHL as a linesman, Shewchyk was identified as a good candidate for the NHL and was assigned to work some AHL games in his hometown of Hamilton. 

The big promotion for Shewchyk came in the summer of 2003 when Andy Van Hellemond, the NHL Director of Officiating, offered him an NHL full-time linesman contract while he was attending the annual NHL Officiating Prospect Summer Camp in Guelph, Ontario. Shewchyk became the first ever second-generation (after his father Dave) to work an NHL Regular Season Game as an NHL on-ice official when he took the ice for his first NHL game on October 9th, 2003 in Nashville, TN when the Predators hosted the Anaheim Ducks. 

When asked about his most memorable game, Shewchyk mentioned his first playoff game and working the Winter Classic, but said, “I would have to say my first NHL game is the most memorable. Growing up and watching these guys work on TV and then actually getting the opportunity to work with them was a dream come true.” He added, “Having my parents at my first game was special too. Especially with all the help and advice my father gave me. Being the first ever second-generation full time official in the NHL is something I'm also proud of.”

Shewchyk has some good advice for the young officials as well, saying: “Work as many games as you can to get noticed. You never know who's watching you in the stands. Your presence on the ice and how you carry yourself is very important. Your physical fitness and your skating ability is key as you move up in your levels. Take advantage of any officiating clinics in your area during the offseason.  Many of the instructors are current or former NHL officials.”

BIO: MARK SHEWCHYK
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
Position: NHL Linesman
NHL Regular Season Games: 1,002
NHL Playoff Games: 35

OFFICIATING CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1998: Joined the OHA
1999: Joined the OHL 
2000: First AHL Game
2003: First NHL Game
2009: First NHL Playoff Game
2018: First NHL All-Star Game

Mark Shewchyk - NHL Officials Association