Veteran official announces retirement, both benches clear to pay respects
It was a very heartwarming scene in Calgary on Saturday night, as veteran NHL official Dean Morton was met with a lengthy handshake lineup following his final game as an NHL referee.
Morton stood at centre ice while players from both the Calgary Flames and the Detroit Red Wings paid their respects to the longtime referee on the eve of his retirement, some offering handshakes and congratulations and others offering hugs and sharing some laughs with Morton to send him off.
Morton played several seasons in the American Hockey League and made it into one NHL game, scoring his first career NHL goal in the contest.
Morton became an NHL referee 22 years ago, officiating a game between the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders. He has since officiated over 1000 NHL hockey games.
Congrats to Morty on his retirement and all the best in whatever comes next.
| POLL | ||
MARS 13 | 290 ANSWERS Veteran official announces retirement, both benches clear to pay respects What are your thoughts on the NHL officiating this season? | ||
| Status quo | 42 | 14.5 % |
| It's been worse than ever | 198 | 68.3 % |
| I think it's improving | 21 | 7.2 % |
| Don't care | 29 | 10 % |
| List of polls | ||
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