WAKEFIELD, Mass. - The Hockey East Association announced today Brian Murphy has been named Supervisor of Men's Officials. Murphy, who served as an official in Hockey East from 1986-88, has 32 years of experience as an official in the National Hockey League and is one of just two Americans to have officiated over 2,000 NHL regular season games.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Brian back to Hockey East, where he started his long career as an official," said Hockey East Commissioner Steve Metcalf. "I know I also speak for the coaches when I say I'm excited to have his expertise and passion for officiating rejoin our league."
"I would like to thank Steve Metcalf for the opportunity to return to Hockey East, the best collegiate ice hockey league in the country," said Murphy. "I look forward to sharing my passion for officiating development with the officiating staff, the student athletes, coaches, administrators and member institutions. I would also like to thank Dan Schachte for all his efforts to develop the current Hockey East officiating staff to what it is today."
On March 16, 2019, Murphy became the eighth individual and only the second American to officiate 2,000 NHL regular season games after former Hockey East Supervisor of Men's Officials Dan Schachte reached that milestone in 2012. Murphy has also worked over 300 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including nine Stanley Cup Final series, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, the 2004 and 2016 World Cups of Hockey, and the 1999 NHL All-Star Game.
"Brian Murphy has been one of the most respected officials in the National Hockey League for over 30 years," said Lou Lamoriello, former Commissioner of Hockey East and current President of Hockey Operations for the NHL's New York Islanders. "His appointment as Supervisor of Officials brings unquestioned experience and knowledge of the game along with exceptional people skills. There is no doubt in my mind that Brian will be a decided asset to the present and future of Hockey East."
In addition to his on-ice duties, Murphy served as the President of the NHL Officiating Association from 2008-15. In that role, he was responsible for establishing the Association's agenda, communications, and direction for the executive board. He also led all collective bargaining, insurance, labor relations, negotiations and pension duties for NHL officials. Murphy began his officiating career in 1983 while at the University of New Hampshire. He was accepted into the USA Hockey development program and officiated New Hampshire high school hockey before working for two years as an official in the American Hockey League and Hockey East. Murphy excelled and, in 1988, was selected to work the Hockey East Championship Game, the Beanpot title game, and the NCAA Division 1 Championship Game.
In the summer of 1988, Murphy was hired by the NHL under a minor league linesman contract and made his NHL debut on October 7, 1988. He was promoted to a full-time NHL linesman status in the summer of 1990, and is one of only a few officials to have worked NHL games both as a referee and linesman after serving as a referee during the NHL's transition to a four-man on-ice officiating crew.
In addition to his work with the NHL, Murphy has contributed to the Officiating Program of Merit, USA Hockey's highest- level officiating development program, for the past nine years and has been involved in the governing body's officiating development program for over three decades.
Murphy is a native of Dover, New Hampshire and graduated with a business degree from the University of New Hampshire before earning his master's degree in business administration in 2018 from Southern New Hampshire University. Murphy resides in Dover with his wife, Lisa. They have two adult daughters, Casey and Shayna.
