The ECHL announced on Friday that four former on-ice officials have been hired by the National Hockey League for the 2026-27 season.
 
Referees Nick Isaacson, Austin Rook and Hayden Verbeek, along with linesman Anthony Lapointe, will work under NHL contracts this season.
 
“On behalf of the ECHL, I'd like to congratulate Nick, Austin, Hayden and Anthony on joining the National Hockey League officiating staff,” said ECHL Manager of Officiating Operations Casey Terreri. “Reaching the NHL is a monumental achievement and a direct result of their deep passion for the game, relentless dedication and unwavering work ethic. We are proud to see them take this step and wish them continued success as they join the distinguished group of former ECHL officials currently working in the National Hockey League.
 
“This milestone is equally a tribute to the exceptional work of the ECHL Officiating Development Staff and Development Coaches,” Terreri added. “Their tireless commitment to refining talent, elevating standards and driving improvement game after game remains the bedrock of our development pipeline.”
 
Isaacson, Rook and Verbeek each were selected to work the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs, with Verbeek earning an assignment in the Conference Finals and Rook advancing to the Kelly Cup Finals. Lapointe worked games in the ECHL during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
 
In addition to the four new hires, there are 37 other former ECHL officials who are scheduled to work as part of the NHL officiating team in 2026-27 with referees Benjamin Betker, Jake Brenk, Riley Brace, Francis Charron, Tom Chmielewski, Mitch Dunning, Trevor Hanson, Beau Halkidis, Jean Hebert, Pierre Lambert, T.J. Luxmore, Peter MacDougall, Morgan MacPhee, Michael Markovic, Liam Maaskant, Wes McCauley, Jon McIsaac, Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Carter Sandlak, Graham Skilliter and Furman South and linesmen Ryan Daisy, Julien Fournier, Brandon Gawryletz, Brandon Grillo, Trent Knorr, Matt MacPherson, Jesse Marquis, Kilian McNamara, Bevin Mills, CJ Murray, Shawn Oliver, Ben O’Quinn and Bryan Pancich. Hebert, McCauley, Rooney, Knorr and MacPherson were selected to work the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
 
About the ECHL
 
Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 30 teams in 23 states and one Canadian province for its 39th season in 2026-27. There have been 782 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after playing in the ECHL, including 14 who made their NHL debuts in the 2025-26 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 29 of the 32 NHL teams in 2026-27, marking the 29th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.