NHL hires former ECHL officials

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced on Monday that the National Hockey League has hired T.J. Luxmore, who worked as a full-time referee in the ECHL from 2010-2012, including the 2011 and 2012 Kelly Cup Finals, and Jon McIsaac, who worked a split schedule between the ECHL and AHL in 2011-12. In addition to his experience in the ECHL, Luxmore also spent time in the Ontario Hockey League, and served as a referee at the Traverse City Rookie Tournament in 2011. ?Having the opportunity to work in the ECHL during the past two seasons has given me valuable experience working with professional players,? Luxmore said. ?Having a dedicated staff led by Joe Ernst and the ECHL supervisors has allowed me to grow and develop both on and off the ice. The caliber of hockey in the ECHL definitely prepares an official for the next levels in their officiating career. I am very grateful for this opportunity with the NHL and I thank the ECHL for helping get to this point.? McIsaac spent last season working between the ECHL and American Hockey League. Prior to last season he spent two years in the Central Hockey League and six in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. ?The ECHL is very proud to learn that the National Hockey League has hired both T.J. and Jon to their staff for this upcoming season,? said ECHL Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Ernst. ?They have both proven over the course of this past season that they are ready for this next step in their careers and we are proud to have been able to have played a part in their development. ?We are pleased that the National Hockey League recognizes the ECHL as a top development league for officials to learn what it takes to deal with professionals on an every games basis. We strive to maintain this standard we have set from the officiating side of the ECHL in developing officials for the NHL.? In addition to Luxmore and McIsaac, the NHL also hired former ECHL official Trent Knorr as a referee. Knorr worked in the ECHL as a linesman from 2005-11. This is the sixth consecutive season that an ECHL referee has been hired by the National Hockey League. David Banfield was hired prior to the 2007-08 season, Ghislain Hebert joined the NHL prior to the 2008-09, Francis Charron was hired prior to the 2009-10 season, Jean Hebert was hired prior to the 2010-11 season and Graham Skilliter and Matt MacPherson were hired prior to the 2011-12 season. (Release Courtesy: ECHL Media Relations)