Andy McElman

Andy retired from his career as an NHL Linesman on April 3, 2016. Andy’s NHL career spans 23 years and 1500 NHL Games from 1993-2016 and includes playoff games, the Winter Classic in Wrigley Field and the European NHL Premier Games. In addition to his NHL experiences, Andy worked as an official in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Andy grew up in Illinois (Palatine) where he started ice hockey as a player and ultimately began officiating at 12 years of age. Through his hard work and dedication he developed as an official in Illinois, progressing through the minor leagues and the USA Hockey programs.

Andy’s first NHL game was October 7, 1993, in St. Louis when the Blues played Florida.

When asked about his experiences as an NHL Official, Andy said this: “It has been an honor to work with the finest on-ice officials in the world. The group that goes on the ice every night is like no other team. We hold each other up to the NHL standard. We support each other as we officiate the most competitive and athletic sport on the planet. It has been a great ride working in the NHL and when the time comes I will surely miss it. My 1500th and last game is scheduled for April 3rd in Chicago against Boston. That day will be an emotional day!!!! Officiating hockey has taken me all over the world and allowed me to work at the highest level, doing what I love for a game I love. It just doesn’t get better than that!”

Andy was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.