Kory Nagy

Nagy expected to make the NHL, but never expected it to be as an official. The Walsingham, Ont. native played four years in the OHL and was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round (142nd overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He spent five years as a professional hockey player, splitting his time between the ECHL and the AHL. Prior to the 2014-15 season, he was property of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was training for the upcoming season when he was approached by NHL officiating manager, Al Kimmel, to see if he wanted to give it a try. Nagy attended the Officials training combine that summer while training for the Maple Leafs. During training camp, the intended to send him to the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears. Nagy decided that his dream of playing in the NHL was out of reach and he wanted to focus on officiating as a new career path. As someone new to the profession, Nagy, with help from Kimmel, officiated any game he could possibly get. His first year he officiated minor league hockey games in the morning and ECHL or AHL games at night. The following season, he would bounce around the ECHL, AHL, and SPHL just to get as many reps in as he possibly can. The 26-year-old’s work paid off for him as he was hired by the NHL in the summer of 2016 under a minor league linesman (40/40) contract. He was promoted to a full time NHL linesman status in the following summer (2017).

Nagy retired from the NHL in 2022