Steve Kozari

Kozari, who started officiating at a young age back in the Peach City, made several stops during his officiating journey to the National Hockey League. He first started officiating all levels of minor hockey around his hometown before reaching the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) after a few years. From there, he made the jump to the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he would spend a total of 10 seasons.

The man who wears number 40 since being hired by the NHL, also worked with the B.C. Sheriff’s office in Pentiction during his early days as a part-time hockey official. Kozari was named best referee of the WHL after the 2002-03 season and was assigned to work the prestigious 2003 CHL Memorial Cup held in Quebec City that spring. His strong showing at the tournament and his consistency as an official during the past several seasons in the WHL earned him an invitation to the defunct NHL Officiating Prospects Camp which was held in Guelph, Ontario in late June that summer. He was offered a NHL Minor League Referee contract while attending the camp. 

Steve spent a total of four seasons under the Minor Leagues status before being promoted to a full-time NHL status in the summer of 2007.