Mark Vines

Mark Vines, a native of Elmira, Ontario, began his officiating career at age 17 while still playing and refereeing minor hockey in his hometown. He advanced to the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and later joined the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during its inaugural season while attending the University of Guelph.

While still in school, Vines earned a spot on the American Hockey League (AHL) officiating staff, where he worked for two seasons and attended his first NHL officials’ training camp in the fall of 1983. After officiating the 1984 Memorial Cup, he was hired by the NHL that same year as a full-time linesman.

Over his NHL career, Vines officiated more than 800 regular-season games and 80 playoff contests. His major assignments included the 1991 Canada Cup and the 1992 NHL All-Star Game. He retired from the league in 1995 to pursue a new venture, opening the first of four Tim Hortons restaurants.