After three decades and 1,719 games, Dartmouth’s Don Koharski has retired from refereeing in the National Hockey League.
Koharski’s last game was Thursday night, a contest between the host Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals.
Koharski now lives with his family in Dade City, Florida.
Koharski, 53, started officiating at the age of 18 in the World Hockey Association.
In 1977 he broke into the NHL as a linesman, and in 1981 he refereed his first NHL game and never looked back.
He would go on to work 262 playoff games, including 11 Stanley Cup finals, as well as the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup competitions and the 2004 World Cup.
He also worked the 1992 and 2000 All-Star games.
Aside from his long and prestigious career, Koharski is remembered for his famous argument with New Jersey Devils coach Jim Schoenfeld during the 1988 playoffs.
Schoenfeld confronted Koharski outside the dressing room after a game between New Jersey and Boston.
The two bumped into each other, with Koharski believing he was pushed. Harsh words were then exchanged.
