Yevgeni Romasko set to become 1st Russian referee in NHL history
History will be made Monday in Detroit.
As the puck drops on a game between the Red Wings and the visiting Edmonton Oilers, Yevgeni Romasko will become the first Russian referee to call an NHL game, according to the IIHF.
Romasko has been plying his trade in the KHL - with 231 games to his credit - and got his feet wet in the North American game by officiating a couple of AHL games in late 2014. He also brings international experience to the table, officiating games at both the IIHF U18 World Championship and the World Junior Championship tournaments.
"His skating skills are very good. He’s a nice guy with a good character. You can rely on him," stated IIHF officiating manager Konstantin Komissarov. "Like Ovechkin, he simply enjoys to be on the ice. We wish him great success in his NHL career."
Paired on Monday with veteran Paul Devorski, Romasko will become the second European-born NHL referee, following in the skate marks of Sweden's Marcus Vinnerborg.