Longtime NHL referee Marc Joannette hit a major career milestone Saturday night in Montreal.
He is officiating his 1,000th NHL game as the Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings at the Bell Centre.
"For me, it will be like any other game," Joannette told NHL.com's Arpon Basu. "But the presence of the people I invited, I look forward to thanking them for their support. That's what's most important for me, thanking them for the last 1,000 games."
Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien credited Joannette for his accomplishments prior to Saturday's game.
"I've got a lot of respect for a guy that's been there a long time," Therrien said. "He's a quality referee."
The 46-year-old Quebec native was chosen to work the 2008 and 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, as well as the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. He made his regular-season debut as an official in 1999.
