Longtime NHL referee Bill McCreary will work his final game on Saturday night when the Capitals host the Buffalo Sabres in Washington, the league announced Friday.
It is the same city where the 55-year-old Guelph, Ontario, native officiated his first game on Nov. 3, 1984 when the Capitals played the New Jersey Devils. Since then, McCreary has worked 1,736 games and has long been regarded as one of the game's top refs.
"Over the course of an outstanding career, Bill McCreary established a level of excellence matched by very few in the history of our profession," said Terry Gregson, the NHL's Director of Officiating.
"The level of esteem with which he has been regarded by his peers, officiating managers and NHL players and coaches is reflected in the number of playoff games he was selected to work -- including a remarkable 15 Stanley Cup Finals."
Not only did he call 297 NHL playoff games and 44 Stanley Cup final games, but McCreary was also chosen to work at the Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002 and 2010, and each time officiated the Gold Medal Game.
"I am honored to have worked in the NHL for so many years and have been privileged to be assigned to so many important games," McCreary said.
"My family always has been very supportive of my career and I'm very fortunate that they will be in attendance and able to share in my final game in Washington. I have worked with an incredible group of people both on and off the ice and I am looking forward to my next adventure."
