The New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens kicked off Marc Joannette's 1,500th NHL game with a special present.
The NHL referee received personalized jerseys from the Rangers and Canadiens that read "Joannette" and "1500" on the back. Rangers coach Gerard Gallant and Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis presented Joannette with the one-of-a-kind sweaters before their game at Bell Centre.
Sur le point d'arbitrer son 1500e match dans la LNH!
"That's too much guys," Joannette said in a video posted to the Canadiens' Twitter account. "Thank you so much guys." Joannette is set to retire after 24 years as an NHL referee April 4, when the Detroit Red Wings visit Montreal. His first game was Oct. 1, 1999.
