Yes, NHL Officials Have Fans. They Turned Out For Thursday's Kraken-Sharks Game

In the stands at Climate Pledge Arena for Thursday's home finale between the Kraken and Sharks were the most striped shirts this side of King County Correctional Facility.

These were more than a dozen family and friends of 30-year-old referee Stephen Hiff. They flew in from Toronto and elsewhere in Canada for Hiff's NHL debut. To celebrate the occasion, they dressed the part.

The orange-armband crew and some scattered San Jose partisans were the only ones enjoying themselves at CPA, as the Sharks upended Seattle 3-1 on what was supposed to be Fan Appreciation Night.

Like most officials, Hiff wanted to remain close to the game after his playing days in college and the BCHL as a junior had come to an end. According to ScoutingTheRefs.com , Hiff has worked AHL and OHL games since 2019, and signed an NHL contract last year.

This Kraken Reaction video highlights Hiff's first day on the job in the NHL, and the cheering section which rooted him on. Watch closely for a referee stick tap from Kraken goalie Joey Daccord, and mascot Buoy risking a penalty for diving.