FPHL Referee Kevin Mallin To Retire Following A 37 Year Career

At the conclusion of the 2024-25 Federal Prospects Hockey League season, Veteran Referee Kevin Mallin will be hanging up the whistle signaling the end of a long illustrious career in professional hockey..  

Kevin Mallin was born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio and was recently inducted into the Shaker Heights High School Hockey Hall of Fame and earned an OHSAA Ice Hockey State Championship in 1981. Along with his brother Karl, they started playing hockey at 4 years old. 

Since a shoulder surgery cut short Kevin's playing career in college, he decided to become a referee. Mitch Korn (Director of Goaltending for the Nashville Predators and former Capital’s Goaltender Coach), who was in charge of the officiating program at Miami University, got Kevin started.  One year later, N. Thomas Berry (Former Commissioner of the IHL), invited Kevin to attend the IHL Officials Camp in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he got his shot at the professional level and has continued that journey for 37 years.

Kevin currently resides in Carmel, Indiana, with his wife, Heidi and three daughters, Stasia, Bridget, and Gretchen.

Kevin has officiated games in the NHL, IHL, AHL, ECHL, CHL, UHL, FHL, NCAA, USHL, NAHL, OHL, IIHF and USA Hockey. Over his career, Kevin has officiated the Commissioner’s Cup Finals (FPHL), Turner Cup Finals 5 times (IHL), Calder Cup playoffs 10 times (AHL), Kelly Cup playoffs (ECHL) and USA Junior A Nationals. Kevin suspects that he has worked between 1,800 and 2,000 games.

Kevin gave us some insight on how his journey brought him to the FPHL.  Kevin said, " When the Central Hockey League folded in 2014, Paul Jene called me and asked if I would work in the Federal Hockey League. I hesitated and said I’ll give it a try. If the first game I work turns into total chaos, I will respectfully resign. When that first game ended, the players from both teams came up to me and shook my hand and thanked me for working in the league. I’ve stayed with the league now for 10 years.”  

For the past 10 years Kevin has traveled to work the many different markets across the FPHL foot print.  While the FPHL has been fortunate to be able to recruit officials with experience all the way up to the NHL level, it's a big loss to the game when one decides to hang up the skates.  But this is a well deserved retirement to a career full of achievement that should motivate the next generation of stripes to come.

What a great salute to a tremendous man “Kevin” who gave so much to make this great game of hockey better!! Smitty 

David T. Smith, NHL

I met Kevin in 1994 in Hamilton, Ontario, at the NHL training camp. Kevin was a trainee for two years and then worked for 15 years in the AHL.  I got to know Kevin when he worked for me in the Central Hockey League (CHL ).  Kevin was a great mentor to all the younger officials and he was well respected by the Coaches and Players. He loved the game of hockey and it showed every night when he came to work.  HE HAD FUN!  Kevin, you'll be missed by everyone in FPHL.

What a Great Career!  All the best my friend.

Wayne Bonney, NHL 

FPHL Director of Officiating, Paul Jene, commented on Kevin’s coming retirement.  Paul stated, “Kevin was one of my mentors when I came into professional hockey in the IHL & CHL.  We attended a number of camps and road trips together and he was one of those guys that was always there for you.  He is a great motivator and his leadership shined on and off the ice.  He made the game fun and everybody respected him.  Great official and a Great man!  We will all miss Kevin on the ice."

Kevin was recently honored during a game in Port Huron, MI on Saturday March 22nd.  He will be working his final FPHL games Friday March 28th and Saturday March 29th in Danville, IL when the Dashers host the Watertown Wolves.  This will close out a 37 year career in Professional hockey.

The FPHL wishes Kevin Mallin a Safe and Happy Retirement and we Thank You for your service to our great game!

The FPHL is a Single-A Minor Professional hockey league operating in its 15th season during 2024-25.