Shandor Alphonso Explained

Shandor Alphonso
Birth Date:24 May 1984
Birth Place:Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Alma Mater:Lakehead University
Employer:National Hockey League
Occupation:Ice hockey linesman
Years Active:2011–present

Shandor Alphonso (born May 24, 1984) is a Canadian ice hockey linesman, currently working in the National Hockey League. He has worn sweater number 52 since joining the NHL prior to the start of the 2014-15 season. Alphonso has officiated 664 regular season games and 37 Stanley Cup playoff games .[1]

Playing career

Alphonso was chosen in the 7th round (140th overall) of the 2000 OHL Priority Selection, by the Sudbury Wolves. He spent three seasons with Sudbury, picking up 73 points in 183 games. After spending the 2004–05 season in the OPJHL, he played five years at Lakehead University before finishing his playing career in the WOAA with the Shelburne Muskies. Alphonso was a left winger.[2]

Officiating career

Prior to the 2009-10 season, Alphonso attended the NHL's Amateur Exposure Combine, a program for former junior and college players who had an interest in becoming an official.[3] He decided to become an official, instead of continuing his playing career.

On 25 September 2011, Alphonso worked his first Ontario Hockey League game in Oshawa, as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds played against the Oshawa Generals.[4]

He attended the combine again (then called the Officials Exposure Combine), in 2014,[5] before signing a minor league contract that September.[6] His first NHL game came on 17 October 2014, when the Florida Panthers faced off against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo.[7] In 2015 (his first season under the contract), he worked the American Hockey League's Calder Cup final series between the Utica Comets and Manchester Monarchs.[8]

Before the 2016-17 season, Alphonso was promoted to a full-time NHL linesman.[9]

On 14 February 2017, Alphonso was slashed in the leg by Anaheim Ducks centre Antoine Vermette, who was reportedly unhappy with a faceoff conducted by Alphonso. Alphonso did not suffer any injury on the play, but Vermette was assessed a game misconduct and was suspended 10 games by the league the next day.[10]

Personal life

Before he joined the NHL's officiating staff in 2014, Alphonso had worked for RBC Bank as a financial planner.[11] He left the company in October of that same year.[12]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
2000–01Orangeville CrushersMWJHL47 11 11 22 67
2001–02Sudbury WolvesOHL58 4 14 18 375 0 0 0 2
2002–03Sudbury WolvesOHL66 15 21 36 60
2003–04Sudbury WolvesOHL59 6 13 19 466 0 1 1 6
2004–05Milton IcehawksOPJHL42 22 35 57 4511 6 8 14 16
2005–06Lakehead ThunderwolvesCIS21 2 4 6 36
2006–07Lakehead ThunderwolvesCIS26 2 5 7 20
2007–08Lakehead ThunderwolvesCIS26 5 4 9 29
2008–09Lakehead ThunderwolvesCIS14 2 1 3 24
2009–10Lakehead ThunderwolvesCIS24 7 8 15 12
2010–11Shelburne MuskiesWOAA12 1 7 8 8
OHL totals183 25 48 73 14311 0 1 1 8
CIS totals111 18 22 40 121

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shandor Alphonso NHL Linesman NHL Officials Association . 2024-11-30 . NHLOA . en-US.
  2. Web site: Shandor Alphonso - Stats, Contract, Salary & More . 2024-11-26 . www.eliteprospects.com . en.
  3. Web site: Douglas . William . Alphonso and Sharrers share bond in NHL’s zebra fraternity . The Color of Hockey . 13 February 2019 . 8 October 2015.
  4. Web site: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs Oshawa Generals; 11-12 OHL season . Ontario Hockey League . 13 February 2019.
  5. Web site: Benjamin . Amalie . NHL grooming next generation of officials at Exposure Combine . NHL.com . 13 February 2019 . 29 August 2018.
  6. Web site: Shandor Alphonso's biography . NHL Officials Association . 13 February 2019.
  7. Web site: Shandor Alphonso - First NHL Game . NHL Officials Association . 13 February 2019 . 18 October 2014.
  8. Web site: AHL Morning Skate: June 6 . American Hockey League . 13 February 2019 . 5 June 2015.
  9. Web site: Halliday . Chris . Orangeville man promoted to full-time NHL referee . Orangeville Banner . 13 February 2019 . 6 October 2016.
  10. Web site: Antoine Vermette of Ducks suspended 10 games . NHL.com . 16 February 2019 . 16 February 2017.
  11. Web site: Bennett . Donnovan . How a financial advisor became the NHL’s only active black official . Sportsnet . 13 February 2019 . 18 April 2018.
  12. Web site: Halliday . Chris . Orangeville man trades financial planning portfolio for NHL referee whistle . Orangeville Banner . 13 February 2019 . 3 October 2014.