History was made Thursday night at United Center during the Sharks' 5-4 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
With referee Jordan Samuels-Thomas and linesman Shandor Alphonso officiating the game, it was the first time in NHL history that two Black on-ice officials worked a game together.
It was Samuels-Thomas' NHL debut as a referee. He became the first Black referee in an NHL game since Jay Sharrers on April 2, 2004.
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"It was a lot of fun," Samuels-Thomas said via NHL.com. "Growing up, all you want to do is be in the NHL, and I'm 31 years old, and it's been a lifetime of work, and I had all my family here in the stands and friends and everyone who's been with me along the way. So, special to share the moment with them."
Samuels-Thomas, 31, is a native of West Hartford, Conn., and was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009 but never played in the NHL.
Taking the ice in a historic moment, Samuels-Thomas wore No. 42, the same as Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947.
"When I played I was No. 42, for a reason, and with the opportunity to wear this number [it] was easy," Samuels-Thomas said via NHL.com "… Being able to wear Jackie's number is always special, so I got to do it as a player, and now as an official. I wish I could keep this number forever."
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Samuels-Thomas was hired by the NHL in September and had been working in the AHL this season. Before that he spent time officiating in USHL and North American Hockey League.
He went to NHL officiating camp in September where he spoke with Sharrers, who was also at the United Center on Thursday as a managing official.
Eight months later, Samuels-Thomas aced his first game as an NHL referee.
"He did a great job," Alphonso said, via NHL.com. "Official supervision, I think he nailed it. He took what was given to him out there and I thought he did a good job and kept his composure out there the whole game. It was a lot of fun, for sure."