Katie Guay will become first woman AHL referee during Saturday’s Phantoms game

Katie Guay will make history on Saturday night during the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ season opener in Wilkes-Barre.

Guay will become the first female referee in the history of the American Hockey League. The 2021-2022 AHL slate will include 10 female referees, paving the way for future women refereeing in the National Hockey League.

Jacqueline Zee Howard will be a part of the officiating crew the following day on the latter half of a Phantoms and Penguins back to back.

AHL President Scott Howson: “We are honored to be able to play a role as these officials continue their development towards working at the sport’s highest level. They each bring years of experience in the collegiate, junior, international and women’s professional ranks, and they will all be great additions to our staff this season.

Katie Guay has been refereeing since 2006. Her resume includes officiating at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and refereeing men’s and women’s D1 hockey. Guay was the first woman to officiate the men’s Beanpot Championship in 2019, an annual tournament including the four major hockey colleges of Boston (BU, BC, Harvard, Northeastern).

Lehigh Valley plays the Penguins at 6:05 PM on Saturday and 3:00 PM the following day.

H/T @TonyAndrock