Could this be a potential conflict of interest?
Former Carolina Hurricanes prospect Carter Sandlak - now an NHL official - is on the call for Tuesday's game between Carolina and Montreal. Sandlak never suited up for the Hurricanes but spent two seasons playing for the Charlotte Checkers, their AHL affiliate.
Sandlak officiated his first NHL game on March 2, 2022 and appeared in 26 games in total.
How it started... How it's going:
Former Carolina farmhand Carter Sandlak gets the call in stripes tonight for Hurricanes vs. Canadiens in Montréal alongside Wes McCauley. Tonight's crew: https://t.co/5wfVZ5cVX7 @Canes @CanadiensMTL #LetsGoCanes #GoHabsGo #CARvsMTL pic.twitter.com/liZT6hN8AZ— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) March 7, 2023
The Vancouver-native - in his first full NHL season - most recently played in the '17-18 season when he suited up for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL. Presumably, he spent the ensuing three years training to be an official.
After all, the best officials are (probably) former players, given the overlap in skillsets. Also, who understands the game better than lifelong players?
Do you think there is a conflict of interest in former players officiating games featuring their former clubs?
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