NHL Promotes MacDougall, Mills, Tobias to Full-Time Officials

According to Scouting the Refs, The NHL has promoted three officials to full-time status for the 2019-20 season.

Referee Peter MacDougall has been promoted to full-time referee, along with linesmen Bevan Mills and James Tobias.

MacDougall, 33 years old, is heading into his 4th season in the NHL.  The Saskatchewan native has refereed in 39 NHL games, while splitting duty between the NHL & AHL.

Mills, 31 years old, is going into his 4th NHL season.  The Vancouver, BC native has 100 NHL games to his name, while splitting time between the NHL & AHL the past 3 seasons.  With a stellar and lengthy officiating resume, Mills' promotion is long overdue.

Tobias, 24 years old, is heading into his 3rd NHL season.  The western NY native has 59 NHL games on his resume after splitting the past 2 season between the NHL & AHL.

With Brad Watson, Lonnie Cameron, and Tim Nowak retiring last season, there were openings on the NHL staff that needed to be filled.  Ironically, Mills and Tobias were based out of the same locations as Cameron and Nowak respectively.

As previously reported, these promotions have a trickle down effect and open up spots for the NHL to hire Dan Kelly, Kyle Flemington, Julien Fournier, & Travis Toomey.

Source: Scouting the Refs