Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Red Wings Chiarot, referee Kea old teammates; Ovi’s kids meet Mr. Hockey’s kids

NHL referee Justin Kea and Detroit defenseman Ben Chiarot played together with the OHL Saginaw Spirit

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2022

Bob Duff

NHL referee Justin Kea and Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot were OHL teammates.

As the Detroit Red Wings were clashing with the Washington Capitals, there were old teammates on both sides of the ice. Former Red Wings Anthony Mantha and Nick Jensen were both facing their old club.

Detroit defenseman Ben Chiarot was also sharing the ice with an ex-teammate. Referee Justin Kea and Chiarot were both playing with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit during the 2010-11 season.

Referee Justin Kea will be making his NHL officiating debut Monday as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Buffalo Sabres. https://t.co/vMxxSMw2O4

— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) March 29, 2022

A Buffalo Sabres draft pick, 73rd overall in 2012, Kea saw action during a five-year minor pro career. In fact, his final stop as a player was with the ECHL Toledo Walleye in 2018-19. After attending the NHL Officiating Exposure Combine, Kea earned an NHL minor league referee contract.

Kea took his NHL bow in stripes on March 28, 2022, oddly enough making his debut in a Sabres vs. Chicago Blackhawks game.

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Red Wings Next Game

Detroit will close out the home slate of their pre-Christmas schedule by playing host to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET) at Little Caesars Arena. The Lightning were the last team to lose a game to the Wings.

Griffins Making Moves

The AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s top farm, were playing roster roulette on Monday. Along with the Smith trade that brought forward Dan O’Regan to GR, forward Gord Green was released from a PTO.

Meanwhile, Red Wings reassigned defenseman Donovan Sebrango from the Walleye to the Griffins. In addition, the Griffins recalled forwards Kirill Tyutyayev and Drew Worrad from the Walleye.

Hockey Now Network

Philadelphia: Team MVP last season, Flyers forward Cam Atkinson will undergo neck surgery and be missing the remainder of the NHL season. Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh: Listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury, forward Jason Zucker was back on skates on Monday. Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington: Alex Ovechkin’s sons met Gordie Howe’s sons prior to Monday’s Red Wings-Capitals game. Washington Capitals

Islanders: New York center Mathew Barzal wasn’t called for a penalty after Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was telling officials that Barzal hadn’t fouled him. New York Islanders

Boston: After he was clearing NHL waivers, the Bruins aren’t planning to send forward Craig Smith to the minors. Boston Bruins

Montreal: Beating Arizona 3-2, the Canadiens were moving to within one point of Detroit in the Atlantic Division standings. Montreal Canadiens