Ex-Smokie, Brandon Gawryletz, has been promoted to full time as a linesman in the NHL. His NHL debut came on Octobeer 14, 2015 at the Honda Center in Anaheim in a game between the Arizona Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks. Last season Brandon split his officiating between the NHL and the AHL where he officiated for a few years. He also officiated in the ECHL and the Central Hockey League handling the cup finals in 2013 & 2014. Regarding his NHL debut, Gawryletz quoted, “To be able to be out there and be involved in the greatest league in the world is definitely an honor.”
Gawryletz played with the smokies in 1999/2000, 2000/2001 before being traded to the Langley Hornets where he played for two seasons. He returned to the Smokies in 2003/2004 and in 58 games scored 6 goals and 27 assists with 122 penalty minutes. He played the next four season with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
