Marcus Vinnerborg
Encyclopedia
Karl Johan Marcus Vinnerborg (born 8 August 1972) is a Swedish professional ice hockey
referee
. He currently works in North America for the National Hockey League
and American Hockey League
.
, and in 1986 he represented Småland
in TV-pucken
. He began his officiating career at minor hockey
-level in 1987 after having quit playing ice hockey. He was a linesman at Allsvenskan-level for several year before he decided to take the referee education.
In 2006 Vinnerborg officiated at the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
in Vancouver
, Canada
, where he was selected as the referee for the bronze medal game between Finland and USA. He was then selected to officiate at the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
in Riga
, Latvia
, where he officiated until the semifinals started.
Vinnerborg and Thomas Andersson became Elitserien's first professional referees prior to the 2006–07 season
. He was again selected to go the World Championship in 2007
, and he was selected to officiate the final between Canada and Finland.
Vinnerborg together with Brent Reiber
officiated the 2008 IIHF European Champions Cup
final between HC Sparta Prague and Metallurg Magnitogorsk
, the tournament was one of three trials of the four-man official system which later was introduced at the Ice Hockey World Championships
. Vinnerborg was awarded Guldpipan
(the golden whistle) as Elitserien's best referee during the 2007–08 season
, voted by the player. After receiving the award prior to game three of the 2008 Swedish Championship final between Linköping HC and HV71
, Vinnerborg faced controversy after making a critical error when not awarding a penalty to Linköping HC, after HV71's defenceman Johan Åkerman
had intentionally shot a broken stick at the puck while being shorthanded. Linköping lost the game and Vinnerborg was not chosen to officiate the next game, Linköping's coach Janne Karlsson
criticised the league since the four-man official system was not in use during the finals. For the third year in a row Vinnerborg was selected to the World Championship, in 2008
held in Canada on small ice. Vinnerborg and fellow Swede Christer Lärking were selected to officiate the final between Russia and Canada, making it Vinnerborg's second final appearance in a row. They stood for a controversial but correct puck out penalty on Canada's Rick Nash
in overtime, which lead to Ilya Kovalchuk
scoring the championship winning goal on the man advantage that followed.
Vinnerborg suffered an injury to his neck and head after a collision with HV71
's Mattias Tedenby
during a pre-season game in 2008, which lead to him missing the start of the 2008–09 season
. On 30 September 2008, during a game between hosts SC Bern
and the New York Rangers
, Vinnerborg and Don Koharski
became the first tandem of National Hockey League
(NHL) and IIHF referees in an international event.
In May 2010, the NHL announced that Vinnerborg would be joining the NHL's officiating staff for the 2010–11 season
, as the first European-trained NHL official. He will primarily be assigned to games in the American Hockey League
(AHL) with some work at the NHL level. "His knowledge of the North American game and his work ethic and professionalism will make him a positive addition to the NHL staff," said league director of officials Terry Gregson
. He worked his first game in the NHL on November 16, 2010, a 2-1 win for the Dallas Stars
over the visiting Anaheim Ducks
.
with his wife Anna and their twin daughters Amanda and Vilma. He worked as a high school teacher in English and German before his career as a full-time professional referee.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
referee
Official (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, an official is a person who has some responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game. There are two categories of officials, on-ice officials, who are the referees and linesmen that enforce the rules during game play, and off-ice officials, who have an...
. He currently works in North America for the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
and American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
.
Officiating career
Vinnerborg played hockey for IF Troja/LjungbyIF Troja/Ljungby
IF Troja/Ljungby is an ice hockey club from Ljungby, Sweden. They are currently playing in the second highest league in Sweden, HockeyAllsvenskan.-External links:*...
, and in 1986 he represented Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
in TV-pucken
TV-pucken
TV-pucken is a Swedish national ice hockey tournament for district teams of boys under 15 years of age. It was created by hockey legend Sven "Tumba" Johansson....
. He began his officiating career at minor hockey
Minor hockey
Minor hockey is an umbrella term for amateur ice hockey which is played below the junior age level. Players are classified by age, with each age group playing in its own league. The rules, especially as it relates to body contact, vary from class to class...
-level in 1987 after having quit playing ice hockey. He was a linesman at Allsvenskan-level for several year before he decided to take the referee education.
In 2006 Vinnerborg officiated at the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships were held in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The championships began on December 26, 2005, and finished on January 5, 2006. Games were played at GM Place and the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, the Interior Savings Centre in...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where he was selected as the referee for the bronze medal game between Finland and USA. He was then selected to officiate at the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 70th such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 45 countries participated in four levels of competition. The competition also served as qualifications for the 2007 competition...
in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, where he officiated until the semifinals started.
Vinnerborg and Thomas Andersson became Elitserien's first professional referees prior to the 2006–07 season
2006–07 Elitserien season
The 2006–07 Elitserien season was the 32nd season of Elitserien. It began on September 18, 2006, with the regular season ending March 2, 2007. The playoffs of the 84th Swedish Championship concluded on April 14, with Modo Hockey defeating Linköpings HC to win their second championship title.-Final...
. He was again selected to go the World Championship in 2007
2007 IIHF World Championship
The 2007 IIHF World Championship were held between April 27 and May 13, 2007 in Moscow, Russia. It was the 71st annual world championship event run by the International Ice Hockey Federation...
, and he was selected to officiate the final between Canada and Finland.
Vinnerborg together with Brent Reiber
Brent Reiber
Brent Reiber is a Swiss ice hockey referee, who referees in the Swiss National League A.- References :...
officiated the 2008 IIHF European Champions Cup
2008 IIHF European Champions Cup
-Standings:-Results:All times local -Gold medal game:Metallurg Magnitogorsk qualified for the final of the European Champions Cup thanks to a shootout win against Slovan Bratislava. The Slovaks were close to a surprise but the Russians could overcome the hard-working opponent at the end of the game...
final between HC Sparta Prague and Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Metallurg Magnitogorsk is a professional ice hockey team based in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia. They are members of the Kharlamov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, the tournament was one of three trials of the four-man official system which later was introduced at the Ice Hockey World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
. Vinnerborg was awarded Guldpipan
Guldpipan
Guldpipan officially known as SICO:s guldpipa, is a Swedish ice hockey award, awarded annually since 1982 to the premier referee in Elitserien as judged by the members of Sveriges Ishockeyspelares Centralorganisation . The award holds a high status among officials since only players are allowed to...
(the golden whistle) as Elitserien's best referee during the 2007–08 season
2007–08 Elitserien season
The 2007–08 Elitserien season was the 33rd season of Elitserien. It began on September 24, 2007, with the regular season ending March 8, 2008. The playoffs of the 84th Swedish Championship ended on April 18, with HV71 taking the championship.-Rule changes:...
, voted by the player. After receiving the award prior to game three of the 2008 Swedish Championship final between Linköping HC and HV71
HV71
HV71, often referred to as just HV, is a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Jönköping, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien...
, Vinnerborg faced controversy after making a critical error when not awarding a penalty to Linköping HC, after HV71's defenceman Johan Åkerman
Johan Åkerman
See Johan Gustav Åkerman for the economistJohan Åkerman is a professional Swedish ice hockey player, currently with Linköpings HC in the Swedish Elitserien.-External links:...
had intentionally shot a broken stick at the puck while being shorthanded. Linköping lost the game and Vinnerborg was not chosen to officiate the next game, Linköping's coach Janne Karlsson
Janne Karlsson
Jan "Janne" Tordh Ingemar Karlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
criticised the league since the four-man official system was not in use during the finals. For the third year in a row Vinnerborg was selected to the World Championship, in 2008
2008 IIHF World Championship
The 2008 IIHF World Championship was played between May 2 and May 18, 2008 in the Canadian cities of Halifax and Quebec City . The two venues were the Halifax Metro Centre and the Colisée Pepsi...
held in Canada on small ice. Vinnerborg and fellow Swede Christer Lärking were selected to officiate the final between Russia and Canada, making it Vinnerborg's second final appearance in a row. They stood for a controversial but correct puck out penalty on Canada's Rick Nash
Rick Nash
Rick Nash is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League ....
in overtime, which lead to Ilya Kovalchuk
Ilya Kovalchuk
Ilya Valerevich Kovalchuk is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger who is an alternate captain of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. Drafted first overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, he began his NHL career in 2001–02 with Atlanta and was...
scoring the championship winning goal on the man advantage that followed.
Vinnerborg suffered an injury to his neck and head after a collision with HV71
HV71
HV71, often referred to as just HV, is a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Jönköping, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien...
's Mattias Tedenby
Mattias Tedenby
Mattias "Teddybear" Tedenby is a Swedish professional ice hockey player, currently with the New Jersey Devils in the NHL.-Playing career:...
during a pre-season game in 2008, which lead to him missing the start of the 2008–09 season
2008–09 Elitserien season
The 2008–09 Elitserien season was the 34th season of Elitserien. It began on September 15, 2008, with the regular season ending February 28, 2009. The playoffs of the 85th Swedish Championship ended on April 8, with Färjestads BK taking the championship...
. On 30 September 2008, during a game between hosts SC Bern
SC Bern
Schlittschuh Club Bern is an ice hockey team based in Bern, Switzerland. The club was the most attended team in Europe for the 2010-11 season, averaging 15,856 spectators....
and the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, Vinnerborg and Don Koharski
Don Koharski
Don Koharski is a retired professional ice hockey referee in the National Hockey League. He currently resides in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, together with whom he has two sons...
became the first tandem of National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) and IIHF referees in an international event.
In May 2010, the NHL announced that Vinnerborg would be joining the NHL's officiating staff for the 2010–11 season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
, as the first European-trained NHL official. He will primarily be assigned to games in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) with some work at the NHL level. "His knowledge of the North American game and his work ethic and professionalism will make him a positive addition to the NHL staff," said league director of officials Terry Gregson
Terry Gregson
Terry Gregson , nicknamed "The Head Zebra", is the current National Hockey League Director of Officiating. He was formerly a referee in the NHL from 1981 until 2004. He wore a helmet from the mid-1980s until the end of his refereeing career...
. He worked his first game in the NHL on November 16, 2010, a 2-1 win for the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
over the visiting Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Personal life
Vinnerborg lives in LjungbyLjungby
Ljungby may refer to:*Ljungby, city in Ljungby Municipality, Sweden*Ljungby Municipality, municipality in Kronoberg County, Sweden*Ljungby, Falkenberg, village and parish in Falkenberg Municipality, Sweden...
with his wife Anna and their twin daughters Amanda and Vilma. He worked as a high school teacher in English and German before his career as a full-time professional referee.