Chris Schlenker, born on 9 July 1984, is a Canadian ice hockey referee currently employed in the National Hockey League (NHL). Having switched to sweater number 3 since his promotion to the NHL before the 2018-19 season, he previously wore 48.
Schlenker commenced his junior playing career with the St. Albert Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2000 before transitioning to the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2000-01 season with the Regina Pats. In 2002, Schlenker was selected for Canada's inaugural roster for the U18s.
After a brief stint in the Alberta Midget Hockey League, he remained with the Pats until 2003-04, later joining the Prince Albert Raiders until the end of the 2004-05 season. Schlenker, hailing from Medicine Hat, AB, spent four years in the WHL with the Regina Pats before embarking on a professional hockey stint in Germany.
Despite a decade-long tenure as a police officer upon returning home, his passion for the game persisted. When a friend requested his assistance as a linesman, Schlenker eagerly embraced the opportunity. Balancing his law enforcement duties with officiating, he initiated his career in senior hockey before making a triumphant return to the WHL, receiving support from veteran referee and police officer, Devin Klein.
In 2012, Schlenker returned to the WHL, serving as a referee. He participated in the 2016 Memorial Cup and received the Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy in 2016 as the WHL's top official. Hired by the American Hockey League in 2015, Schlenker's officiating career included regular-season games and Calder Cup finals in 2017 and 2018. Before the 2016-17 season, Schlenker joined the NHL on a minor-league contract.
His full-time promotion for the 2018-19 NHL season followed after working 59 games in parts of two seasons. His first game as a full-time NHL official occurred on 3 October 2019 in a match between the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks.
Chris Schlenker Salary
The salary of an NHL referee is not publicly available information. However, based on information from various sources, the average salary for an NHL referee is between $150,000 and $300,000 per year. Chris Schlenker has been officiated in the National Hockey League (NHL) since 2018.
He is a member of the National Hockey League Officials Association (NHLPA). Schlenker has officiated in over 300 NHL games. Based on his experience and reputation, it is reasonable to estimate that his salary is within the upper range of the average NHL referee’s salary. As a result, it is reasonable to estimate that Chris Schlenker's salary is between $200,000 and $300,000 per year.
FAQ's On Chris Schlenker Salary
A. Chris Schlenker, born in 1984, is a Canadian NHL referee who played junior hockey in the WHL before transitioning to officiating. He returned to the game after a decade-long career as a police officer.
A. Schlenker returned to hockey as a linesman at 31 and later became a referee, receiving support from veteran referee Devin Klein. He joined the NHL in 2018 after officiating in the WHL and AHL and receiving the Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy in 2016.
A. The salary of NHL referees, including Chris Schlenker's, is not public, but given his experience and over 300 NHL games officiated, it's estimated to be between $200,000 and $300,000, aligning with the average salary range.
A. Chris Schlenker has officiated in over 300 NHL games since joining the league in the 2018-19 season.
A. The average NHL referee’s salary ranges from $150,000 to $300,000 per year.
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