Jordan Blaine Samuels-Thomas, born on May 28, 1990, is an American National Hockey League (NHL) referee and former professional ice hockey player. His journey began when the Atlanta Thrashers selected him in the seventh round (203rd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. After playing for six years professionally, he transitioned to become an official.
Samuels-Thomas hails from West Hartford, Connecticut. He started his hockey career with the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before joining the Bowling Green Falcons at Bowling Green State University for the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons. Later, he transferred to Quinnipiac University, where he played for the Quinnipiac Bobcats men's ice hockey team during the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons.
Over his four years of college hockey, Samuels-Thomas participated in 148 games, scoring 50 goals, contributing 54 assists, and accumulating 162 penalty minutes. Graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2013 with a Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism and a Masters in Sports Media, Jordan excelled as part of the nationally ranked Men's Ice Hockey Team, accumulating 104 points (50g-54a) in 148 NCAA games.
Following his senior season, he was traded from the Winnipeg Jets to the Buffalo Sabres in July 2014. Jordan played in the AHL for four seasons with teams like the Rochester Americans, Ontario Reign, and the San Diego Gulls, earning the IOA/American Specialty Man of the Year for his community contributions. He played in 195 Regular Season AHL games.
After a European stint, Jordan returned to North America for the 2019-20 Season, earning an ECHL All-Star selection with the Worcester Railers. He retired from hockey in March 2020, shifting his focus to officiating, aspiring to reach the NHL. Jordan trained with former NHL Referee Mike Leggo and made his officiating debut in the fall of 2020 in the United States Hockey League. He later worked in the American Hockey League during the 2020-2021 season.
In the summer of 2021, the National Hockey League called on Jordan to serve as a contracted minor league referee. Attending his first NHL officials training camp in Buffalo, NY, Jordan completed another 'full circle' moment in his young officiating career, reminiscent of his early days as an NHL prospect.
For the 2021–22 season, he secured a minor-league contract with the NHL, participating in several preseason games alongside experienced officials. His inaugural NHL game took place on April 14, 2022, officiating the match between the San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Jordan Samuels-Thomas Salary
Unfortunately, specific salary information for NHL referees like Jordan Samuels-Thomas is confidential. Samuels-Thomas is still relatively new as an NHL referee, having officiated his first game in April 2022.
Like all NHL officials, Samuels-Thomas has a contract with the league that outlines his compensation. The details of this contract are confidential, but it likely falls within the standard range for rookie referees. NHL referees' salaries can vary depending on experience, performance, and other factors.
However, as a general estimate, rookie referees typically earn between $150,000 and $300,000 per year. Based on these factors and the average NHL referee salary range of $150,000 to $300,000 annually, it's reasonable to estimate that Jordan Samuels-Thomas's current salary falls somewhere within this range.
FAQ's On Jordan Samuels-Thomas Salary
A. Jordan Samuels-Thomas is known as both a former professional hockey player and a current NHL referee.
A. Jordan began his professional hockey journey after being selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the seventh round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
A. Jordan hails from West Hartford, Connecticut, and played college hockey at Bowling Green State University and Quinnipiac University.
A. Jordan scored 104 points (50 goals and 54 assists) in 148 NCAA games during his college hockey career.
A. Jordan officiated his first NHL game on April 14, 2022, in a match between the San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks.
