Garrett Rank has gotten the call to the big leagues.
The 27-year-old Elmira-native will officiate his first NHL game on Thursday in Buffalo, when the Sabres host the Minnesota Wild.
Garrett, who played Junior B hockey with the Waterloo Siskins and Elmira Sugar Kings, spent most of last season officiating OHL games, including the OHL Championship series and Memorial Cup. This fall he signed a contract with the NHL which will see him assigned to both AHL and NHL games.
Along with his recent success as a referee, Rank is coming off of a big year on the golf course. He captured the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship this past fall and, by doing so, has qualified for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open.