RYAN GALLOWAY
Date of Induction: 2026-10-03A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ryan Galloway began officiating hockey at age 12 in the St. James area. What started as a part-time job quickly became a passion, and Galloway soon set his sights on becoming an NHL official. He worked his way through every level of Hockey Manitoba, developing a reputation for dedication and consistency.
When the original NHL Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix in 1996, the arrival of the Minnesota Moose of the International Hockey League (IHL) created a new opportunity for local officials. Galloway was selected to join the IHL as a linesman while continuing to officiate in Manitoba’s top junior leagues.
Following the IHL’s merger with the American Hockey League in 2000, Galloway continued advancing his career. In 2002, at age 30, he earned a minor-league contract with the National Hockey League. He officiated his first NHL game, a pre-season matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers in 2002. After splitting the following season between the AHL and NHL, he became a full-time NHL linesman in 2003.
Over 22 seasons, Galloway officiated 1,409 NHL games, including Stanley Cup Playoff games, the 2022 Global Series, and four outdoor games, highlighted by the 2016 Heritage Classic in Winnipeg.
A defining moment came October 9, 2011, when Galloway officiated the first home game of the returning Winnipeg Jets. The crew featured three Winnipeg natives: referee Rob Martell and linesmen Galloway and Vaughan Rody.
Galloway continues to support the growth of young Manitoba hockey officials.