Furman South is a former standout hockey player, Hall of Famer, and current NHL referee. South hails from the small town of Sewickley, located just outside of Pittsburgh, with a population of under 4,000 people. His hockey journey began in childhood and extended to Junior A, where he played for the EJHL’s Bay State Breakers. Excelling both on the ice and academically, South earned an NCAA Division 1 scholarship at Robert Morris University, graduating with a Biology degree. Despite being accepted to medical school, his passion for hockey led him to explore coaching and eventually officiating, a path that felt natural to him.
Following participation in the NHL Exposure Combine, he seized the opportunity to work within the USA Hockey junior program. Progressing through the ranks, South officiated in the NAHL, USHL, and AHL, and earned a minor league referee contract in the summer of 2016. Furman South achieved a significant milestone in his officiating career when he officiated his first NHL game on April 6, 2017. The game featured a matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and the Arizona Coyotes, marking a memorable moment for South as he stepped onto the ice at the highest level of professional hockey.
Furman South’s Salary
Unfortunately, specific salary information for individual NHL referees like Furman South is not publicly available due to confidentiality agreements between the NHL Officials Association (NHLOA) and the NHL. However, NHL referees, especially those with several years of experience, can command competitive salaries, with some top officials reportedly making upwards of $400,000 per year. Given Furman South's extensive experience and career milestones, including his promotion to full-time NHL status, his salary is likely within the upper range for experienced referees, potentially exceeding $300,000 per year.
Furman South’s Achievements
A series of groundbreaking achievements have marked Furman South's remarkable hockey journey. A standout player for Quaker Valley, South achieved several firsts, including skating on the first state championship hockey team in the program's history. His dominance is evident in numerous statistical records, ranking first in categories such as most goals in a season, career goals, hat tricks in a season, and hat tricks in a career. South's excellence continued as he became the first QV player to reach 100 points in a season. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first and only former QV hockey player hired as a full-time NHL referee. Further adding to his accolades, South became the first hockey player in school history to be voted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor recognizing his outstanding contributions to the sports.
FAQ's On Furman South Salary
A. Furman South's hockey journey includes playing on Quaker Valley's first state championship team, achieving multiple statistical records, and becoming the first former QV player hired as a full-time NHL referee.
A. Furman South became the first QV player to reach 100 points in a season, leading in various statistical categories, and being the inaugural QV hockey player voted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame.
A. After considering medical school and exploring coaching, Furman South found officiating to be a natural fit. His journey included participation in the NHL Exposure Combine, working within the USA Hockey junior program, and progressing through officiating ranks in the NAHL, USHL, and AHL.
A. Furman South officiated his first NHL game on April 6, 2017, featuring a matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and the Arizona Coyotes, marking a significant milestone in his officiating career.
A. Unfortunately, specific salary details for Furman South and individual NHL referees are confidential. However, experienced NHL referees reportedly earn $300,000+, based on service and achievements.
