Podcast: Retirement calls for NLL reffing G.O.A.T. and longtime Red Deerian Todd Labranche

Growing up in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, playing minor lacrosse for the Surrey Rebels, there’s no way he could have known that one day, he would grow up to be the G.O.A.T. of officiating in the National Lacrosse League.

Labranche, who has called Red Deer home for close to 15 years, announced this week he is retiring from active duty with the NLL.

Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001 — that was game one, and it was in Vancouver where the now-defunct Ravens were hosting the Philadelphia Wings.

Saturday, April 18, 2026 — game 491, at the same arena in Vancouver, where the local Warriors squadron was hosting, you guessed it, the Philly Wings.

He’s reffed more games than any player has played games, by a long shot. The 43-year-old Matt Vinc has that honour with 377 games going into the latest NLL post-season, which begins this weekend.

“A couple of people, when they found out it was my last game, they came to me and they said, ‘You know, you’re leaving this game in better shape than when you came into it.’ That really touched my heart, and means a lot to me that I could have that kind of impact, not only with younger officials, but on the game itself,” Labranche tells rdnewsNOW and The Everything Red Deer Podcast.

“It was really eye-opening, that statement being made to me by more than one person. [This sport] gets into your blood and it just never leaves. The lacrosse community is fairly small, but it’s very tight-knit and to have that kind of an impact is truly something that I’m very proud of.”

Labranche admits he hardly ever took the booing or the jawing directed at him as a personal attack.

That’s probably why he was able to have some fun in the moment, across his 424 regular season and 67 playoff games.

Take this viral moment of humility, for example, from the 2024-25 season:

@espn Appreciate the ref’s honesty 😭 @NLL #funny #lax ♬ original sound – ESPN

Or perhaps this even more famous quip from Labranche:

Labranche explains je was content and satisfied to have his final game be one in the regular season, given the location and matchup made it feel like a full-circle moment. And that’s why he isn’t headed out on the road for one more NLL postseason.

“It’s a bit surreal. After 25 seasons, and for the most part since 2008, being part of the playoff crew, it’s a bit overwhelming to think there will be some game going on and I’ll just get to sit back and be a fan,” he says.

“I’ll absolutely be rooting for my fellow officials, and if they want to reach out to pick my brain, my door’s always open, my phone’s always available. Yeah, I’ll be watching.”

During his final game, the Vancouver Warriors and NLL honoured Labranche. You can watch some highlights below:

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by Josh Hall

Podcast: Retirement calls for NLL reffing G.O.A.T. and longtime Red Deerian Todd Labranche

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