A delighted Alexei Anisimov reacted to the news: “Of course, I am overjoyed that I have been entrusted with refereeing the All-Star Game. Such a big career milestone is a recognition of my hard work, so I thank the management very much for their faith in me. We referees are rewarded for our labors, but the game itself is a festival for the players and fans, and, not the officials. Our main task is to stay in the background, although, if I am allowed, I will try to add some flavor to the occasion. I have watched every All-Star Game, keeping a keen eye on the officials, and I recall one particular colleague in sunglasses, another performing a dance... Well, something just as exciting might happen.” 

Rafael Kadyrov added: “I am filled with happiness and other positive emotions. For a long time, I have wanted to referee the All-Star Game and be a part of this great hockey event. At least in this game the coaches and players will be kind to us. We will get together on the eve of the game and discuss how we are going to enforce the law, and how we might surprise the audience. There are certain to be surprises, but all will be kept secret until 17:00 on the 23rd of January.” 

The roll of honor for referees and linesmen who have dispensed justice in the KHL All-Star Game is as follows: 

2009. Moscow. Red Square. Vyacheslav Bulanov, Alexei Gorsky, Alexander Clurkin, Sergei Selyanin 

2010. Minsk. Arena Minsk. Vyacheslav Bulanov, Anatoly Zakharov, Ivan Dedula, Yury Oskirko 

2011. Saint Petersburg. Ice Palace. Alexander Antropov, Anatoly Zakharov, Victor Birin, Roman Shikhanov 

2012. Riga. Arena Riga. Sergei Semyonov, Sergei Feofanov Sergei Shelyanin, Ansis Eglitis 

2013. Chelyabinsk. Arena Traktor. Vyacheslav Bulanov, Konstantin Olenin, Konstantin Gordenko, Sergei Shelyanin 

2014. Bratislava. Slovnaft Arena. Eduard Odins, Konstantin Olenin, Victor Birin, Alexander Zakharenkov 

2015. Sochi. Bolshoy Ice Dome. Sergei Karabanov, Alexander Cherenkov, Pyotr Alyoshin, Victor Tomilov