They chose their own numbers. When a new referee/linesman begins reffing the nhl, he gets to choose one that's not already taken.
The referees have numbers from 2 to 49. The linesmen from 50 to 98. Number 1 and 99 are retired and cannot be chosen.
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in a game there are 4, two linesmen and 2 acuall refs (the ones who call the penalties)
number 4
when six referees came to be.
45
19 and 9 are the two most commonly used numbers in hockey