Coaches Gallant and St. Louis come together to honor NHL referee's 1,500th game

It's not often you get to see an NHL head coach and an NHL referee laughing and smiling together.

Coaches Martin St. Louis (Montreal Canadiens) and Gerard Gallant (New York Rangers) are both fiery individuals and have both had their fair share of contentious moments with the officials. But tonight, St. Louis and Gallant put aside any personal biases to honor referee Marc Joanette who officiated his 1,500th NHL game this evening, a bout between the Habs and Rangers.

How classy is that? 

Nicely done, gentlemen.

Joannette is set to retire after 24 years as an NHL referee April 4, when the Detroit Red Wings visit Montreal. His first game was Oct. 1, 1999.