The Hockey World Mourns The Tragic Loss Of Longtime NHL Referee Who Sadly Passes Away At 77-Years Old
Photo credit: Milton Villager
The NHL has reported today the loss of former referee Leon Stickle, who tragically passed away at the age of 77. Stickle was a 1,000-game referee who officiated six Stanley Cup Finals.
NHL referee Leon Stickle began his hockey career as a referee in 1969, which lasted until 1998.
The former referee was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on April 20th, 1948. His first officiating experience in the NHL was on October 17th, 1970, while wearing a helmet up until his retirement in 1998.
He wore the number #33 his entire career in the NHL, and after his retirement from the NHL, he joined the WPHL before he was promoted to the Director of officiating in July 2000.
Per Wikipedia, in 2007, he was inducted into the Milton Walk of Fame in Ontario, being the first inductee.
In 2007, Stickle was inducted in the inaugural class of the Milton Walk of Fame.[25] In 2019, the Milton Sports Hall of Fame announced that Stickle would be inducted as a builder at its annual induction ceremony.
Leon Stickle Rejoins the NHL in 2003
Stickle would rejoin the NHL in a leadership capacity as the NHL's supervisor of Officials.
After a 27-year career patrolling the blue lines, Stickle joined the Western Professional Hockey League, where he spent three seasons as supervisor of officials before being named director of officiating in July 2000. In 2003, Stickle was hired as the NHL's supervisor of officials.
His hockey career and the NHL are intrinscially tied for life, as he spent more than 27-years patrolling the ice, and then became a key piece behind the scenes for the league.
We send our deepest condolences to the Stickle family during this trying time.
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