Sometime in the early 70’s at a Western Hockey League play off game in San Diego Van Hellemond refereed a bruising game
between the San Diego Gulls and the Portland team (can’t remember what they called themselves).
I was sitting in row 3 next to the penalty box when he called a cross checking penalty on Connie Madigan.
who was known in those days as “Man Dog Madigan” and he did
not like the call. As Van Hellemond was leaving the penalty
Judges area he skated too close to Connie Madigan who spun
around and smacked the Referee flush in the face knocking
him OUT.! You could have heard a pin drop for about a two
count and then 13,000 plus fans went berserk.
the “Mad Dog” was suspended on the spot and faced a hefty
fine. Andy Vany Hellemond got back on his skates and finished the game. Most Hockey fans don’t care much for the
boys in the stripped shirts. but that night a lot of minds
were changed. I followed Andy’s career for a few years.
Always admired the man.
Thanks for sharing that eventful story! Referees are as much a part of the game as the players. They take similar risks on the ice, but lack comparable compensation.
While referee-bashing is a popular pastime in sports, it seems like is every sport there is always one (or perhaps a few) officials who grow to be universally respected. Van Hellemond is one of these rare few.