[NYer]

From Legends of Hockey

Referee / Linesman Category

For three decades Andy Van Hellemond patrolled the ice for the National Hockey League as one of the premier referees in hockey. In 1996 after officiating in 19 of the last 20 Stanley Cup Finals, Andy Van Hellemond hung up his skates and his striped jersey for what he thought would be the last time.

After playing junior hockey as a centre, Van Hellemond began officiating minor-league games in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. After working two years in the Western Hockey League, Van Hellemond signed a minor-league contract with the National Hockey League in 1970. After famed official Bruce Hood hurt his knee early in the 1972-73 season, Andy Van Hellemond refereed his first NHL game season at the tender age of 23. During the course of the next 25 seasons, Van Hellemond redefined the role of the official. An amazing 14 consecutive times, Van Hellemond was ranked as the NHL's #1 referee. He also holds the record for most regular season games (1,475), playoff games (227), and Stanley Cup Final appearances (19).

Andy Van Hellemond officiated in two All-Star games, the 1979 Challenge Cup Series and Rendez-Vouz '87. Van Hellemond also served as President of the Officials Association.

On June 8, 1996, Andy Van Hellemond dropped the puck for the last time in the National Hockey League; game three of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals in Miami, Florida. The Colorado Avalanche was playing the Florida Panthers. Van Hellemond was scheduled to officiate Game 5, but the Avalanche had different thoughts. The Av's captured their first Stanley Cup in Miami a couple of days later in four games.

The 1996-97 season saw Van Hellemond in a different role as Senior Vice-President of the East Coast Hockey League overseeing league and player operations. What goes around comes around in the world of hockey! AndyHellemond had to lace up his skates one more time during a ECHL game, Van as one of the officials scheduled to officiate the game couldn't make it, forcing Andy back into his "Gone but not forgotten" familiar role in hockey.

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An avid hockey fan, especially from the 70's and 80's, I also became a fan of NHL Referee, Andy Van Hellemond. Anyone else remember him?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Not a hockey fan, but sports history is always interesting.

So BTTT

[Colonel_Flagg]

Van Hellemond was a good referee. Generally regarded as the best in the league when I followed the league very closely in the early 80s.

This, of course, was in the era of Wally “No-Call” Harris and “Turn ‘Em Loose” Bruce Hood.

[Pompah]

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.