nivek_wahs
03-16-2006, 12:41 AM
Canadian Press (via tsn.ca)
3/15/2006 6:40:04 PM
MONTREAL (CP) - Grey Cup winner and Hall of Fame hockey referee Red Storey died Wednesday. He was 88.
Storey, who had been in poor health recently, had been in a Montreal nursing home since December. He was considered one of the best referees of his day, but is perhaps best remembered for his colourful personality.
He officiated seven straight Stanley Cup finals between 1952 and 1958, but abruptly resigned in 1959 after NHL president Clarence Campbell said Storey ''choked'' while calling a game at Chicago Stadium.
Stung by the criticism, Storey quit after hearing Campbell's comments and never worked for the league again, despite fielding calls from people around the NHL asking him to return.
Storey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967.
''Red Storey brought passion, dedication and enthusiasm to each and every game as an NHL referee,'' NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. ''Long after his retirement as an on-ice official, he continued to serve as one of the truly great ambassadors for the game in his travels around North America officiating charitable games.
''On behalf of the NHL family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Bunny and sons Bob and Doug.''
Born March 5, 1918, in Barrie, Ont., Roy Alvin Storey grew up playing several sports, including hockey, lacrosse, baseball and football.
Football was his first love and he turned professional at the age of 18, signing with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts. He won Grey Cups with the Argos in 1937 and 1938.
Those who knew him say that Storey used to hitchhike between his home in Barrie and Toronto while playing for the Argonauts.
It hardly affected his performance. In one 1938 game, Storey came off the bench in the fourth quarter and rushed for three touchdowns and 102 yards in a comeback win over Winnipeg.
Storey was scouted by the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, but his football career ended when he suffered a serious knee injury in 1941.
He then turned his attention towards hockey and was hired by the NHL in 1950. Storey became known around the league for calling a fair and being able to make everyone smile.
''They try to take the personalities out of the game now,'' former NHL referee Ron Hoggarth told AM640, a Toronto radio station. ''When he worked, he was a character.''
After resigning from the NHL, Storey remained active in the game. He did radio and TV commentary and participated in old-timers' games across North America.
Storey was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1991 and inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
Over 25 years, he was a referee at the highest levels of hockey, football and lacrosse and has been honoured for his work in all three sports.
Robin Burns, an NHL forward in the 1970s who is part-owner of Mission Itech hockey equipment, called Storey ''an incredible, incredible man.
''You could put him in the top five Canadian athletes of all time.''
Burns grew up on the same street where Storey had lived for decades in the Notre Dame de Grace district of Montreal and later worked with him at charity old-timers games and other events.
''His personality was so unbelievable,'' said Burns. ''I think he was named to the Order of Canada more for his charitable contributions than for his accomplishments in sports.
''He was probably one of the best after-dinner speakers. He got paid for some, but he probably did two or three times that amount for free.''
Funeral details were not immediately available.
3/15/2006 6:40:04 PM
MONTREAL (CP) - Grey Cup winner and Hall of Fame hockey referee Red Storey died Wednesday. He was 88.
Storey, who had been in poor health recently, had been in a Montreal nursing home since December. He was considered one of the best referees of his day, but is perhaps best remembered for his colourful personality.
He officiated seven straight Stanley Cup finals between 1952 and 1958, but abruptly resigned in 1959 after NHL president Clarence Campbell said Storey ''choked'' while calling a game at Chicago Stadium.
Stung by the criticism, Storey quit after hearing Campbell's comments and never worked for the league again, despite fielding calls from people around the NHL asking him to return.
Storey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967.
''Red Storey brought passion, dedication and enthusiasm to each and every game as an NHL referee,'' NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. ''Long after his retirement as an on-ice official, he continued to serve as one of the truly great ambassadors for the game in his travels around North America officiating charitable games.
''On behalf of the NHL family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Bunny and sons Bob and Doug.''
Born March 5, 1918, in Barrie, Ont., Roy Alvin Storey grew up playing several sports, including hockey, lacrosse, baseball and football.
Football was his first love and he turned professional at the age of 18, signing with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts. He won Grey Cups with the Argos in 1937 and 1938.
Those who knew him say that Storey used to hitchhike between his home in Barrie and Toronto while playing for the Argonauts.
It hardly affected his performance. In one 1938 game, Storey came off the bench in the fourth quarter and rushed for three touchdowns and 102 yards in a comeback win over Winnipeg.
Storey was scouted by the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, but his football career ended when he suffered a serious knee injury in 1941.
He then turned his attention towards hockey and was hired by the NHL in 1950. Storey became known around the league for calling a fair and being able to make everyone smile.
''They try to take the personalities out of the game now,'' former NHL referee Ron Hoggarth told AM640, a Toronto radio station. ''When he worked, he was a character.''
After resigning from the NHL, Storey remained active in the game. He did radio and TV commentary and participated in old-timers' games across North America.
Storey was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1991 and inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
Over 25 years, he was a referee at the highest levels of hockey, football and lacrosse and has been honoured for his work in all three sports.
Robin Burns, an NHL forward in the 1970s who is part-owner of Mission Itech hockey equipment, called Storey ''an incredible, incredible man.
''You could put him in the top five Canadian athletes of all time.''
Burns grew up on the same street where Storey had lived for decades in the Notre Dame de Grace district of Montreal and later worked with him at charity old-timers games and other events.
''His personality was so unbelievable,'' said Burns. ''I think he was named to the Order of Canada more for his charitable contributions than for his accomplishments in sports.
''He was probably one of the best after-dinner speakers. He got paid for some, but he probably did two or three times that amount for free.''
Funeral details were not immediately available.