Ron Asselstine

Ron “Bear” Asselstine: Born in Toronto/1946. Raised in, and still resides in Guelph, Ont. with wife, Wendy, and family. Officiating Career: Guelph Minor Hockey Referee’s Assn.(1969-72), OHA “Major Junior “A” (1970-72): Officiated (linesman) OHA Championship Finals’72 between Peterborough Petes, and Toronto Marlies. Officiated Memorial Cup’72 in Ottawa. Turned pro in Sept/72 with World Hockey Assn. as Ref/linesman (1972-79): Regular season (612 games), Playoffs (117 games). First WHA game (Sept/72) Alberta Oilers vs Ottawa Nationals. Last WHA Game(May/79) Winnipeg Jets @ Edmonton Oilers. Worked (linesman) seven consecutive World Avco Cup Finals (1972-79).Two WHA All-Star Games: Quebec City’72, and Edmonton’79. Int’l Series: USSR vs Quebec, Indianapolis, Edmonton, and Czechoslovakia vs Winnipeg. NHL Career as linesman: Regular season (1364 games) Playoffs (86 games). First NHL game (Oct./79): Winnipeg Jets@Pittsburgh Penguins with Bruce Hood, and Will Norris. Final game (April/97): Washington Capitals@Buffalo Sabres with Mick McGeough, and Ray Scapinello. Qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs seventeen years in a row.(1979-96). Three NHL All-Star Games: Edmonton’89, Boston’96, San Jose’97. Worked First Outdoor Game “Heritage” Game in Edmonton/2003 with Andy Van Hellemond, and Ron Fournier. Interests: Guelph Wish Fund for Children, Co-Founder and Treasurer(1984-2010). Recognition and Awards: Guelph Sports Hall of Fame (2005), NASO “Gold Whistle”/94, Prime Minister of Canada Citation, Sertoma Intn’l “Service to Mankind” Award, Rotary Club “Paul Harris Fellowship”, City of Guelph “Mayor’s Award” Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Queen’s Sovereign Medal.