Bernard Degrace

Thriving on challenges, Bernard DeGrâce of Shippagan certainly proved his worth by becoming the first New Brunswick referee hired by the National Hockey League. Over the course of his career, he enthusiastically officiated over 980 hockey games, including 350 NHL games.

Born and raised in the Acadian Peninsula, he began his officiating career while attending university at the Université de Moncton. In addition to quickly reaching the highest level of professional hockey, he led several hockey training schools in his home region and across the country, encouraging other officials in the province to believe in themselves and follow in his footsteps.