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. 

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.