Mickey Ion
Canadian lacrosse player and ice hockey referee, Hall of Fame inductee.
Frederick James 'Mickey' Ion was a Canadian professional lacrosse player and ice hockey referee. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, one of the first three referees to be so honoured, and served as referee-in-chief of both the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey League.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 1961 (Official)
- Birth Date
- 1886-02-25
- Birth Place
- Paris, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 1964-10-26
- Death Place
- Seattle, Washington, United States
- Career Start
- 1909
- Career End
- 1942
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ion began as a professional lacrosse player with the Toronto Tecumsehs in 1909. He signed with the Vancouver Lacrosse Club team in 1911, which was run by hockey entrepreneurs Lester Patrick and Frank Patrick. When they started the Pacific Coast Hockey Association in 1911, they hired several of their lacrosse players—Ion among them—to referee the league's games. He quickly became the league's chief referee, known as an iron man who officiated as many as four or five games in a week throughout western Canada.
Ion joined the Western Canada Hockey League as senior official when the PCHA folded in 1924, and the National Hockey League in 1926 when the western loop folded. He was later named referee-in-chief of the NHL, a position he held until 1942. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961.
Among his innovations was the first known season-ending All-Star team, the naming of which was a regular practice of his from then on and received much publicity each year. His first such selection, in the 1913–14 PCHA season, included Hugh Lehman in goal, Ernie Johnson and Frank Patrick on defence, Cyclone Taylor as rover, and Tom Dunderdale, Eddie Oatman and Dubbie Kerr at forward.
Reader's Guide
Mickey Ion's significance lies in his pioneering role as a referee in early professional hockey. He was one of the first three referees inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, reflecting his impact on the game's officiating. His career spanned the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, the Western Canada Hockey League, and the National Hockey League, where he served as referee-in-chief until 1942. Ion is credited with creating the first known season-ending All-Star team, a practice he continued regularly and which garnered much publicity. His selection for the 1913–14 PCHA season set a precedent for recognizing top players. As an iron man, he officiated multiple games weekly across western Canada, demonstrating the demanding nature of early hockey officiating. His legacy includes his transition from professional lacrosse to hockey officiating, a path shared by other players of the era.
Did You Know?
- He created the first known season-ending All-Star team in the 1913–14 PCHA season.
- Ion was handed a 10-day jail sentence in 1909 for kicking a fellow lacrosse player in the face during a game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mickey Ion?
Mickey Ion was a Canadian professional who first competed in lacrosse before becoming one of the most respected ice hockey referees of his era. He is best remembered as an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
What role did Mickey Ion hold in professional hockey?
He served as the referee-in-chief for both the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey League, overseeing officiating standards in each league. His NHL tenure in that capacity continued until 1942.
When was Mickey Ion inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?
He was elected as an Honoured Member in 1961, which made him one of only the first three referees ever to receive that distinction.
What was Mickey Ion's background before he became a hockey referee?
Born on February 25, 1886, in Canada, he first made his name as a professional lacrosse player before transitioning into ice hockey officiating.
Why is Mickey Ion important to hockey history?
As one of the earliest referees enshrined in the Hall of Fame, he helped establish officiating as a recognized and respected profession within the sport. His leadership as referee-in-chief across two major leagues set standards that shaped how games were judged for years to come.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players, Part 2 1-24
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