John D'Amico (ice hockey)
Last Original Six era on-ice official; Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.
John David D'Amico (September 21, 1937 – May 29, 2005) was a Canadian NHL linesman who later served as a supervisor of officials. Born in Toronto, he graduated from De La Salle College. D'Amico began his NHL career as a referee on October 12, 1964, at age 27, but worked only 19 games before switching to linesman. When he retired after the 1987 season, he was the last on-ice official still active from the Original Six era. Over his career, he officiated 1,689 regular-season games, seven All-Star Games (including the 1979 Challenge Cup and Rendez-vous '87), and 247 Stanley Cup playoff games, 52 of which were Finals. He also worked the Canada Cup. At the time of his retirement after the 1987 season, D'Amico was the last on-ice official active during the Original Six era. In 1988, D'Amico was watching a Leafs game on TV at home when a linesman had to leave a game because of an injury; he arrived at Maple Leaf Gardens and finished the game, marking his final on-ice performance as an NHL linesman. After retiring, he became an NHL supervisor of officials, a role he held until his death. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. His health declined starting in September 2002, when a heart attack led to bypass surgery. Post-surgery tests revealed blood abnormalities and aplastic anemia, which later caused gallstone problems. Shortly before his death, D'Amico made national headlines in Canada by criticizing the country's health care system. He and his wife, Dorothy, had three sons and one daughter.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1937-09-21
- Birth Place
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 2005-05-29
- Occupation
- Ice hockey linesman
- Years Active
- 1964–1988
- Employer
- National Hockey League
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
D'Amico's NHL career began as a referee on October 12, 1964, when he was 27 years old. He refereed only 19 games before becoming a linesman. At the time of his retirement after the 1987 season, D'Amico was the last on-ice official active during the Original Six era. His career included 1,689 regular season games, seven All-Star games (including the 1979 Challenge Cup and Rendez-vous '87), and 247 Stanley Cup playoff games, including 52 Stanley Cup Finals. He also worked the Canada Cup. His last Stanley Cup Finals game was in 1987. In 1988, D'Amico was watching a Leafs game on TV at home when a linesman had to leave a game because of an injury; he arrived at Maple Leaf Gardens and finished the game, marking his final on-ice performance as an NHL linesman.
Reader's Guide
John D'Amico's significance lies in his longevity and role as a bridge between the Original Six era and the modern NHL. He was the last on-ice official still active from that era when he retired after the 1987 season. His career spanned over two decades, during which he officiated 1,689 regular season games, 247 playoff games (including 52 Stanley Cup Finals), and seven All-Star events. After retiring as a linesman, he became a supervisor of officials for the NHL until his death in 2005. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. His final on-ice appearance came in 1988 when he substituted for an injured linesman during a Leafs game. D'Amico also made headlines shortly before his death for speaking out about the poor quality of Canada's health care system, following his own health struggles that began with a heart attack in September 2002.
Did You Know?
- D'Amico refereed only 19 NHL games before becoming a linesman.
- His final on-ice performance was in 1988 when he substituted for an injured linesman at Maple Leaf Gardens.
- He made news headlines across Canada shortly before his death for criticizing the country's health care system.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced