The Official Forum - Red Storey Passes Away

The past week has been a sad day for Canadians.

Original Six and Montreal Canadiens legend Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion passed away last Saturday morning, mere hours before his number was retired and lifted to the rafters alongside his father-in-law's retired jersey.

Today, at the age of 88, one of Canada's greatest athletes died.

"Red Storey brought passion, dedication and enthusiasm to each and every game as an NHL referee," said league commissioner Gary Bettman in a released statement.

"Long after his retirement as an on-ice official, he continued to serve as one of the truly great ambassadors for the game in his travels around North America officiating charitable games.

"On behalf of the NHL family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Bunny, and sons Bob and Doug."

Storey was a multi-sport athlete who played in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts. In the 1938 Grey Cup game, he scored three touchdowns and rushed for 102 yards.

He won two Grey Cups (1937 and 1938) with the Argos before a knee injury in 1941 forced him to retire.

After a brief stint with the Montreal Royals, a minor-league baseball team, Storey became an NHL referee in 1950.

Storey was a colourful and respected official who worked 480 regular-season games and seven consecutive Stanley Cup final series from 1952-58.

He resigned in 1959 after NHL president Clarence Campbell criticized his handling of a Blackhawks-Canadiens playoff contest in Chicago.

He remained close to the game, though, doing commentary work and getting involved in old-timers' games.

Storey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967. He was also made a member of the Order of Canada in 1991.

I've ready Dick Irvin's book called Tough Calls and being Canadian, hockey is in my blood. I also love football. Knowing that Canada produced outstanding athletes and contributors like Red Storey is comforting. Reading about Red in the book reminded me what the work ethic was like in the good ole days.