The National Hockey League and the greater hockey community are mourning an unimaginable loss today with word that former NHL referee Bill Friday has passed away at the age of 91.
A statement released by the National Hockey League in regards to Friday's passing included the following:
«The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Bill Friday, a standout Referee who served as the first president of the NHL Officials' Association while working as an NHL Referee from 1960–61 to 1971–72. Mr. Friday's tenure with the League included 542 games (498 in the regular season and 44 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs) and two All-Star Games (1967–68 and 1970–71). We send our deepest condolences to the Friday family and the many friends and colleagues that Bill touched during his outstanding officiating career."
Friday is the only official to have been lucky enough to referee an Avco Cup in the World Hockey association as well as a Stanley Cup in the NHL. A Hamilton, ON, native, he was honoured with the naming of an arena, the Bill Friday Lawfield Arena in East Hamilton.
Those of us here at Blade of Steel offer our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Friday and to those he touched and impacted during his career and throughout his life.
