Milton, Ontario, Canada
Milton, Ontario, Canada

Leon Stickle - Builder (Ice Hockey) - Class of 2019

Leon Stickle spent his entire life in hockey, starting out as a young minor player, before his esteemed 27-year career as an NHL linesman.

After starting with the Sarnia Junior “B” Legionnaires, Leon also excelled for several seasons with the O.H.A. Junior “C” Milton Merchants hockey team, where in 1965-66 he was among the team scoring leaders.

During his NHL career, Leon officiated six Stanley Cup finals, 2,069 regular season games, 206 playoff games, two Canada Cups, the 1979 Challenge Cup and Rendez-vous ’87.

He also officiated four NHL All-Star Games, including 1975 in Montreal, 1978 in Buffalo, NY, 1983 in Long Island, NY, and 1997 in San Jose, CA.

After retiring as an NHL linesman in 1998, Leon joined the Western Professional Hockey League, where he spent three seasons as supervisor of officials before being named director of officiating in 2000. He was then named NHL’s supervisor of officials in 2003.

Leon continues to be involved in hockey today working with the Ontario Hockey League and Central Hockey League to develop younger officials starting out in their careers.