WHISTLE - BLOWER

 NEIL ARMSTRONG: 1932-2020

Former National Hockey League linesman, Neil Armstrong, passed away yesterday (Dec. 6, 2020) at the age of 87. In the obituary released by the family, it's noted that, "He left peacefully ... at Marshall Gowland Manor." The Manor is a nursing home in Sarnia, Ontario, where Armstrong was born in 1932.

Armstrong made his debut as an NHL linesman on November 16, 1957, in a contest at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Boston Bruins were in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs. And it turned out to be a tough assignment for Armstrong. When a stick-swinging duel erupted between Frank Mahovlich and Boston's Leo Labine, a brawl followed, with fisticuffs breaking out all over the ice.

Toronto's George Armstrong (no relation), while being treated for cuts to his knuckles, told reporters, "I took a terrific swing and I think I hit one of my own guys." Labine, who had scratches on his forehead, said, "I wish Mahovlich would cut his fingernails."

It was under these conditions that Armstrong cut-his-teeth in the National Hockey League.

One of the best things that can be said of an on-ice official, is that he went unnoticed while conducting his duties. For the most part, this applied to Armstrong. In fact, he didn't hesitate to go above and beyond the call of duty.

When linesman, Bill Clements, didn't make it to Toronto for a game at Maple Leaf Gardens in early January of 1965, it fell to Armstrong to patrol the lines by himself.

"I am a little tired," said Armstrong. "There was one-stretch, I think in the second period, when we went seven minutes without a whistle. I was wishing someone would do anything to get a whistle."

He was happy, the game didn't resemble his first appearance at Maple Leaf Gardens. "Fortunately, we only had one fight and it didn't develop into much."

In an incredible string of games, from November 1957 to October 1973, Armstrong didn't miss one assignment. In a contest between the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings on October 16, 1973, he broke the record of 1,313 games held by George Hayes. His reward was a cheque in the amount of $1,314.

It was time for Neil "Ironman" Armstrong to be noticed. Praise for his work was documented in a Canadian Press article published on the day of his accomplishment.

This comment came from then NHL referee-in-chief, Scotty Morrison: "Neil's dedication to his profession and pride in his personal performance has always been outstanding. In attaining an excellent rating in all levels of pre-season fitness tests, his example was a tremendous incentive to other members of the staff."

Clarence Campbell, the president of the NHL, weighed in on what Armstrong brought to the table: "He looks and acts like an athlete, and without being a muscle man, is tough and wiry enough to untangle the league's strongest wrestlers. He has an even temperament that seems to have a claiming effect on belligerent players - he commands their respect by the intelligent, alert and dignified manner in which he performs his duties."

As for Armstrong, he remembered his start and how he went about conducting his job: "I realized I wasn't going to make it as a player, so when I was offered a chance to be a linesman in the minor hockey league, I jumped at it ... Each of us (two linesman) work together when a fight breaks out. The worst thing a linesman can do is to give an advantage to an opposing player by holding one player and letting his opponent hit him. We try to get in between the two players and hold them apart."

The NHL Officials Association website shows that when Armstrong retired in August 1978, he took part in 1,744 games. He appeared in ten All-Star Games.

On November 3, 1979, came news that Armstrong would return to the game as a scout for the Montreal Canadiens. He remained in the position for twenty years.

In a statement released by Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner highlighted Armstrong's achievements, "... he totalled almost 2,000 regular season and Stanley Cup Playoff games and a remarkable 18 consecutive years in the Stanley Cup Final from 1960 through 1977 ... He brought integrity, passion and dedication to our game and his influence inspired new generations of officials long after he worked his last game in 1978."

Neil Armstrong was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991. On their Twitter account, the HHOF noted: The Hockey Hall of Fame is saddened to learn of the passing of Honoured Member Neil Armstrong. We offer our condolences to his family and friends.

Hockey is a family affair as Armstrong's son, Doug, is the general manager of the St. Louis Blues.