Anyone that has had the , skates laced-up for decades knows what the feeling is like when you have your career come to an end, either by your own doing or forced retirement in some cases.
You lace them up sometimes two or three times a day, but life at the pro level means travel, time away from your Family and a dedication to the game unlike no other and that’s a feeling only you as the referee knows.
Pro officials spend selfish hours away from home and the long walk to the ice each night only to be showed a level of disrespect from those who simply don’t know the game is something they will never understand – but as an official you do!
The NHL see’s another one of its members of the officiating department leave after an outstanding 21 year career and while he’s unsure of what the future holds he mentions “Just the awesome feeling of being part of such a special game and a special group of guys.”
He officiated his first NHL game that featured a matchup between rival squads the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals and worked his last NHL game Sunday in Los Angeles.
In attendance with him was his wife, Nancy, and two teenage daughters, Mikah and Kielle, who were on hand to watch Dad’s last game.
In a show of class the Kings organization did a video tribute for him and his Family prior to the game and when it was over players from both teams offered him congratulations on his final game.
As with a small group of sports athletes respect means everything and following the game several players as well fellow officials drop by.
Leggo officiated for 1,213 regular season games and 42 playoff games and as he mentioned “I’m satisfied, I guess, is the best way to put it and in our business we’re not used to getting a lot of accolades, and everything we do get we kind of like to flip off to other people, and deservedly so. Nobody gets where I’m at or has the career I’ve had without lots of support, so I was really proud and happy for them to be recognized and honoured in such classy fashion by the Los Angeles Kings.”
Although he has been living in California for some years now he always tells people he’s a Newfoundlander in his head and heart.
He’s not sure what the future holds now that he’s retired, but he prepared himself for the day when his body told him it was time to put the whistle away and recently he completed a master’s degree in sports management so he hopes to put that to good use before long.
He ended his career with two knee braces, which wasn’t from anything that happened during a game and more with wear and tear on the body over the years and he has scars/stitches he required, and as have others suffered with broken ribs.
Assuming he plans a trip back to the Rock and has never forgotten the people who stayed up late to watch him do his thing for more than two decades.
He’s leaving the game healthy and happy, so he’s thankful for everything the game provided him and his family.
Thanks for your dedication to the game and all the best, but no doubt we’ll see you at the rink!!
Career highlights
– 21 NHL seasons
– 1,213 regular season games
– 42 Stanley Cup playoff games
– 2000 NHL preseason games in Japan
– 2007 all-star game in Dallas
– 2010 NHL Premiere Series in Europe
– 2011 Heritage Classic in Calgary
