As a person who thrived on challenges, Bernard DeGrâce of Shippagan proved his abilities by becoming the first referee from NB to be hired by the National Hockey League. During his career DeGrâce officiated over 980 hockey games including 350 NHL games with tremendous enthusiasm. He was born and brought up in the Acadian Peninsula and started refereeing while completing his university degree at the University of Moncton. In addition to quickly making it to the highest level of professional hockey, he led many official development schools in the Acadian Peninsula and elsewhere in Canada, where he inspired other NB officials to believe in themselves and follow in his footsteps.