Category
Builder
Sport
Hockey
Hometown
Shippagan
Year Inducted
2016
builder
Bernard DeGrâce
HONOURED MEMBER
Biography
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.
Quick Facts
First NB referee to be hired by the National Hockey League
Officiated over 980 hockey games including 350 NHL games
Worked professionally in the AHL and NHL from 1989 - 2002
Led many hockey officials training camps in NB and beyond