Ron Asselstine


Ron Asselstine is a retired National Hockey League linesman.
Born in Toronto and raised in Guelph, Ontario, Asselstine's NHL officiating career started in 1979 after a long outstanding career with the WHA and ended in 1998. During his career, he officiated 2,002 regular season games, 92 NHL playoff games, and three All-Star games. From the 1994-95 NHL season until his retirement, he wore uniform number 38. An imposing man, Asselstine's nickname on the ice was "Bear". This nickname was given to him for his no-nonsense attitude in policing fights, and his, body.
On January 28, 1989, at the Boston Garden, when a fan came onto the ice during a game, Asselstine charged him from behind near the goal line, sending the fan sailing into the end boards. The fan, Frank Baro, 22, was then handcuffed by Boston Police and taken into custody, and was charged with trespassing.
Asselstine was honoured in 2007 with the Caring Canadian Award for his work as founder of the Guelph Wish Fund for Children.
His award was presented by Governor General Michaëlle Jean.
He recently has an operation to remove a toe because of blood clots.