Career
Born in Toronto and raised in Guelph, Ontario, Asselstine"s National Hockey League officiating career started in 1979 after a long outstanding career with the WHA and ended in 1998. During his career (in which he wore a helmet from the mid-1980s until his retirement), he officiated 2,002 regular season games (both WHA and National Hockey League), 92 National Hockey League playoff games, and three All-Star games. From the 1994-1995 National Hockey League 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 6-foot-2, 225 lb 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 (a distance of some 12 feet).
The fan was then taken into custody. His award was presented by Governor General Michaëlle Jean.
