Alf LeJeune, from North Sydney, became the first Nova Scotian to referee at the NHL level. His refereeing career began in his teens when he decided to help with officiating in Sydney’s minor hockey league.

He began his professional career in 1968, starting in the International Hockey League for seasoning and a baptism by fire he will never forget. He refereed 80 games in what was then a rough and tough circuit. He signed an NHL contract in 1969 and, after three years in the minor professional leagues, he got his break in January 1972 at a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks. He had a great game and the NHL referee-in-chief was happy with his performance. LeJeune stayed in the big leagues for 12 years.