Born Ernest Sidney Leacock in Wood Green, North London in March 1906 – as he often put it, “a penny bus ride,” from the site of the future Harringay Arena, Ernie Leacock was raised in Banff, Alberta as his family emigrated to Canada with Ernie just two years old.
By the time he was twenty years of age, Ernie was playing professional hockey in the Pacific Coast League, and over the course of the eight years spanning 1926 to 1934, he played defence for Victoria, Tacoma, Portland and Saskatoon. Returning to Britain in 1934, he tried out with the Wembley Lions, but signed for the Richmond Hawks.
In February 1935, Ernie Leacock was selected for the Great Britain squad to compete in the world championships, however the Canadians protested that he was not eligible due to not having served the then necessary three-year period as a reinstated amateur. When the protest was upheld, Ernie decided to retire from playing and take up refereeing, a role in which he performed with great distinction over the following thirty years.
Ernie Leacock officiated in over two thousand senior games and became highly respected by players, fans and his fellow officials. He gave great help and encouragement to the post-war generation of British referees and although he stood no nonsense on the ice, he was always prepared to give a player the benefit of the doubt.
He refereed at the world championships in 1950 and 1951, held in London and Paris respectively before the highlight of his career in 1952, when at the tournament staged in Oslo Norway he had the honour of being the first professional referee to officiate at the Winter Olympics.
Ernie Leacock poignantly retired from refereeing and hung up his skates for the last time on May 23rd, 1965 after officiating in the last ever game at the Brighton Sports Stadium.
For his services to ice hockey as a referee, Ernest Sidney ‘Ernie’ Leacock, who died in 1977, was inducted into the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.
Compiled with research, provided by Martin C.Harris – March 1987.
Read More
