Sources: NHL Official Borrowed Money From Referees

Improper Loans Behind Van Hellemond Resignation?

ANDY VAN HELLEMOND resigned last week as NHL Dir of Officiating “because he had borrowed cash from a few of the league’s on-ice officials,” according to sources of Tim Wharnsby of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. The league “knew Van Hellemond had been borrowing the money –- as little as $100 in some cases but believed to be as much as $10,000 in others -– before the Stanley Cup final, but chose not to announce that he was stepping down” until last Friday. The situation started at the annual meeting of the officials’ association in Las Vegas in June, where several on-ice officials “expressed their concern that Van Hellemond was currying favour with the referees who were lending him money, giving them prime playoff assignments.” But one source said, “Van Hellemond didn’t do anything illegal and he has since paid back the loans. He just made a very bad decision” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 7/13).