John D'Amico, 67, hockey linesman in Hall of Fame

TORONTO -- John D'Amico, a Hockey Hall of Fame linesman who spent 23 years officiating before joining the NHL front office, died of leukemia Sunday. He was 67.

''John D'Amico brought a passion and dedication to his profession both on the ice as a linesman and later as a supervisor of officials," said Jim Gregory, NHL executive vice president.

''A true testament to John's legacy is the respect that players, general managers, coaches, fellow officials, and fans had for him."

Mr. D'Amico was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. He started as a referee, officiating his first game in 1964. After 22 games in that job, he became a linesman.

Mr. D'Amico worked 1,689 regular-season games, 247 playoff games, 52 Stanley Cup final games, and six international hockey series.

He left the ice in 1987 to become the NHL's supervisor of officials.

''John became like a father to me," former co-worker Pat Dapuzzo told Canadian Press.

''Most times you watch the sports classics TV and it's a big game, you always see John out there," Dapuzzo said.

''I had the Wayne Gretzky of linesmen as my teammate," said Dapuzzo.