Swede Knox

Thomas Warren "Swede" Knox (March 2, 1948 – March 22, 2021) was a National Hockey League (NHL) linesman. He officiated over 2,248 NHL games, starting in 1972, and wore a helmet from the mid-1980s until his retirement in 2000. He also officiated five Stanley Cup Finals, the 1987 Canada Cup and one NHL All-Star Game.

Early life Knox was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. As a youth, he was a longtime member of the equipment staff for the Edmonton Oil Kings, His brother, Jim, was a goaltender for the Oil Kings' 1966 Memorial Cup championship.

Knox once filled in as referee during a game in Toronto in the early 1990s, when Don Koharski could not finish the game.

It is unknown what number Knox wore on his striped officiating jersey when the nameplates were changed back to numbers in .

Personal life Knox graduated from Athabasca University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Administration degree.

Knox died of cancer March 22, 2021.