John Smits was born in Port Colborne in 1955. He lived just outside the border in Wainfleet for most of his life until moving into Port Colborne in the 1970s. John played hockey in the Port Colborne / Wainfleet Minor Hockey Association until the age of 15. At 15 years of age, he started his 45-year long career as an Ontario Minor Hockey/Port Colborne Minor Hockey referee and linesman, and at age 20 had achieved his Level 4 referee status with Hockey Canada.
During his career with the OMHA, John acted as both a referee and linesman for all age groups and many international tournaments throughout Ontario. John was also a linesman in the Air Canada Cup 2 and an Ontario Minor Hockey Referee Supervisor for 10 years. John was involved in the OHA/OHL for all categories of Jr Hockey (including Major Jr. A) as well as Intermediate A and Senior A (including the Port Colborne Sailors and Welland Steelers). He was also a 3-time Linesman for the All-Ontario Championships Jr. B and Intermediate A. John also was selected as a referee and linesman for the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) for both the Ontario and Canadian Championships. His officiating career was highlighted working for 2 seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a linesman for the St. Catharine’s Saints.
