Ray Prophet was born and raised in Port Colborne and played competitive hockey from a young age. In the early 1950s, Ray played on Bantam, Midget, and Juvenile Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship teams. In 1953, he was invited to Jr. ‘A’ training camps in Toronto and Hamilton and played for the Hamilton Red Wings for one year. In 1955, Ray began playing intermediate hockey for the Port Colborne Merchants and Port Colborne Sailors, where he played for several years.
Once retired from playing, Ray spent many years as a referee, supervisor, and instructor for the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). As a long-time high school teacher, Ray had a passion for developing young officials. He also spent 30 years volunteering as the referee in chief and game assigner for Port Colborne Minor Hockey from 1960-1991. A few other highlights from Ray’s career include being a referee for “old-timer” ex-professional players in England and France, and at a minor hockey international game with his two sons.
