German ice hockey mourns the loss of referee legend
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Josef “Jupp” Kompalla is considered the most important ice hockey referee that Germany has ever produced. Now the icon has died at the age of 90.
Katowice – German ice hockey has lost one of its most influential figures. Josef “Jupp” Kompalla, born on March 13, 1936 in Katowice, Upper Silesia, died on Sunday morning after a short, serious illness. He was 90 years old. The German Ice Hockey Association (DEB) confirmed the death of the iconic referee and expressed its condolences to the family.
Kompalla began his sporting career as an active ice hockey player before switching to the whistle in 1969. This decision should have a lasting impact on German ice hockey. Until the end of his career in 1992, he led a total of more than 2,000 games in the German leagues and over 150 international matches, without any technical aids – figures that impressively demonstrate his tireless commitment to the sport.
Kompalla has a unique career as a referee
Kompalla also left a lasting mark on the international stage. The world association IIHF nominated him for eleven World Championships and three Winter Olympics – 1976, 1980 and 1984. He occupied a special place in sports history with his participation in the legendary eighth and decisive game of the 1972 Summit Series between the USSR and Canada in Moscow – despite strong protests from the Canadian side, which had rejected him as an “incompetent” referee.
The awards that Kompalla received throughout his life reflect the exceptional status of his career. In 1992 he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Eleven years later, he was inducted into the “Hall of Fame” of the World Ice Hockey Federation IIHF – at the time only the ninth German ever. The DEB also made him an honorary member.
Even after his active career ended, Kompalla continued to enjoy his beloved winter sport. He was involved as a referee observer and trainer and passed on his decades of experience to the next generation. His now 62-year-old daughter Nicole also pursued a career as a referee.
“One of the really greats”: Kompalla leaves a big gap in German ice hockey
In a statement, the DEB stated: “With Jupp Kompalla, the ice hockey world is losing an extraordinary personality who helped shape ice hockey in Germany for many years.” Gernot Tripcke, managing director of the German Ice Hockey League, also praised Kompalla as “one of the greats” in his obituary. He was also grateful that the DEL was able to honor him personally again in March on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
Kompalla’s farewell marks the end of an era: Hardly any other referee has left such a lasting mark on ice hockey in Germany over the decades – as a referee, as an instructor and as an ambassador for his sport. The gap left by his death is unlikely to be filled in German ice hockey any time soon. (fn)