The Big Whistle Dies At 94

From NHL.com:

Bill Chadwick, the longtime NHL referee and television analyst who earned the nickname "The Big Whistle" has died at age 94.

His death was announced by son Bill and confirmed by John Halligan, a family friend and hockey historian. Chadwick had been in declining health for a number of years and died while in hospice care. MSG Network, for whom Chadwick served as an analyst for 14 years, reported his death during the second period of the New York Rangers' game in Montreal on Saturday night.

This is Hall of Fame referee Bill Chadwick. He is usually credited as being the referee who first introduced hand signals when making a call.

Inspired by baseball umpires, Chadwick began the hand gestures upon arrival in the NHL as a referee in the 1940s. Some labeled him a showoff, but obviously his habit became normal practice. In those days public address announcements were hard to hear, and fans were often left wondering why exactly their favorite player was heading to the penalty box.

Here's his profile at NHLOfficials.com.