Mike Condon went to and graduated from Father Judge High School where he played ice hockey, and developed his affection and dedication to sports in 1976. Soon after he began officiating youth hockey games and later his passion for the game led him to become a professional official. He served for 25 years as a linesman in the American Hockey League, “AHL”. He also volunteered with local baseball teams and was an assistant coach at North Catholic High.

Condon worked more than 1,500 professional games, including the 2001 AHL All-Star Game in Wilkes-Barre and the 1998 Calder Cup Finals in Philadelphia. Among other roles, Condon worked as a video replay official for the Philadelphia Flyers for 11 years. Condon and fellow official Jimmy Doyle were the first video-replay officials hired in Philadelphia in 1990. “When the NHL went to video replay in 1990, they recruited officials who had worked AHL games,” Doyle recalled. “We had done a log of games in Hershey and Baltimore and we were the first to get jobs. He was very personable and always upbeat. He loved the game of hockey and every aspect of it. Condon often officiated Flyers Pre-Season NHL games at the Spectrum throughout his career. Mike’s day job he worked for Local 14 of the Heat-Frost and Asbestos Workers Union by day and by night. Condon and lifelong friend Michael Fore who was also an NHL off-ice official began officiating youth hockey games together, then worked their way up through high school games and Division I college hockey. “He just loved hockey,” Fore said. “When we worked together at games, he really made it fun. Toward the end of the season, we would work together at all the better games and tournaments. “When you’re doing it every night, then coming to Flyers games, and then refereeing again the next night, you know how much he loved the game.”

Condon’s final game was worked on March 13, 2002, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the AC Boardwalk Bullies played the Richmond Renegades.

Mike Condon passed away from a heart attack, on Thursday, March 21, 2002, in his sleep at his Mayfair home. He was 43 years old.

On March 22, 2002, The AHL released a public statement on Condon’s passing.

It is with deep sadness that the American Hockey League acknowledges that Mike Condon, an AHL linesman since 1980, passed away on Thursday morning at his home in Philadelphia. Condon was 44. “The entire AHL family is extremely saddened by today’s news,” said David Andrews, President and CEO of the American Hockey League. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mike’s family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

1980’s – Served as representative of the United States for referees in the IHEP, “International Hockey Exchange Program” arranged by Mary Cifone.

2001 – Breakaway Magazine creates the Mike Condon Award.

Otherwise known as Breakawaymonthly.com honored Mike by naming its yearly sportsmanship award the “Mike Condon Award.” Also printed in monthly magazine publications.

2002 – The American Hockey League creates an award after Mike.

The Michael Condon Memorial Award, instituted in 2002, honors an AHL on-ice official for his outstanding service to the American Hockey League. https://ahlhalloffame.com/michael-condon-memorial-award

2024 – AAHA Ed Snider Award

Loading