Long-time NHL referee Mick McGeough has passed away from a stroke that he suffered last weekend. He was 62. McGeough worked as an NHL official for 21 years, spanning more than 1,000 games and was still working with the league in an off-ice capacity as a supervisor of officials. League Commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement:
“The National Hockey League lost a true friend of the game last night with the passing of Mick McGeough. As one of the League’s top referees for 21 years from 1987-88 until his retirement following the 2007-08 season, Mick’s passion for the game shone through on a nightly basis. He earned and maintained respect from players, coaches, general managers and his peers throughout his career with a unique style that combined humility and humor with decisiveness and fairness.
Everyone here at PHR extends our condolences to McGeough’s friends and family.
Other news and notes from around the hockey world:
- While the Panthers received a scare on Friday with goaltender Roberto Luongo being injured late in the first period, the lower-body injury isn’t believed to be too serious, reports George Richards of The Athletic (Twitter link). He’s currently listed as day-to-day. The 39-year-old has had issues staying healthy in recent years and this marks the second time that he’s on the shelf already. James Reimer will once again take over the starting nod for the time being and will hope to improve upon a below-average 3.27 GAA and a .896 SV% that he has put up so far this season.
- Jets forward Andrew Copp left Friday’s game with a head injury, notes Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun. He was slated to go through the concussion protocol but if he clears it without any issues, there’s still a chance that he could play today against St. Louis. Copp has played in all 21 games so far this season, picking up three points while logging a little less than 13 minutes a night.