US EditionNHL Referee Chris Rooney, Hit in the Face with a Stick, Expects to Return to Playoffs
- Just moments after the second period began during the decisive Game 7 matchup between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on May 18, 2025, in Toronto, NHL referee Chris Rooney was struck in the face by a stick.
- The injury happened when Florida Panthers' Niko Mikkola unintentionally struck referee Chris Rooney's face with his stick while attempting to advance the puck along the boards, resulting in a cut above Rooney's right eye.
- Rooney remained down briefly while trainers controlled heavy bleeding, then left the ice with a towel on his face and received stitches, with Garrett Rank replacing him as referee for the rest of the game.
- The NHL confirmed Rooney was doing well, sustaining no permanent damage despite a black eye and significant bleeding, and described him as a veteran official who hopes to return during the playoffs.
- Rooney’s injury caused delays while the ice was cleaned, but the incident did not prevent the continuation of the playoffs, with upcoming conference finals scheduled following this series.
48 Articles
48 Articles
NHL referee Chris Rooney, hit in the face with a stick, expects to return to playoffs
Referee Chris Rooney, who was hit in the face with a hockey stick during the Florida Panthers-Toronto Maple Leafs series, is doing well and hopes to return to work the NHL playoffs, a league source told UPI on Tuesday.
Rockdale Citizen & Newton Citizen
Henry HeraldReferee Chris Rooney aims to return to NHL playoffs after high stick
NHL referee Chris Rooney hopes to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after a scary scene unfolded during Game 7 of the second-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers on Sunday night.
NHL Referee Bloodied After Getting Hit in Eye by Player's Stick in Scary Incident
Longtime NHL official Chris Rooney needed help off the ice Sunday, May 18 after taking a stick to the face and gushing blood during the Panthers-Maple Leafs game. The NHL said in an update that Rooney received medical attention and is 'doing well.'
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