NHL Referee Chris Rooney Bloodied After Getting Hit in Eye During Scary Incident

Published: May 19, 2025

NHL referee Chris Rooney was hit by a stick during Sunday night's playoff game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, leaving him bloodied and in need of medical attention.

The incident occurred just 13 seconds into the second period when Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola's stick struck Rooney in the face while he was bracing for a hit by Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

Rooney remained on the ice for several minutes as trainers from both teams rushed to help the referee, whose face was bloodied, as were the boards. The Toronto home ice medical staff brought out a stretcher at one point before being waved off. Rooney then left the ice with the assistance of two trainers while holding a bloody towel to his face.

According to the league, Rooney received medical attention for a cut above his eye and is "doing well" after the incident. He reportedly got stitches above his eye to close the cut and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Replacement referee Garrett Rank took over for Rooney, according to the Associated Press. Mikkola hadn't realized his stick hit Rooney in the face until an on-ice reporter asked him how he felt about the situation afterwards as the referee was receiving medical attention.

Rooney, a married father of two, is one of the longest tenured officials in hockey, having first refereed his NHL game in 2000, according to the NHL Officials Association. The Boston native has officiated nearly 1,500 NHL games in his career, including 170 playoff games.

TSN hockey reporter Pierre LeBrun wrote on social media, noting that Rooney "has a black eye but luckily no eye damage" and "hopes to be back working later this round."

"Good news it wasn't worse," LeBrun added.

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Image credits: Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty, Claus Andersen/Getty