Referee Chris Rooney aims to return to NHL playoffs after high stick

Field Level Media|published: Mon 19th May, 21:06 2025

May 25, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Referee Chris Rooney (5) gestures in the first period between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues in game five of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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.

Rooney, 49, was injured in the eye area by a high stick from Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, who was battling for a pick in the corner. The veteran official was left with a black eye, but no long-term damage, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday.

Rooney was bleeding badly when he went down on the ice and while being tended to by trainers from both teams. He was ruled out for the rest of the game and received stitches to help close the cut.

Referee Garrett Rank, on standby in case of emergency, replaced Rooney and the game resumed following a break in action.

The visiting Panthers went on to win the game 6-1 and will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals, beginning on Tuesday.

--Field Level Media

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