John McCauley (referee)
| John McCauley | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
October 4, 1944 Brampton, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Died |
June 2, 1989 (aged 44) Ontario, Canada | ||
| Position | Referee/Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Playing career | 1966–1981 | ||
John Wesley McCauley (October 4, 1944 – June 2, 1989)[1] was a Canadian ice hockey referee who served in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1966 and 1981.
Early life
McCauley was raised in Brampton, where he developed a strong passion for sports at an early age, particularly excelling in both hockey and lacrosse. As a hockey player, he played the demanding position of goaltender, showcasing his quick reflexes and mental toughness on the ice. Simultaneously, he was an accomplished lacrosse player, known for his athleticism and competitive spirit. In 1959, his efforts were instrumental in helping the Brampton Excelsiors win the Canadian Junior Lacrosse Championship.[2]
Career
Throughout his career, McCauley officiated 442 regular-season games and 12 playoff contests. In 1979, he suffered a severe injury to his right eye after being attacked by a fan following a game between the NHL All-Stars and the Soviet Union. Although he eventually resumed officiating, the injury affected his depth perception, leading him to retire from refereeing two years later.[3]
In June 1979, McCauley was appointed as the assistant director of officiating for the National Hockey League (NHL).[4] Demonstrating strong leadership and a deep understanding of the game, he was promoted to director of officiating in 1986. He remained in this role until his untimely death in 1989.[1]
Personal life
McCauley passed away at the age of 44 due to complications following emergency gallbladder surgery.[5] His son, Wes McCauley, was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the eighth round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Wes later pursued a career in officiating like his father and is now an NHL referee, having officiated his first NHL game in 2003 and becoming a full-time official in 2005.[6]
References
- ^ a b Matsumoto, Rick (June 3, 1989). "NHL's John McCauley was 'a players' referee'". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
- ^ "John McCauley | NHLOA Alumni | NHL Officials Association". NHLOA. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- ^ Bock, Hal (July 7, 1982). "Is law and order breaking down in hockey?". The Gadsden Times. AP. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
- ^ "John McCauley dies suddenly". Toronto Star. June 2, 1989. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
- ^ "HockeyBuzz.com - Paul Stewart - 25 Years Later: Remembering John McCauley". www.hockeybuzz.com. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ "NHL promotes referees from AHL ranks". The American Hockey League. August 23, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2011.