Referee Wes McCauley will remain out for the NHL’s Stanley Cup Semifinals, according to a report from Sportsnet, but hopes to return for the Stanley Cup Final.
McCauley last saw action in Game 5 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, working alongside referee Chris Lee. He moved on to the third round, as one of the eight referees named to the semifinal round, but has yet to take the ice. He was on standby for Game 1 between the Lightning and New York Islanders.
He has since reportedly returned home.
No reason was given for McCauley’s absence. NHL Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom declined to comment to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector.
This is the second postseason in recent history where McCauley has been sidelined.
McCauley was injured in the Conference Finals of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite suffering a leg injury during Game 6 between the Sharks and Blues, McCauley was selected to work that season’s Stanley Cup Final. He remained sidelined, and did not take the ice during the Cup Final.
The veteran official, 48, has been selected for the past eight Stanley Cup finals, dating back to 2013.
