Retired National Hockey League referee Mike Hasenfratz has passed away at the age of 58.
Hasenfratz, 58, made his National Hockey League debut on October 21, 2000, working a game between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. He officiated he first playoff game the following season, as the Detroit Red Wings hosted the Vancouver Canucks on April 19, 2002.
He joined the league wearing #30, later moving to #2 from 2011-14.
Mid-career, Hasenfratz was diagnosed with a serious medical condition that sidelined his for two seasons: an aortic dissection.
“It’s the same thing that killed [actor] John Ritter,” said Hasenfratz back in 2009, adding that doctors told him, “‘We usually find out about it when we’re doing an autopsy.'”
Hasenfratz underwent open heart surgery, followed by a lengthy recovery. He worked hard to return to the ice. When he did – wearing #2 – Hasenfratz liked to say it signified his second chance at what he called “the second best job in the world, after playing.”
He skated his final NHL game on March 16, 2014, working alongside referee Mike Leggo with linesmen Derek Amell and Tim Nowak. He missed the following season due to unspecified health issues before retiring from the league.
The Regina, Saskatchewan, native finished his NHL career having worked 705 regular season games.
The NHL mourns the passing of referee Mike Hasenfratz, who officiated over 700 NHL games from 2000-01 to 2013-14. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the many colleagues he worked alongside throughout his career in hockey. pic.twitter.com/PUWCaXCGkT
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 25, 2024
Our thoughts are with Hasenfratz’s family, friends, and former colleagues. May we all remember him well.
