How a high stick sparked NHL's deeper look into referee safety
Referee Chris Rooney is helped off the ice after being injured (Source: Getty Image)
Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers turned unexpectedly when referee Chris Rooney took a high stick to the face. The contact came during a routine play, but the result was anything but.
Rooney dropped to the ice, bleeding and in pain. It brought the action to a stop, highlighting just how vulnerable NHL officials can be in split-second collisions.
He was treated immediately on the ice by both teams' trainers. With Rooney unable to continue, backup referee Garrett Rank stepped in. Though the Panthers won 6-1 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final, the conversation quickly turned away from the scoreboard.
Veteran referee faces sudden on-ice risk
Referee Chris Rooney Injured by Niko Mikkola's Stick?🏒Helped Off Ice During Panthers vs Maple Leafs
Chris Rooney, a seasoned NHL referee with decades of experience, has officiated some of the league's biggest moments. Yet no amount of experience can prevent accidental contact in such a high-speed sport. This injury, while not career-threatening, underscored a reality often overlooked in the fast pace of playoff hockey.
Focus shifts to protection for officials
Referee Chris Rooney is helped off the ice after being injured (Source: Getty Image)
The incident has sparked renewed interest in the protective measures available for referees.
While players wear full gear, referees only have partial protection. Eye injuries in particular, are difficult to avoid without full-face shields; something not currently standard in NHL officiating.
Technology could also play a role. High-speed cameras, real-time incident tracking, and smarter uniform materials may help reduce risks. But until then, officials continue to face many of the same dangers as players, with fewer tools for defense.
As Rooney recovers and eyes a return to playoff duty, the NHL has a clear opportunity to reassess its stance on referee safety. Game stoppages due to injuries are rare but impactful. Each one becomes a case study in prevention and response.
Read more:
Pete DeBoer's evolving playoff strategy defines Dallas Stars' rise
Chris Rooney's injury was a brief moment in a long playoff run. But it might lead to a deeper shift in how the NHL treats the officials who keep the game fair and flowing.
Get
IPL 2025
match
schedules
,
squads
,
points table
, and live scores for
CSK
,
MI
,
RCB
,
KKR
,
SRH
,
LSG
,
DC
,
GT
,
PBKS
, and
RR
. Check the latest
IPL Orange Cap
and
Purple Cap
standings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hockey nursery blooms into new school for cricket in city's people-led movement
Bhopal: Once known as the hockey nursery of India, Bhopal has evolved from these roots into a prominent cricket centre, producing national and international players. The city currently features two premier cricket league teams and maintains 27 cricket academies across various grounds. Athletes from Bhopal are now participating in competitions from the Ranji Trophy to the IPL, with new illuminated cricket venues under development and players competing internationally. The past decade witnessed a significant evolution in Bhopal's sporting facilities. The cricket infrastructure expanded considerably, with contemporary amenities being established throughout the city. The Old Campion Ground, Ankur Ground, Faith Cricket Ground, and Bab-e-Ali Stadium have emerged as essential venues for local competitions and training. These facilities regularly host various levels of matches and function as development centres for aspiring cricketers. Senior cricketers and coaches attribute the emergence of cricket talent to the dedication of those involved in the sport. "If we talk about ground-level cricket, it is running because of the people who are associated with this game. The govt has less role in it, and several players have a big contribution to cricket. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo This is the reason why Bhopal is able to produce great players for the country and the state," says senior coach JP Tyagi. The cricket academies maintain systematic training regimens, emphasising technical proficiency and physical conditioning. These institutions are led by former Ranji players and qualified coaches, offering professional guidance to young talents. Regular trials and summer programmes are organised to identify promising players. Senior Coach and former captain of the Madhya Pradesh Ranji team, Brijesh Tomar, acknowledges Bhopal's growing cricket prominence. "Now there are big stadiums equipped with floodlights. Every kind of cricket facility is available in Bhopal. This is the reason why players here are playing well at every level," says Tomar. The two premier cricket league teams have established a competitive environment for local players. "What level the competition has reached in Bhopal can be gauged from the fact that there are 12 all-rounders in the Bhopal Leopards team," says Sanjay Pandey of Bhopal Leopards. The team will participate in MPL under captain Arshad Khan this year, with their first match on June 13 against Jabalpur Royal Lions. Bhopal's cricketers have achieved notable success in professional cricket. The city's participation in the Madhya Pradesh Ranji Trophy team has grown substantially. MP secured their inaugural Ranji Trophy under Bhopal's Aditya Shrivastava's leadership. Aniket Verma and Shivam Shukla represent different IPL teams. Sports promoter Faisal Meer Khan commented on the growing environment for the game in the city, "In the last few years, many academies opened in Bhopal, and these are producing a lot of players. This is a good sign," says Meer. Local players have secured IPL contracts and opportunities to play league cricket internationally, particularly in England and Australia. The ongoing development of illuminated stadiums will enhance the city's cricket facilities. These venues will accommodate evening matches, benefiting working professionals and students. The stadiums feature modern amenities, including indoor practice facilities, fitness centres, and sports medicine units. Senior Coach Mohsin highlights Bhopal's cricket potential. "Every academy has so many children in Bhopal that many times they have to refuse them. That is why players here are playing in every format in the state and outside the state as well," says Mohsin. The cricket sector has generated substantial employment opportunities in Bhopal. Beyond players, there is increasing demand for coaches, physiotherapists, ground staff, and support personnel. Local sports equipment businesses have experienced growth, contributing to the local economy. The transition from hockey to cricket excellence reflects sustained efforts by cricket associations, governmental support, and enthusiasts' dedication. "Bhopal has made its own identity in cricket. We have an excellent pool of talent," said sports promoter Aruneshwar Singh Deo. The city maintains its hockey heritage while supporting cricket's increasing popularity.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
How Nate Schmidt and Gustav Forsling have flourished in the Florida Panthers' system
Image Via Getty In South Florida, an unofficial haven is being created in the NHL for defensemen looking to regain confidence. For Schmidt, the opportunity to blend into the newly formed Florida Panthers lineup was, in some ways, a release. Schmidt is not alone herein this the seasoned Gustav Forsling, with Dmitry Kulikov and others, could equally attest that theirs is a defense-oriented culture of the Panthers. The underlying factor behind this phenomenon is the coaching intervention of Paul Maurice and Sylvain Lefebvre, an environment that values experience, is liberating in its structure, and encourages the player to retain his individuality. Paul Maurice-Sylvain Lefebvre's way of turning defensive veterans into gems Unlike many teams in the NHL that stick players in rigid roles, the Panthers have created a definition of defensive excellence that honors a player's right to simply be himself, with structure imposed, never suffocation. Confidence in assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre is the cornerstone of Paul Maurice's philosophy. A Stanley Cup champion, Lefebvre brought to his coaching the player perspective from knowing the grind from both behind the bench and on the ice. Small matters of defense contributed by Lefebvre—stick positioning, aggression at the blue line, net-front coverage—have provided an adjustment for both rookies and the likes of Seth Jones. According to Jones himself, ever since the trade out of Chicago in March, he says that daily video sessions with Lefebvre and his patient approach helped him tweak certain things in his game that Jones himself neglected to work on for the longest of times. Nate Schmidt, previously guided by Maurice in Winnipeg, has found his groove once again in Florida. The tandem of coaches is given credit for letting Schmidt play his natural game without putting any unnecessary constraints on him. Gustav Forsling and Dmitry Kulikov, both of whom played very important roles in Florida's trip to the 2023 Stanley Cup, echoed such sentiments. It's not about regenerating players; it's about reminding them of their former selves at their best. Even Zito, the Panthers' GM, admits that defensemen almost always improve after arriving in Florida. There is an environment of togetherness, not competition, and Maurice does not micromanage the blue line because he trusts Lefebvre. Those same expectations have trickled down to the players. While Aaron Ekblad, the No. 1 pick of 2014, is considered local talent, the defensive unit otherwise does not consist of homegrown players, yet this unit operates as one. This system welcomes players on board with ease due to the fact that its foundation is egalitarian in terms of accommodating various styles of play; it favors speed and aggression. Also Read: Zach Werenski turns injury into inspiration with powerful Columbus comeback The Florida Panthers are not just building an NHL front team while running a career rejuvenation clinic for defensemen. With Paul Maurice and Sylvain Lefebvre paying close attention to every detail, players like Nate Schmidt, Gustav Forsling, and Dmitry Kulikov aren't just fitting in; they are thriving.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Bengaluru Stampede: 5 cops suspended; 2 KSCA officials resign; CM raises compensation to ₹25 Lakh
Bengaluru Stampede: Bengaluru skies lit up with firecrackers on Tuesday, June 3 — as if Diwali had come to the city early — after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched the IPL trophy for the first time in 18 years. Within a day, however, the celebrations spiralled into a tragic stampede killing 11, leading to the suspension of five senior police officers, transfer of one Karnataka government official. As per the latest developments, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has increased the compensation for the families of those who lost their lives in the Chinnaswamy Stadium tragedy to ₹ 25 lakh each from the earlier ₹ 10 lakh per family. Here's what we know so far: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's political secretary K Govindaraj was suspended, while Hemanth Nimbalkar, Karnataka's Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) was transferred. Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda was among five senior police officers suspended in connection with the incident, three of whom are IPS officers. Fans stand next to abandoned shoes and a fallen barrier following a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru Not just the Karnataka government officials, but RCB heads also bore the brunt of the deadly stampede that injured over 40 others after fans thronged outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, June 4. On Friday, a city court remanded four individuals — including Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Head of Marketing and Revenue, Nikhil Sosale — to 14 days in judicial custody in connection with the fatal stampede. Apart from transferring officials, the Karnataka government on Saturday ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigation into the stampede case. As part of the investigation, CID officials visited the office of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to gather preliminary information on the matter, ANI reported. As per ESPNCricinfo, top senior officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam, have resigned from their posts, citing "moral responsibility" for the stampede. They submitted the resignations to the president of the board, Raghuram Bhat. The brutal stampede also left its footprints on social media. Following the tragedy, angry netizens, who were once all praise for Virat Kohli, demanded that the cricket icon be put behind bars. Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (L) holds the Indian Premier League trophy aloft alongside teammates outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as they celebrate with fans winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) title, in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025. At least 11 people were killed in a stampede on June 4, as a tightly packed crowd celebrated the victory of their home cricket team in the Indian city of Bengaluru, the state's chief minister said. Social media users even clashed with each other over #ArrestKohli trending on X, as many users claimed the stampede was because of the organisers' failure.
