NHL referee Chris Rooney was left bleeding profusely after he was hit in the eye with a stick during Sunday night’s Eastern Conference playoff game between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, but fortunately there has since been a positive update.
The incident involving Rooney took place during the second period of the Panthers’ 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky passed the puck from behind the net to Niko Mikkola, who tried to clear it with a backhand. Mikkola’s stick accidentally went under the visor of Rooney and hit the referee near the eye.
Rooney immediately fell to the ice and blood could be seen pouring from his eye. He was helped off and replaced by an alternate referee.
There was concern about Rooney’s actual eye being damaged, but that did not happen. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Monday that Rooney has a black eye but hopes to return to work at some point during the conference finals.
Update on veteran ref Chris Rooney who left Game 7 last night in Toronto after taking a stick on a follow through. Scary incident. Has a black eye but luckily no eye damage. Hopes to be back working later this round. Good news it wasn’t worse.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 19, 2025
Rooney, 49, has been a full-time referee since 2002. He is regarded as a top official and has served as a referee for five different Stanley Cup Finals. He also officiated in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.
