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Article By: Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former WHL Official Mick McGeough at the age of 62 in Regina.
McGeough began his officiating career in the WHL in 1981, skating for six seasons before working the 1986 Memorial Cup tournament in Portland after which he moved on to begin his NHL career.
“Mick’s career in the Western Hockey League was excellent,” said Kevin Muench, WHL Senior Director of Officiating. “Not only was Mick a leader on the ice, he was a leader off the ice as well. In leaving the ice and working in management with the National Hockey League, his role in developing officials in the NHL, WHL and elsewhere, has been invaluable. Mick’s energy and enthusiasm will forever be missed, both at the rink and away from it.”
Over the course of 20 seasons in the NHL, McGeough worked over 1,000 games. He was assigned to officiate the 2006 Stanley Cup Final and wrapped up his NHL officiating career on April 5, 2008 (Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings).
“Mick had a way of always making you feel accepted,” said Tom Kowal, WHL Officiating Development Coach. “He had a way of knowing when it was time to let a referee go and do his thing, but he also knew when to step in and protect a young referee. He was a great teammate in that way. More importantly, as a teammate off the ice, Mick was always a leader. He knew how to bring a group of guys together. He knew when it was time to tell a story.
“Mick was an incredible family man. His children Jared, Luke, Kara, Karlie and Isaac, all loved and adored him, as did his wife Angie.
“In life, people often start out as colleagues and become friends. Mick was more than just a colleague – he was a friend and he was family for all of us.”
In 2012, McGeough was inducted into the Sports Officials Canada Hall of Fame and in 2013 he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame.
The WHL wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the entire McGeough family, including his wife Angie and five children – Jared, Luke, Kara, Karlie and Isaac.