Gary Bettman's favorite referee no longer available for playoffs

PUBLICATION

Josh Tupper
May 23, 2024 (8:03)

SHARE THIS STORY

Famous NHL referee Wes McCauley will skip a significant step in the process by declining to officiate in the 2024 Stanley Cup Conference.

A well-known name is not among the referees and linesmen who will advance to the Conference Finals of the 2024 Stanley Cup Conference Finals. There will be no NHL refereeing between the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers in the East and the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers in the West. Wes McCauley is a controversial character in the league.

Advancing to the later rounds of the NHL playoffs means greater money for officials. You gain more the deeper you go. McCauley will not be attending the NHL Conference Finals for the thirteenth consecutive year. It's probably a hamstring problem, according to scouting the refs.

"Referee Wes McCauley made the cut for Round 2, but never worked a game after Golden Knights/Stars Game 7 in the opening round, prompting suspicion that he was dealing with an injury. If so, it's apparent the league doesn't expect him to be able to return soon, and opted to leave him on the sidelines. McCauley has reached the Conference Finals for 12 straight seasons, including 10 trips to the Stanley Cup Final � missing 2021 due to injury."

As a former player himself, McCauley originally attracted attention from NHL supporters with his animated penalty calls and candid chats with players on the rink.

Since then, he's drawn a lot of detractors who appear to think he's not very good at the job for which he gets paid and who frequently express bias in favor of or against particular clubs.

Despite this, he has been a consistent postseason player for a number of years, suggesting that the NHL believes in him. Regarding McCauley's potential comeback for the Stanley Cup Final, there is no official announcement.