The NHL is mourning the loss of retired referee Mike Hasenfratz. Though he retired a decade ago, Hasenfratz made his mark as an NHL official from 2000 to 2014. He officiated over 700 regular season games. Mike Hasenfratz stopped playing hockey to learn how to become an official. He called his job as an NHL referee the second-best job after playing.
Hasenfratz was only 58 years old. He survived a serious health issue, an aortic dissection, that sidelined him for two seasons. This was the same heart issue that took actor and comedian John Ritter’s life. Mike Hasenfratz said that doctors commonly find it in a patient’s autopsy.
He wore #30 when he began in the NHL but appropriately took #2 after he recovered from the aortic dissection. Hasenfratz felt that was appropriate given his second chance at life. He worked hard to return to the ice after missing the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons.
His peers and players admired the Canadian-born Mike Hasenfratz, who was living in Nashville at the time of his death, because he faced life-threatening adversity and returned to the sport he loved.
“He was a fantastic referee!” 🦓👌🏼
Remembering Mike Hasenfratz ⬇️ #NHL #Hazzy #WHL 🥲🏒 pic.twitter.com/fRrIR3QrRj
— The Rod Pedersen Show (@RodPedersenShow) November 25, 2024
No cause of death was provided, but we send our thoughts and prayers to Hasenfratz’s family.
