Egland scores Teddy Bear Toss goal but Pats lose in OT
3h ago
Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
I spent the past couple days writing and re-working a tribute to my friend, Mick McGeough, making sure it captures the personality of a guy who made friends everywhere.
Mick was an NHL referee for 21 seasons. When he died unexpectedly last month from a stroke at the age of 62, hardened, experienced coaches like John Tortorella and Claude Julien were effusive in praising Mick for his ability to make tough calls and admit if he made a mistake. The media, of all people, also admitted they loved him.
I met Mick when his short-lived pro career as a hockey tough guy had just ended and he began officiating amateur games as a linesman, a bad linesman because he was terrible with the technical part of the job. But he had an intrinsic feel for a hockey game, for the people involved, which made him a great referee, golfing partner, fastball teammate and poker buddy.
Every time I saw Mick, he was telling stories. Some of those stories were actually true. And we would be laughing heartily. Those are the things I want to portray on Friday evening when we’re having a Celebration of Life for a great referee and a memorable guy.