Mike Hasenfratz

Biography and cause of death of Mike Hasenfratz

Mike Hasenfratz (June 19, 1966 – November 24, 2024) was a Canadian ice hockey referee. He worked in the National Hockey League (NHL) from the 2000–01 season until his retirement following the 2014–15 season. He wore uniform number 30 until the 2011–12 season, wearing number 2 (previously worn by Kerry Fraser) for the remainder of his career.

Mike Hasenfratz Early life

Mike Hasenfratz was born on June 19, 1966, in Regina, Saskatchewan. He was the son of police officer, Tony, who organized tournaments. Hasenfratz quit playing minor ice hockey in Regina, to become a referee, then worked games in senior ice hockey, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League (WHL). He worked games at the 1995 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, and the 1998 Memorial Cup in Spokane. As a WHL referee in the 1999–2000 season,

he received the Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy as the league’s official of the year. Hasenfratz also followed in his father’s footsteps, working in law enforcement before becoming a full time professional ice hockey referee.

Mike Hasenfratz Career

Hasenfratz made his NHL debut during the October 21, 2000 game between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center. His other crew members included referee Paul Stewart, and linesmen Gord Broseker and Pat Dapuzzo. His first playoff assignment was Game 2 of the 2002 Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings.

Prior to the start of the 2009–10 season, it was discovered that Hasenfratz had an aortic aneurysm. It devolved into an aortic dissection that required emergency surgery. He missed the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, making his regular season return at the MTS Centre for the November 19, 2011 game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Winnipeg Jets.

Hasenfratz worked his final game on March 16, 2014, between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. His crew members included referee Mike Leggo, and linesmen Tim Nowak and Derek Amell. Hasenfratz missed the 2014–15 season due to health issues before officially retiring, after officiating 705 regular season games.

Mike Hasenfratz Personal life and death

Following his 2009 diagnosis, Hasenfratz had open-heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on his enlarged aorta. In a subsequent surgery, excess fluid was drained near his heart which caused a collapsed lung. He declined to retire from refereeing and receive a disability pension. Upon returning to the NHL, he changed to uniform number 2 to signify getting a second chance after two surgeries, and for having the “world’s second-best job, right after playing”.

Hasenfratz moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2000, and remained in the area until his death in November 2024, at the age of 58. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Source: Wikipedia