Wesley "Wes" McCauley is a well-known referee in the National Hockey League. Born on January 11, 1972, was once an ice hockey player later, he became a referee in the NHL. McCauley was drafted by the Red Detroit Wings in the 8th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft when he was playing for Michigan State University.
Following his graduation, he played in minor hockey leagues with the Las Vegas Thunder and Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League. Wes suffered an injury in 1997 due to which he decided to pursue a referee career.
Since then, Wes has participated in nine Stanley Cup finals from 2013-2023, only missing two 2019 due to injury and 2021 because of Covid-19.His journey from a player to a full-time NHL referee shows his love for the sport.
When did McCauley become a referee?
After his injury, McCauley pursued an officiating career, following the footsteps of his father John McCauley who was a NHL player and later became a referee. McCauley started his refereeing in the Ontario minor hockey leagues and then moved to the Eastern Coast Hockey League (ECHL). In 2001, NHL hired him to officiate AHL, a second-tier league. On January 20, 2003, McCauley officiated his first-ever NHL games featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Chicago Blackhawks.
He kept working in the AHL, officiating the Calder Cup Finals in the AHL. McCauley became a full-time NHL referee in the 2005-2006 season and officiated his first playoff game in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs featuring the Buffalo Sabres and the New York Islanders.
Since then, McCauley has participated in multiple Stanley Cup Finals, wearing uniform number 4. He officiated his 1,000th NHL game on December 23, 2018. He is known for his suspense announcements during crucial moments and results.
McCauley and Sheldon Keefe?
The history between Wes McCauley and Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs involves a legal matter from the past but not a current conflict. McCaluey's brother-in-law David Frost, a former junior coach was accused of sexual harassment by Mike Danton. Sheldon Keefe, a friend of Danton, testified against Frost during the lawsuit.
However, Frost did not plead guilty. Later Mike Danton was convicted for a separate charge.An incident from the Maple Leafs games sparked speculation about potential bias from the referee McCauley. A missed penalty led to this question of biassed judgments. However, NHL officials did not find any evidence of bias and unfair treatment of McCauley.
FAQ's On Wes McCauley and Sheldon Keefe
A. An incident from the Maple Leafs games sparked speculation about potential bias from the referee McCauley. A missed penalty led to this question of biassed judgments. However, NHL officials did not find any evidence of bias and unfair treatment of McCauley.
A. In 1997, McCauley suffered an injury and decided to pursue a officiating career.
A. Wes has participated in nine Stanley Cup finals from 2013-2023, only missing two 2019 due to injury and 2021 because of Covid-19.
A. Wesley was born on January 11, 1972, in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada.
A. His outstanding efforts on the ice were recognized and he was rewarded with the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award in 1993 for his significant achievement in his college hockey career.
![[WATCH] Alex Ovechkin celebrates his 40th birthday over video conference with family and friends back in Russia](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/09/68c79-17581787279017-1920.jpg?h=166)
