Mike Hasenfratz

Mike Hasenfratz

(June 19, 1966 – November 24, 2024)

Mike Hasenfratz was a respected NHL referee whose career was defined by perseverance, professionalism, and a deep love for the game of hockey. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Hasenfratz began officiating at just 13 years old, working his way through the ranks of minor, junior, and professional hockey before reaching the NHL in 2000.

Prior to joining the NHL, Hasenfratz spent 18 years in the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he officiated two Memorial Cups and earned the Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Official of the Year in 1999–2000. He also represented Canada as a linesman at the 1991 World Junior Championship and worked extensively in the International Hockey League before earning his NHL contract.

Over the course of his 15-year NHL career, Hasenfratz officiated 705 regular season games, including numerous memorable moments across the league. Known for his calm presence and steady judgment, he wore uniform number 30 early in his career and later number 2, symbolizing a “second chance” after surviving major heart surgery that forced him to miss two seasons before courageously returning to the ice.

Beyond his statistics, “Hazy,” as he was affectionately known among peers, was admired for his integrity, sense of humor, and determination. His path from minor hockey in Regina to the highest level of the sport reflected the values of hard work and perseverance that define the officiating community.

Mike Hasenfratz’s impact on the game and on those who worked alongside him continues to be remembered fondly throughout the hockey world and within the NHLOA family.