In a stunning and unprecedented move, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has levied the largest fine in league history against an on-ice official following what the league described as “a series of egregious officiating errors” during Tuesday night’s game between the St. Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets.
Referee Michael Hargrove, a 14-year veteran of the NHL officiating ranks, has been fined $75,000 and suspended indefinitely pending a full review. According to sources close to the league, multiple critical calls — including a controversial no-goal ruling in the third period and an alleged missed high-sticking penalty — triggered the investigation.
> “The integrity of our game depends on accountability at every level,” said Commissioner Bettman in a late-night press conference. “While our referees have one of the toughest jobs in professional sports, we cannot overlook a sequence of calls that had a direct impact on the outcome of the game.”
The St. Louis Blues lost the contest 3–2 in overtime, but video replays and postgame analysis showed clear inconsistencies in officiating that led to outrage among fans, players, and analysts alike. The NHL Referees’ Association (NHLRA) released a statement defending Hargrove’s track record but acknowledged the need for review and transparency.
This marks the first time in NHL history that an individual referee has been fined this heavily, a move some insiders see as a sign the league is tightening its standards amid growing criticism of officiating across the league.
Fallout & Reaction
Blues head coach Craig Berube, who was fined $25,000 last month for criticizing officials, responded tersely:
> “Glad the league finally saw what we’ve been seeing all season.”
Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff declined to comment but emphasized that his team was focused on moving forward.
The NHL is expected to release a full officiating audit of the game by the end of the week.
