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You may not know the name Luke McGeough, but his father’s name likely brings a smile to many in the hockey community in Saskatchewan.
Mick McGeough spent 21 seasons in the NHL, officiating nearly 1,100 games including more than sixty in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and a 2006 finals appearance in Carolina’s Cup win over Edmonton. Two years ago Monday however, the hockey world lost McGeough at the age of 62.
“As proud as I am of those accomplishments, I’m more impressed by his character,” Luke told 650 CKOM Sunday, remembering his father.
“He was the ultimate teammate, always backed his guys up.”
It was that presence that drew many to McGeough as he patrolled the lines and managed many of the NHL’s brightest stars over his 21-year career. But losing Mick in 2018 was tough on Luke, and as an official himself, he wanted to find a way to honour his father following his sudden passing.
Luke said he decided to wear one of his father’s old officials jerseys following his death, which he was quickly given the green light to do in a Midget AAA game in Regina.
The year after, he did the same thing in an SJHL game.
Then, on Saturday the tradition continued in a tilt between the Estevan Bruins and the Weyburn Red Wings.
It's been almost two years since we said bye to dad. Each season I wear one of my dad's jerseys to referee. Tonight, I'll be remembering Mick in the @weyburnredwings at the @estevanbruins game, which is always special because Mick cut his teeth in the @theSJHL and senior ranks. pic.twitter.com/YOWsDak1qs
— Luke McGeough (@lukemcgeough) November 21, 2020
“During the game, you get pretty entrenched in the play. You’re not thinking about it so much, not thinking about the jersey you’re wearing. But I really find when I first put it on in the dressing room, when we give our little team pep talk and when we go out for the opening skate, when we stand there for the national anthem is where I notice it the most,” he said.
“I give a little look up to the sky and just ask dad to help me out. Once the puck drops, it’s all business after that.”
The jersey Luke wore had the old, copper NHL crest, but was still given the thumbs up for the SJHL ranks— a league where Mick ‘cut his teeth in,’ according to Luke’s tweet prior to game time.
He said that tweet flew around the internet, filled with memories others shared of Mick during his time on and off the ice.
Luke said those stories have been echoed over the years by some of Mick’s old teammates, those he officiated and those he met along the way.
The Regina official said he hopes to bring back the now-annual tradition in his career on the ice as he continues in his father’s footsteps and strides between the blues, for years to come.