Chris Rooney is on the mend after he took a high-stick near his eye in the second period of Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.
And he’s ready to get back to work as soon as possible.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun provided an update on Monday, noting Rooney has a black eye but no eye damage. The Boston native is hopeful to return to work during the Conference Finals, which begin Tuesday.
The NHL official was bleeding from his face as he was tended to by trainers. A stretcher came onto the ice, but Rooney eventually made his way to the dressing room with help from the trainers and with a towel to his face.
The TNT broadcast noted that Rooney received stitches above his eye.
In January, Rooney was celebrated for officiating 1,500 NHL games. He’s the only American to reach the milestone. His 1,500th game came on Jan. 7 when he officiated the game between his hometown Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers at TD Garden.