WCHA referee Butch Mousseau is in critical condition after suffering a head injury during warmups before a game Friday.
Mousseau fell and hit his head on the ice before the WCHA Final Five game between Michigan Tech and Ferris State. He was reportedly not wearing a helmet.
He was transported to Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., according to a WCHA statement Saturday.
“Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with Butch, his wife, children and family during this difficult time,” a league statement read.
Mousseau was taken from the ice on a stretcher. Blood needed to be cleaned from the ice.
Mousseaux caught an edge as he turned, fell, hit his head (no helmet on) and was knocked out. Ambulance just left arena.
— Pete Wallner (@petewallner) March 18, 2016
Great game played by Ferris to get the W. Thoughts w/ Butch Mousseaux tonight, never seen such a nasty injury to a ref at a hockey game.
— Nick Iszler (@nickiszler) March 19, 2016
Keep WCHA ref Butch Mousseaux in your prayers. #whca
— Mike Schmitt (@refschmitt) March 19, 2016
Please say a prayer for our brother/friend Oliver Butch Mousseau. He’s the strongest man I know but now needs all of our thoughts and prayers!
Posted by Peter Friesema on Friday, March 18, 2016
In St. Paul, Minn., on Friday, referee Brian Aaron suffered a shoulder injury and had to leave the semifinal game between Minnesota and Penn State. He was hit into the boards when two players skated into him.
