Wesley “Wes” McCauley is a renowned referee in the National Hockey League (NHL). Before starting his officiating career, he played for many minor leagues. McCauley was born on January 11, 1972, in Ontario, Canada and belongs to a hockey-loving family with his father John McCauley being a former NHL referee.
Wes McCauley is a former defenseman, was immersed in the officiating world due to his father, John McCauley. Despite growing up around referees, Wes harboured dreams of becoming an NHL player. In 1989, he accepted an offer from Michigan State University, playing four seasons and earning the co-captaincy in his final year. Post-graduation in 1993, McCauley received the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award for perseverance and courage. Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1990, he ventured into professional hockey, competing in the IHL, ECHL, and overseas in the Italian Serie A League.
Unfortunately, McCauley had to quit playing due to his injury in 1997.
Transitioning from playing to refereeing, McCauley officiated in Ontario's minor hockey leagues in 1997 before joining the East Coast Hockey League as a referee in 1998. Under the mentorship of former NHL Director of Officiating Andy Van Hellemond, he earned an NHL minor league referee contract in 2001.
McCauley made history on January 20, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio, becoming the third second-generation NHL on-ice official (after his father) to work an NHL Regular Season Game. Promoted to full-time NHL status in 2005, he has officiated more than 1,291 regular games and 201 games including 10 Stanley Cup finals.
Wes McCauley’s Children
Wes McCauley and his wife have four children together. While only the names of 3 children are available named Riley, Emma, and Maggie. Riley is the eldest one and is following the footsteps of his father. Riley is currently a linesman in the American Hockey League and made his debut in the Tucson Roadrunners vs. San Jose Barracuda game (April 2023)
Graduating from the University of Arizona, he is a third-generation official in his family after his father Wes McCauley who has officiated over 1,292 regular-season NHL games and 186 playoff games since 2003 and his grandfather John McCauley was also an NHL referee.
Wes McCauley’s Father
Late John McCauley (1945 – June 3, 1989) the father of Wes McCauley was a Canadian ice hockey player turned referee who officiated from 1966 to 1981. John McCauley was born and raised in Brampton, he excelled as a player in ice hockey, winning a Canadian junior Lacrosse championship in 1959 with his team Brampton Excelsiors. John McCauley retired in 1981 after sustaining an eye injury 2 years prior. However, he still continued as an assistant director of officiating after getting appointed in 1979.
McCauley was later promoted as the director of officiating in 1986 till his death in 1989 at the age of 44 years after some complications in his gallbladder surgery. John also worked as a referee in the NHl, officiating over 442 regular-season games and 12 playoff games.
FAQ's On Wes McCauley’s Children
A. The son of NHL referee Riley is a linesman in the American Hockey League who debuted in the Tucson Roadrunners vs San Jose Barracuda game.
A. Late John McCauley (1945 – June 3, 1989) the father of Wes McCauley was a Canadian referee who officiated from 1966 to 1981.
A. Wes McCauley and his wife have four together. While only the names of three children are known, Riley, Emma, and Maggie. Riley is the eldest child.
A. Wes McCauley was promoted to full-time NHL status in 2005 and has officiated in more than 1,291 regular season games and 201 playoff games including 10 Stanley Cup Finals.
A. McCauley made history on January 20, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio, becoming the third ever second-generation NHL on-ice official.
