Longtime Referee Hits Big Milestone At Bruins-Oilers Game

BOSTON – Referee Chris Rooney, of South Boston, officiated his 1,500^th NHL game between the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night at TD Garden.

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The Bruins recognized Rooney’s accomplishments with an announcement on the video board during the first period. Rooney, then 24-years old, officiated his first regular-season game between the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers and Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 22, 2000. He became a fulltime referee in 2002. The 49-year-old worked his 1,500^th game Tuesday night. He also worked his 1,000^th NHL game Nov. 4, 2017, between the Bruins and the Washington Capitals at TD Garden.

He’s worked several Bruins games during his career, including the 2013 Stanley Cup Final between Boston and the Chicago Blackhawks. He also worked the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park. He’s well-respected around the league and it was a nice touch by the Bruins to recognize Rooney’s achievement. He worked the game with fellow referee Wes McCauley, along with linesmen Steve Barton and Brad Kovachik.