College hockey ref dies week after hitting his head on ice

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A college hockey referee who fell during pregame warmups in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has died.

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the National Collegial Hockey Conference issued a statement saying Oliver “Butch” Mousseau died Friday.

Mousseau struck his head on the ice on March 18 at Van Andel Arena. He was to have worked a semifinal game between Michigan Tech and Ferris State.

WZZM-TV reports that the 48-year-old Mousseau was not wearing a helmet and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher.

Mousseau also had officiating experience in the minors and Canadian juniors.

He is survived by his wife and three children.