MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — A local hockey referee is recovering from a devastating injury he suffered during a game. 5 On Your Side's Annie Krall talked with his fellow refs about the risks they face on the ice.
It happened at the NHL Rink of Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights.
That's where Missouri Ice Hockey Officials Association referee Dean Robinson had his life changed by a speeding stick, his friend and fellow referee Mick Herndon said.
In the moments leading up to the hit, "Dean is along the boards in great position," Herndon said. "Two players come up chasing the puck. As they skate by, all of a sudden you just see Dean holding his eye."
"Obviously a stick came up and hit him but it was clearly nothing malicious," Herndon said. "A freak accident, a freak unfortunate accident."
Leaving Robinson potentially blind in his left eye. Matthew Markillie was refereeing one rink over at Centene when it happened.
"You know a stick can go underneath the visor and unfortunately hit us in the eye which is the worst place to get hit," Markillie said.
Markillie remembered the 15-year-old Junior Blues game on Saturday Oct. 26 well. Recounting with Krall the moments the ambulance arrived on scene.
"Our hearts all sunk and we're hoping for the best and then you get back in the locker room after the game," Markillie said. "I had five texts from people asking if I'd heard what happened to Dean and see if anybody had an update."
Former Kirkwood Youth Hockey coach Mike Mitchell was watching his sons play on the same rink on Sunday where Robinson was hurt.
"Reffing a game like they're reffing out here where everybody is yelling at each other and no call is a good call," Mitchell said. "They put up with a lot of abuse and a lot of parent abuse. It's really a calling that these officials have when they come out here."
Robinson is also a truck driver.
It's a career now in jeopardy.
"He would not be able to continue being a truck driver because with his CDL, his vision would not be acceptable," Herndon said. "It would have a big impact on his life. It already has."
"That's the fear of working these games is that something is going to happen and it's going to end your career," Markillie said. "Our lives depend on, and our family's lives depend on us putting food on the table. So losing your career over a game is tough but we have this passion and this love for the game and we all like to give back."
Officials with the Missouri Ice Hockey Association hope Robinson can return to the ice eventually.
A GoFundMe page has already raised more than $76,000 for Robinson to help with medical bills and lost income. To donate, click here.