NHL referee Tim Peel fired after hot-microphone call about Nashville Predators penalty

NEW YORK — Tim Peel, who has officiated more than 1,300 games in the National Hockey League, was fired Wednesday after he was caught on a live microphone saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Nashville Predators, the league said.

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Peel, 53, was set to retire after this season, ESPN reported.

With 12:42 left in the second period of Nashville’s 2-0 victory against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, Peel could be heard making candid comments on the air, The Tennessean reported.

The Predators’ Viktor Arvidsson had just been called for a tripping penalty against Red Wings defenseman Jon Merrill, the newspaper reported.

Replays showed that Merrill embellished his fall to help draw the call, ESPN reported.

The Nashville television broadcast captured audio from Peel saying “it wasn’t much, but I wanted to get a (expletive) penalty against Nashville early.”

“Nothing is more important than ensuring the integrity of our game,” Colin Campbell, the NHL’s senior executive vice president of hockey operations, said in a statement. “Tim Peel’s conduct is in direct contradiction to the adherence to that cornerstone principle that we demand of our officials and that our fans, players, coaches and all those associated with our game expect and deserve. There is no justification for his comments, no matter the context or his intention, and the National Hockey League will take any and all steps necessary to protect the integrity of our game.”

Nashville was penalized three times Tuesday night, but Detroit was unable to convert on any of their power-play opportunities.

According to the league, Peel made his debut as an NHL referee on Oct. 21, 1999, when the Colorado Avalanche faced the Ottawa Senators. Heading into this season, Peel had officiated in 1,344 games and 90 playoff games. He also was an official in the 2012 All-Star Game.

Peel also officiated in the 2009 and 2017 Winter Classic games.

“... The referees are employees of the league and rather than me comment on it, it’s an issue that I think the league will have to take care of,” Nashville coach John Hynes told reporters after the game.

Cox Media Group