Honoring Mike O'Neil: A True Hockey Hero

Mike O'Neil has been a fixture in the Nashville Hockey Community for over 30 years. As a referee, coach, and player Mike has impacted the growth of hockey in Nashville like very few before him. You will probably know Mike the best from his time on the ice as a referee. He has been working Adult Hockey League games at the Centennial Sportsplex for over 25 years while also working high school, travel, and house league games at other rinks all throughout the southeast. He was also part of the NHL off ice official crew on home games for the Predators. Mike was diagnosed with cancer back in 2020 and courageously fought this disease while still working games. He was asked if he wanted to come off the schedule while going through treatment and always said "no, I like being at the rink". He was a true hockey guy. Mike unfortunately succumbed to this terrible disease and passed away on June 2nd, 2024. Today we start down the road to stand up for one of our own and help support Mike's family. We are a small but tight group that carry a common love for a game that not many play. We believe in honor, sportsmanship, and respect to this great game that makes us different from other sports. We are starting our goal at $30,000 but I know we can do more over the next few months. Please give what you can and make sure to share this as much as possible throughout the hockey community that we are all part of.