NHL Fires Referee Jean Hebert Amid Bribery Scandal and Controversial No-Call in Game 6

May 19, 2025 – By Lucas Reinhart, SportsNet Weekly

In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world, the National Hockey League (NHL) has officially fired veteran referee Jean Hebert following serious allegations of corruption and favoritism. The announcement came just hours after the conclusion of Game 6 between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, in which a dangerous hit by Florida’s Aleksander Barkov on Leafs captain Auston Matthews was completely ignored—sparking outrage across Canada and intensifying scrutiny on Hebert’s integrity.

A Career Ends in Controversy

Jean Hebert, a longtime NHL official with over 15 seasons under his belt, is now at the center of what some are calling one of the league’s most damning officiating scandals in decades. The decision to relieve him of his duties followed an internal investigation that uncovered disturbing allegations: Hebert was reportedly accepting bribes from select American franchises in exchange for unfair officiating that disproportionately targeted Canadian teams.

According to sources familiar with the probe, multiple team officials and anonymous whistleblowers came forward with evidence suggesting that Hebert’s on-ice decisions were not just poor judgment—but deliberate manipulation designed to sway games in favor of U.S.-based clubs.

While the NHL has not yet released the full details of its findings, the league confirmed in a brief statement that Hebert’s termination was related to a “violation of professional conduct and ethical standards.”

“The integrity of our game is paramount,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in the official statement. “We will not tolerate any action that compromises the fairness and trust our fans place in us. Mr. Hebert is no longer employed by the NHL, effective immediately.”

The Hit That Sparked a Firestorm

The final straw for many came during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, where the Maple Leafs were battling to stay alive against the Panthers. Just minutes into the first period, Florida captain Aleksander Barkov delivered what analysts and fans widely described as a “dirty and dangerous hit” to the back of Auston Matthews, who was skating near the boards.

Matthews collapsed awkwardly to the ice and was slow to get up, visibly shaken. Replays showed Barkov extending his elbow and making contact with Matthews’ head and upper back—an infraction that, under normal circumstances, would have warranted a major penalty or even a game misconduct.

But Hebert, positioned just feet away, did not raise his arm. No penalty was assessed.

The Leafs’ bench erupted. Head coach Sheldon Keefe could be seen screaming at officials, while Matthews was escorted to the locker room for evaluation. Though he returned later in the game, the damage—both literal and symbolic—had been done.

Canadian fans exploded on social media, accusing the officiating crew, and particularly Hebert, of bias and misconduct. Hashtags like #RiggedForAmerica and #ProtectMatthews trended across platforms for hours.

Allegations of Bribery and Bias

The allegations surrounding Jean Hebert didn’t begin with Game 6, but the incident brought years of suspicion to a boiling point.

Several anonymous league sources claim that internal red flags had been raised over Hebert’s officiating patterns as far back as 2022. Data analysts working independently had even noted a disproportionate number of penalty calls against Canadian teams in games officiated by Hebert, especially when playing against American teams.

One anonymous front office executive from a Canadian team told reporters:

“There have always been whispers. Certain games just didn’t make sense—calls that changed the momentum, crucial penalties ignored. But no one ever thought it could be something this serious.”

Reports indicate that the bribes may have come in the form of offshore payments and undisclosed favors, though none of the implicated American teams have yet been publicly named or penalized. The NHL has launched a separate investigation to determine whether any franchises were complicit in the scheme.

Fallout and Fan Reaction

In Canada, the news of Hebert’s firing was met with a mixture of relief and fury. While many are glad to see the league take action, others are demanding further accountability.

“Firing Hebert is a start,” said Canadian sports commentator Don MacLean. “But if this goes deeper, and if any teams were involved in influencing officials, the NHL has a massive credibility crisis on its hands.”

Toronto fans, still bitter after the Game 6 loss that knocked the Leafs out of the playoffs, are especially vocal.

“We weren’t just beaten—we were cheated,” wrote one fan on X. “How many seasons have been ruined by corrupt officiating we didn’t even know was happening?”

Meanwhile, calls for greater transparency in officiating have grown louder. Several prominent voices in the hockey community are urging the league to implement reforms, including:

Releasing referee performance evaluations publicly

Introducing independent officiating oversight

Using AI-assisted review systems for penalty calls

Establishing whistleblower protections within the NHL

What Comes Next

The NHL has confirmed that Hebert will not return in any capacity and that it is cooperating with law enforcement and regulatory bodies regarding the bribery allegations. The league is also expected to review officiating assignments for the remainder of the postseason.

For now, the identity of the whistleblowers and the extent of the corruption remain closely guarded. But insiders believe this could be the tip of the iceberg—and the beginning of a sweeping cleanup of officiating protocols across the league.

As for Auston Matthews, he has remained mostly silent on the matter, simply telling reporters, “We just want a fair shot. That’s all.”

His words, simple and calm, now echo with a new urgency across the league.