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Butch Mousseaux

(Via GoFundMe)

Ferris State hockey coach Bob Daniels had no problem throwing a blanket statement on what he thinks of Butch Mousseau, a WCHA referee who remained in a medically-induced coma Monday following a freak fall.

"The hockey community at the collegiate level is a fairly small, tight-knit group, and there no question how well liked universally Butch is," said the coach, in his 24th year at Ferris State. "That's to his peers, coaches and players. Everyone. He's such a positive and caring person. He has the prayers of everyone."

Mousseau, 48, is at Mercy Health St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids with family members from Colorado around him following a bizarre accident before Friday's WCHA Final Five game. At the end of pregame warmups, he casually skated over to fellow linesmen, tripped, fell and hit his head on the ice.

As word circulated on the extent of the injury, there has been an outpouring of support from referees, coaches and players across the country. Organizers of the non-profit Dawg Nation Hockey told MLive on Monday donations had exceeded more than $27,000. A GoFundMe account has topped $6,000.

Mousseau's wife of 17 years, Macairie - a native of Grosse Pointe - said in an interview Sunday: "I don't know quite how to put this but we're just overwhelmed by the love and support. I'm very grateful."

A public Facebook page, "Get Better Butchy" is lined with stories of support and encouragement. A search of his name reveals similar reaction on Twitter.

Macaire Mousseau noted in a Facebook post late Sunday:

Mousseau has been with WCHA since 2003-04, according to the conference. He began his career as a linemen in 1998. He served as a linemen in one NCAA championship game in 2006-07.

Greg Shepherd, who supervises officials for the WCHA, said Mousseaux was the highest-rated referee in the conference this year.

"I was just going through that stuff because I have to put out a year-end form and, yes, Butch is the top-rated official," said Shepherd, a supervisor for 23 years and in his 39th year with the conference.

Ferris State coach Bob Daniels.

The relationship among referees, coaches and players is often a straight-edge pyramid, Daniels said, but Mousseaux has been able to bridge that gap.

"I think anyone will tell you that it's in the way he conducts himself, Daniels said of Mousseau. "There is a genuine sincerity and politeness about him that defuses situations. At the same time he lets you know what he responsibility is with the job. There's no question about that."

Many of the Ferris State players witnessed the fall as they were preparing for a semifinal game against Michigan Tech. It wasn't until after the game that Daniels received an update and shared it with the team in the locker room.

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.