In 2003, McCauley became just the third-ever second-generation NHL referee, following in the footsteps of his father, John. Since then, he's become one of the league’s most recognizable officials. 

In 1985, while serving as the NHL Director of Officiating, John McCauley traveled to East Lansing to oversee video review for a special exhibition series between MSU and the Canadian National Team to prepare for the upcoming Olympics. During his visit, John was so impressed by the university’s facilities and its hockey program that he couldn’t help but share his enthusiasm when he returned home.  

"I remember my dad coming home after that weekend and saying, 'I think you're going to Michigan State,'" Wes McCauley said. 

The rest was history. 

McCauley’s major hockey career began in 1989 when he accepted an offer to play for MSU. The defenseman spent four years with the Spartans and in his senior season was a co-captain alongside his best friend and future NHL player Bryan Smolinski.

During his senior year, McCauley was awarded the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award recognizing his perseverance and dedication in overcoming adversity. That same year, McCauley was picked by the Detroit Red Wings in the eighth round of the 1990 NHL Draft. McCauley’s playing career took him through several minor leagues, including the International Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and a stint in Italy. His dream of making it to the NHL as a player didn’t materialize.  

After retiring from professional hockey in 1997, McCauley remained involved with his beloved sport. The transition to officiating was a natural one given his family background in the profession. McCauley said his father, an NHL referee for 15 years, was always a guiding influence in his life and was officiating for much of his childhood. 

The NHL transitioned from three officials per game to four in the 1998-1999 season, presenting more opportunities for aspiring referees like McCauley.

"My dad passed away before I got to Michigan State," McCauley said. "A lot of his colleagues that were now in management told me staff was going to increase and they were looking for people. That's when I kind of started to put a little more thought into a career in officiating."

In 1998, McCauley began his officiating career in the minor leagues, working his way through the ECHL and eventually landing a contract with the NHL in 2001. His NHL refereeing debut was on Jan. 20, 2003. 

"That game honestly wasn’t even scheduled to be my first game," McCauley said. "I had just officiated four games in four nights in the American Hockey League, so I was hanging out at home. Next thing you know, my house phone rings and it was our signer saying the guy scheduled to work tonight, Brad Watson, got food poisoning. So, I had to get to Columbus. I got to the rink at 6:15, put the gear on and officiated my first game. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise."

That game marked the beginning of a successful officiating career in the NHL. McCauley signed a full-time contract with the league in the summer of 2005 and went on to be one of the most recognizable referees in the game. 

McCauley has become well-known for his dramatic and animated calls on the ice, often adding a personal flair to the officiating experience. His expressive gestures and passionate deliveries have made him a fan favorite; many of his penalty and goal calls have gone viral. 

"It's just me," McCauley said. "I'm into the game, and sometimes I maybe get a little too excitable, or sometimes I have a little pause for dramatic effects or whatever, but I just try to enjoy it and have fun."

The Athletic released a poll in January in which NHL players voted on the best referee. McCauley won, receiving 53% of the votes. Kelly Sutherland finished second with just over 18%. 

Despite the demands of a professional hockey career, McCauley earned his undergraduate degree from MSU and returned in 2019 to complete his Master’s in sport coaching and leadership.  

"Getting my degree at Michigan State allowed me to chase my dream of being a hockey player," McCauley said. "Ultimately, that door got closed, but I was able to go that different path to officiating. If I didn't have my degree to fall back on, I don't know if it would have been possible to do."

The highlights of McCauley's career aren’t the big moments, like his 1,000th game or the viral, dramatic calls he's made on the ice. It’s the personal connections and the journey that have shaped him, he said. Between McCauley's time at MSU, his family’s legacy in the sport or his active role in the NHL, he has a deep love for the game of hockey.  

"Hockey's been very good to me," McCauley said. "I was able to get a degree from a world-class university. I was able to meet people from all different walks of life. I've been able to achieve a dream in the National Hockey League, but with a little different path than normal. But I'm still out there and I’m gonna stay out there until they cut the skates off me."