Why NHL referee offered Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler an apple during game

Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Why NHL referee offered Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler an apple during game

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 7, 2026 11:19 PM ET

A weird scene unfolded during Saturday's Montreal Canadiens-Toronto Maple Leafs game when referee TJ Luxmore pulled a green apple out of his pocket in the second period following a whistle. He then appeared to offer the apple to Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler.

It was one of the odder sequences of the season, and Fowler made sense of it after their 4-2 win.

Why an NHL referee offered Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler an apple

It turns out, Luxmore was not carrying the apple around during the game in case somebody needed a snack.

Fowler said after the game that a fan had thrown it at him, and the referee simply collected it and held on to it until there was a stoppage. Fowler laughed it off after the game, which was probably easier to do after a win.

Can I offer you an apple in this trying time?

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/qAjIlD26Mn pic.twitter.com/UFu7ltqXq8
— NHL (@NHL) November 8, 2026

Why throw an apple? Good question, but fans in Toronto have been known to throw a lot of random things on the ice over the years, mostly out of frustration.

Jerseys have been known to reach the ice from the stands, and there was a brief stretch during the 2010 season where waffles were thrown on the ice.

Add an apple to the list. At least it did not hurt anybody or disrupt the game. Do not throw food on the ice during games. Or anything.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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