Referee Mitch Dunning, center, is stretchered off the ice after an injury during the first period of an NHL hockey game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Derik Hamilton / AP Photo)
By The Associated Press November 18, 2024 at 5:48pm
NHL referee Mitch Dunning is fully communicative and can move all his extremities following a violent collision with Colorado defenseman Josh Manson in Monday night’s game at Philadelphia.
The NHL said Dunning was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons and that all neurological signs are normal.
Manson skated alone on the ice when he slammed into Dunning near the blue line early in the first period. Dunning went down in a heap and lay prone on the ice for several minutes.
Referee Mitch Dunning is currently being stretchered off the ice in Philadelphia after this collision with Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson. Hope he is okay 🙏
— Nasty Knuckles (@NastyKnuckles) November 19, 2024
Dunning appeared to be moving his feet and moved his right hand when Manson went to talk to him.
The game at the Wells Fargo Center was delayed for several minutes while trainers and medical staff tended to Dunning.
Referee Mitch Dunning was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a collision with defenseman Josh Manson during Colorado Avalanche vs. Philadelphia Flyers. https://t.co/zRclvb7p8y #COLvsPHI #GoAvsGo #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/QCJ45TVwPf
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) November 19, 2024
Do you ever watch NHL games?
“I just got back to the bench and next thing I know I looked out and saw Mans was kind of holding his face and the ref was on the ground,” said Colorado defenseman Cale Makar.
He added: “You never want to see that happen, especially on an accident like that. Very tough. Hopefully he’s OK.”
Makar scored two goal in Colorado’s 3-2 win over the Flyers.
Dunning is a former professional hockey defenseman who played parts of three seasons in the OHL.
He later shifted into officiating and was promoted to full-time NHL status in 2022.
The game continued with one referee and two linespersons.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter
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