NHL Issues Update on the Condition of Injured Referee Mitch Dunning

It was a scary scene in Philadelphia Monday night when an NHL referee had to be stretchered off the ice during a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche. Avs defenseman Josh Manson accidentally hit Mitch Dunning in the back, causing him to go down in severe pain.

The game continued on with one referee and two linesmen.

The entire scene was nerve-wracking as medical staff on scene did what they could to help referee Mitch Dunning before he was taken to hospital. In what can only be described as the best possible outcome, the NHL has issued an update saying Dunning is communicative and can move all of his extremities.

Dunning played hockey professionally as a defenseman. That included stints in both the OHL, and GOJHL. He then shifted his focus to officiating, and was hired as a full-time referee by the NHL in 2022.

It's great to here that referee Mitch Dunning will make a full recovery, and hopefully he'll be back on the ice as soon as possible. All the best and stick taps for Mitch Dunning!

There was certainly no intent on the part of the Colorado Avalanche's Josh Manson, and I'm sure he felt horrible over the whole thing. Manson has earned a tough guy reputation, but isn't one to target officials.

Anything can happen with so many players and officials on the ice in the fastest league in the world, and accidents are a given at some point.