NHL provides update on referee Mitch Dunning who suffered a violent collision on Monday in Avalanche vs Flyers

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Sam Walker
November 20, 2024 (5:47 PM)

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Referee Mitch Dunning was stretchered off the ice on Monday night in Philadelphia following a collision with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson.

Manson is a 6-foot-3, 220lb defensemen who collided hard with a referee, wearing little to no protection.

It was an accidental collision by Manson when he struck Dunning in the back, and today, the NHL has issued an update following the injury up Dunning, which caused him to be stretchered off of the ice.

After being stretchered off the ice, the Flyers vs Avalanche game continued with only only referee, and the same as always- two linesmen.

Thankfully, after a quick visit to the hospital, the NHL has issued an official update:

NHL referee Mitch Dunning communicative, can move extremities following violent collision

"The NHL said Dunning was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons and that all neurological signs are normal."

"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."

Said CTV news

Dunning was a pro hockey defensemen in his youth, including times in the OHL and GOJHL. He was then hired as an NHL referee in 2022.

Update: #NHL referee Mitch Dunning is back home and resting after a scary collision last night in Philadelphia that saw him taken off the ice on a stretcher.

Dunning is sore but otherwise doing fine after examination at a local hospital.

Great news

Said NHL Dailyfaceoff insider Frank Seravalli

Thankfully, all signs are normal. Stick taps go out to Mitch Dunning for taking the hard hit, and fans have their fingers crossed in hopes for a swift return to the ice.