PHILADELPHIA — NHL referee Mitch Dunning was taken off the ice on a stretcher after he collided with Colorado defenceman Josh Manson in Monday night’s game at Philadelphia.
Manson was alone on the ice when he slammed into Dunning early in the first period. Dunning went down in a heap and lay prone on the ice for several minutes. Dunning appeared to be moving his feet and moved his right hand when Manson went to talk to him.
The game was delayed for several minutes while trainers and medical staff tended to Dunning.
A sideline reporter for the Philadelphia Flyers said Dunning suffered a “major back injury” and was being transported directly to a hospital.
Dunning is a former professional hockey defenceman who played parts of three seasons in the OHL. He later shifted into officiating and was promoted to full-time NHL status in 2022.
–with files from Sportsnet
