NHL Referee Mitch Dunning Able to Move Extremities After Collision with Josh Manson
NHL referee Mitch Dunning is fully responsive and able to move all of his extremities following a violent collision with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson during Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center.
The National Hockey League confirmed that Dunning was taken to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure, and early neurological assessments showed no abnormalities.
The incident occurred early in the first period when Manson, skating alone near the blue line, collided with Dunning, who was positioned near the boards. The impact caused Dunning to fall hard to the ice, leaving him motionless for several minutes. However, Dunning was seen moving his feet and his right hand as Manson approached to check on him, offering some reassurance about his condition.
The game was paused for several minutes as medical personnel attended to Dunning.
Colorado defenseman Cale Makar, who later scored two goals in his team’s 3-2 victory, described the scene from the bench. He mentioned seeing Manson holding his face and Dunning on the ice, adding that it was a tough moment and one players hope to avoid, particularly when it’s the result of an accidental collision.
Dunning, a former professional hockey player who spent parts of three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), transitioned into officiating after his playing career. He was promoted to a full-time NHL officiating position in 2022.
The game resumed with one referee and two linespersons while Dunning was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
