NHL Update on Referee Mitch Dunning Injured in Flyers and Avalanche Game

The Philadelphia Flyers’ game against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday got off to a scary start when NHL referee Mitch Dunning was injured in an accidental collision with Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson.

Dunning, 32, was stretchered off after being in a heap on the ice with limited or no movement for about six minutes. Manson had slipped next to Dunning, presumably to apologize or check on him, as he was being carried off the ice to the ambulance.

The NHL later announced that Dunning was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution, that he had full movement of all extremities, was fully communicating, and showed no signs of neurological abnormalities.

NHL PR released the following statement approximately 45 minutes after the incident:

“Referee Mitch Dunning was taken to the hospital as a precaution following the collision during the Avalanche/Flyers game. “All neurological symptoms are normal, he is fully communicative and can move all his extremities.”

Flyers head coach John Tortorella said after the game that he did not even see the incident with Dunning and Manson happen.

“I didn’t even see it. I didn’t even see him,” Tortorella said. “We were worried about this. . . He had no feeling in his arms. That’s what I was told. But I think he’s good.”

avalanche defender Cale MakarLike Tortorella, he did not see the collision between Dunning and Manson. The unfortunate accident happened so quickly in what would normally be a routine game over a long game.

“Actually, I haven’t even seen it yet. I haven’t watched it,” Makar said. “I assumed there was a crash, but I haven’t seen it yet. So I hope it’s okay. You never want that to happen, especially with a crash like this.”

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, who earned his 400th overall win at the NHL level against the Flyers on Monday night, shared his perspective.

“Manson ran into him,” Bednar said. “He kind of spun backwards in the middle, (Manson) ran at him and rolled over. But I hear he’s OK.”

Warning started refereeing He played in the NHL in March 2019 and was promoted to full-time in 2022. His first NHL game as a referee was between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers on March 28, 2019.