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Bloodcurdling scene in Philadelphia as NHL referee was stretchered off the ice following a frightening injury
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A bloodcurdling scene just surfaced in Philadelphia as a National Hockey League referee was just stretched off the ice after suffering a scary injury.
It's pretty obvious that the NHL is a dangerous sport, but not only for the players, also for the referees involved during the game as well.
We saw a prime example of this tonight after an official was involved in a collision with a player.
NHL referee Mitch Dunning was involved in a collision with Colorado Avalanche's defenseman Josh Mason, and ended up falling to the ice.
Medical personnel immediately attended Mitch Dunning who was laying bent over on the ice in serious pain.
The medical personnel quickly determined that Dunning would need to be stretchered out of the game.
Not long after the injury surfaced it was revealed that Dunning had suffered a back injury during this collision.
It was also announced that he was being transported to the closest hospital for further evaluation
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https://x.com/billmeltzer/status/1858677125957435796
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https://x.com/billmeltzer/status/1858677125957435796
While Dunning was being stretchered off of the ice, Josh Mason who ended up colliding with him came over to check up on him.
It's not common to see NHL officials being injured, but it just shows how scary the game of hockey really is. No one on the ice is safe.
Dunning was a professional hockey player before becoming a referee, playing in the OHL as a defenseman for the Windsor Spitfires during the 2009-10 season.
Dunning spoke about what made him want to be a referee after suffering multiple injuries during his playing career.
«I ran into some injury trouble,» Mitch explains. «I had some issues with my right and left knees. I required two ACL reconstructions in three years. Which pretty much sealed the deal in terms of my professional hockey career! I was sidelined for an entire year.»
Well, I don't think many young hockey players envision themselves as an official,» Mitch laughs. «Obviously, you grow up viewing them as the guys that throw you in the penalty box. So, you never really think of yourself as following that route. But, for me, it was a very organic process. It's something I really took to. I really love it.»
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mitch Dunning after being involved in this scary incident.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 18 | 547 ANSWERS Bloodcurdling scene in Philadelphia as NHL referee was stretchered off the ice following a frightening injury Do you think NHL referees should be forced to wear more protective gear? | ||
| Yes | 409 | 74.8 % |
| No | 138 | 25.2 % |
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