Mitch Dunning: The NHL Referee's Gruesome Collision

On Monday night, the NHL world was shocked when referee Mitch Dunning was stretchered off the ice after a violent collision with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson. The impact sent Dunning to the ground, where he lay motionless for several minutes before being taken off the ice on a stretcher.
The collision occurred during the first period of the game between the Avalanche and the Philadelphia Flyers. As Manson attempted to clear the puck from the Avalanche zone, he collided with Dunning, who was skating in front of the net. The impact of the collision sent Dunning's head snapping back, and he immediately fell to the ice.
Medical personnel rushed to Dunning's aid, and he was eventually stretchered off the ice and taken to a local hospital. There, he was diagnosed with a concussion and a fractured jaw. Dunning is expected to make a full recovery, but he will miss the rest of the season.
The collision was a reminder of the dangers that referees face on a nightly basis. While they are protected by rules and regulations, they are still at risk of being injured by players who are skating at high speeds. In this case, Dunning was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The NHL has taken steps to improve the safety of its referees in recent years, but there is always more that can be done. The league could consider increasing the penalties for players who hit referees, or it could require referees to wear more protective gear.
Ultimately, the safety of referees is a shared responsibility between the league, the players, and the fans. By working together, we can help to ensure that referees are able to do their jobs safely and without fear of injury.