In an alarming incident during Monday night's NHL game in Philadelphia, referee Mitch Dunning was involved in a severe collision with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson. Fortunately, Dunning is now reported to be fully communicative and able to move all his extremities following the accident.

The collision occurred early in the first period when Manson, skating alone, unexpectedly collided with Dunning, leaving the referee down on the ice for several tense minutes. Eyewitnesses noted that while he lay there, Dunning appeared to move his feet and even raised his right hand to acknowledge Manson, who came over to check on him.

Emergency medical personnel quickly rushed onto the ice, and the game was paused for several minutes while they assessed Dunning's condition. After thorough evaluation, he was transported to a local hospital for precautionary measures, but thankfully, all neurological signs were reported to be normal.

Dunning's background adds an intriguing layer to this incident. Before stepping into the officiating role, he had a brief professional career as a hockey defenseman, playing parts of three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His commitment to the sport led him to transition into officiating, culminating in his promotion to a full-time NHL referee in 2022.

Following the incident, the game resumed with one referee and two linespersons, highlighting the crucial role officiating plays even amidst unexpected challenges. Dunning's ability to communicate and move after such a shocking collision is a relief to fans and players alike as they await further updates on his recovery.

Stay tuned for more updates on Dunning's condition and the impact of this incident on the officiating crew in the NHL.