Former Maroon avoids serious injury in NHL game

Former Chatham Maroon Mitch Dunning was stretchered off the ice during Monday’s game between the Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia.

Dunning, who made the transition from a junior hockey player to a NHL referee, was injured after he was clipped by a Avalanche player. Dunning had to be stretchered off the ice and was transported to a local Philadelphia hospital. NHL Public Relations, via its social media account, gave an update on Dunning’s condition following the game, saying he was communicating with hospital staff and able to move all extremities.

A further update from a media source on Tuesday said Dunning was now relaxing at home.

A Tecumseh native, Dunning played in the OHL with the Sarnia Sting and Windsor Spitfires. He played with the Maroons during the 2009-2010 season, appearing in 34 games.

After his junior hockey career ended, Dunning began officiating Junior B and Junior C games across southwestern Ontario. He was hired by the OHL and quickly rose up to become a referee in the ECHL and AHL.

Dunning made his NHL debut in 2019. He was promoted as a full-time referee in the NHL in 2022.