Referee stretchered off in Avs-Flyers game after collision

Assistant referee Jonny Moore hit by Flyers' Travis Konecny

Assistant referee Jonny Moore was stretchered off the ice after a collision with Flyers forward Travis Konecny during the second period of Tuesday night's game between the Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers.

Moore was skating behind the Flyers' net when Konecny came crashing into him, knocking him to the ice. Moore lay motionless on the ice for several minutes before being stretchered off. He was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday that Konecny will have a hearing on Thursday for an illegal check to the head.

Moore's injury is a reminder of the dangers that referees face on a nightly basis.

Referees are often in the line of fire, and they can be injured by players, pucks, or other objects. In 2019, referee Steve Kozari was seriously injured when he was hit by a puck in the head. Kozari suffered a concussion and a fractured skull, and he was forced to retire from officiating.

The NHL has taken steps to improve the safety of referees, but there is still more that can be done. The league could require players to wear helmets with visors, and it could also increase the penalties for hitting referees.

In the meantime, referees like Moore will continue to put their bodies on the line to ensure that the game is played fairly. They deserve our respect and our support.

Here is a list of some of the injuries that referees have suffered in recent years:

These are just a few examples of the dangers that referees face on a nightly basis.

It is important to remember that referees are people too, and they deserve our respect and our support.