Linesman Don Henderson still recovering from Wideman hit

Watch as Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman runs over a referee after a taking a scary hit against the Nashville Predators. Dennis Wideman's 20-game suspension was upheld by the NHL after an appeal.

Linesman Don Henderson had surgery to repair two ruptured disks in his neck and there are fears from those close to him that his career could be over, according to Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe.

Henderson has officiated over 1,300 NHL games since joining the league in 1994.

The 47-year-old hasn’t been able to work since Jan. 27, when he was hit from behind by Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman. He underwent surgery three weeks ago.

The whole ordeal, which saw Wideman claim he was dazed after being on the receiving end of a hit by Nashville Predators forward Miikka Salomaki, had the NHL investigate Wideman’s motives by looking through his personal text messages.

Wideman received a 20-game suspension and served 19 games before an independent arbitrator retroactively cut the suspension in half, saving Wideman over $282,258.56 in salary.

The league eventually fired the arbitrator who made the decision and filed a lawsuit against the NHL Players’ Association back in June.

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