NHL referee's career may be over after being viciously attacked by player.

One senseless act of frustration may have cost a referee his on-ice career.

According to Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe, linesman Don Henderson underwent neck surgery early in July to repair damage from a vicious hit delivered by Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman on Jan.27. There is now real concern that the official may never be able to ref another game.

Wideman was originally suspended for 20 games, but the sentence was later reduced to 10 contests by a neutral arbitrator. Wideman was later diagnosed with a concussion, but it is unknown whether the injury had anything to do with the incident.

Henderson was unable to return to the ice for the remainder of the NHL season and playoffs due to the injury. The NHL has since filed a lawsuit against the Players' Association with the hope of vacating the reduced suspension ruling.

Henderson's colleagues are outraged at the news of his career being in jeopardy.

"I know a lot of people are saying stuff like, 'Hey, Wideman’s not that type of guy . . . that’s not in his nature . . . he’s a good kid,'" a fellow official told Dupont. "And I say, 'Yeah, so what?!' That doesn’t make it any less egregious. He attacked him from behind, the puck was nowhere near the two of them, and now Henderson’s career may be finished."

[pub]