The Supreme Court will not hear the long-running case of a hockey referee who was seriously injured during a minor-league game in Manitoba.

Derrick Henderson was officiating a 2002 peewee game in Brandon when he collided with a player during a line change and was left with permanent neck and back injuries.

While all sides acknowledged the collision was unintentional, Henderson sued the team's coach for negligence.

The trial judge sympathized with Henderson's injuries, but ruled the collision was an unfortunate accident for which no fault could be found.

The Manitoba Court of Appeal upheld that ruling, so Henderson asked the Supreme Court for a review.

The high court on Thursday denied the referee's application for leave to appeal.