Does fighting belong in hockey? Tue, February 10, 2009
By John Miner and the Canadian Press
A London anti-violence expert is applauding recommendations from a panel on concussions that call for the elimination of fighting from all levels of hockey.
Peter Jaffe said the report could be the tipping point that changes the culture of the game.
The recommendations, resulting from meetings at the London Hockey Concussion Summit on Jan. 17-18, also calls from an elimination of high hits/head hits.
Does fighting belong in hockey? Is it an integral part of the game, or can the game of hockey survive and thrive with the inclusion of fisticuffs? Have your say in our forum.
I don't see it not happening. you can't prevent things like that when the stakes are high and so is the testosterone. Still, really bad behaviour has to be dealt with and severerly. a mix-up is nothing, a scuffle warrants a penalty. A Brawl should get game misconducts and severe cowardly acts that injures should not only receive stiff fines, but very possible lifetime ban from the NHL.
Gerry, 2009-02-10 10:50:35
Most people don't want to take fighting out of the NHL.
It's the brainless goons whose sole purpose is to go out for 4 or 5 minutes during the game and seek out fights.
This should be eliminated, but not honest fights from REAL hockey player.
gordholio, 2009-02-05 01:51:18
Some guys think that you have to fight with your fists to be a man.
Sure, there might be a time to do that, but not every bloody game - or 3 or 4 times a game.
One fight and you're gone for 20 minutes. Second fight, you're out of the game.
gordholio, 2009-02-05 01:49:09
Get rid of the guys who don't know how to play hockey and just fight.
There are plenty of guys in the minors who are better than Georges Laraque, etc. and can still throw the occasional punch.
The main point should be skating, passing and stickhandling, not how hard you punch.
gordholio, 2009-02-05 01:46:35
Hockey has never been a low brow game in the Canadian tradition it has been the right mix of athleticism, skill and little touch of macho. Some like Don Cherry want to change all that he wants to make hockey more like WWF. Way to go Don...er not.
David, 2009-02-01 13:11:19
fighting is absolutley part of NHL hockey, without it it's bush league
Hammertime, 2009-01-27 22:43:17
no. Love the game of hockey and love a good fight. If one wants a game without fighting there was a game played last Saturday in Montreal....have at 'er.
kwhunter, 2009-01-27 17:38:57
bill... you have seriously got to be joking.
For the players to keep the gloves on during a fight to negate the need to take off the helmet? You can't be serious.
Do you have any idea what's in those gloves, in particular where the knuckles and fingers are? Do you have any idea what damage can be done to a face with these gloves? There are reasons why the players have to take off the gloves to fight, for crying out loud. You have no clue, man... none whatsoever.
Paul, 2009-01-27 14:55:30
Fighting is a part of hockey. However, one thing does need to change in the NHL - goons.
Guys like former Senator Brian McGratton... Donald Brashear... guys whose only purpose playing the game is to fight because they do not have the skills to contribute in any other way, the guys who might suit up the regular season but don't even play the playoffs... these guys have to go.
It's expected to see a fight every once in a while - even greats like Gordie Howe got into fights (ever hear of a Gordie How hat-trick?).
Heat of the moment fights are normal... get rid of the guys who only get out there on the ice to do so. How do get rid of them, I do not know, but these guys are the main cause of this discussion in the first place.
Paul, 2009-01-27 14:48:13
Over the years players have suffered serious injuries from sticks, skates, pucks and body checks.
They're all part of hockey... as is fighting.
If you want to clean up the game, ban Chris Pronger's elbows!
Quit trying to change a game that has been great for a century.
Probert, 2009-01-25 10:50:08
Does fighting belong in hockey?
Gerry, 2009-02-10 10:50:35
It's the brainless goons whose sole purpose is to go out for 4 or 5 minutes during the game and seek out fights.
This should be eliminated, but not honest fights from REAL hockey player.
gordholio, 2009-02-05 01:51:18
Sure, there might be a time to do that, but not every bloody game - or 3 or 4 times a game.
One fight and you're gone for 20 minutes. Second fight, you're out of the game.
gordholio, 2009-02-05 01:49:09
There are plenty of guys in the minors who are better than Georges Laraque, etc. and can still throw the occasional punch.
The main point should be skating, passing and stickhandling, not how hard you punch.
gordholio, 2009-02-05 01:46:35
David, 2009-02-01 13:11:19
Hammertime, 2009-01-27 22:43:17
kwhunter, 2009-01-27 17:38:57
For the players to keep the gloves on during a fight to negate the need to take off the helmet? You can't be serious.
Do you have any idea what's in those gloves, in particular where the knuckles and fingers are? Do you have any idea what damage can be done to a face with these gloves? There are reasons why the players have to take off the gloves to fight, for crying out loud. You have no clue, man... none whatsoever.
Paul, 2009-01-27 14:55:30
Guys like former Senator Brian McGratton... Donald Brashear... guys whose only purpose playing the game is to fight because they do not have the skills to contribute in any other way, the guys who might suit up the regular season but don't even play the playoffs... these guys have to go.
It's expected to see a fight every once in a while - even greats like Gordie Howe got into fights (ever hear of a Gordie How hat-trick?).
Heat of the moment fights are normal... get rid of the guys who only get out there on the ice to do so. How do get rid of them, I do not know, but these guys are the main cause of this discussion in the first place.
Paul, 2009-01-27 14:48:13
They're all part of hockey... as is fighting.
If you want to clean up the game, ban Chris Pronger's elbows!
Quit trying to change a game that has been great for a century.
Probert, 2009-01-25 10:50:08