Fighting in hockey has, once again, re-surfaced, and become a controversial issue.

 

The topic re-appeared shortly after defenceman Don Sanderson of the Whitby Dunlops died as a result of a fight against Corey Fulton in an Ontario Hockey Association senior game vs the Brantford Blast. His helmet came off during the fight and when both players fell Sanderson's unprotected head hit the ice.

As well, there was more fuel added to the fire when Philadelphia Phantoms (the AHL farm club of the Philadelphia Flyers) forward Garrett Klotz, was hospitalized when he had a seizure following a fight against Kevin Westgarth of the Manchester Monarchs. Klotz suffered multiple facial lacerations.

 

The NHL will again address this topic at the general managers meeting next month. Considering the aforementioned incidents, I believe it is the GM's responsibility to raise this subject, and discuss the ramifications to the league and the sport. However, I do not believe there is a need to make a major change.

 

When I attend WHL games at CN Centre or watch the pros on television, I am interested in the game and skill itself and I am perfectly comfortable without fighting; however, the NHL “suits” should not consider removing on-ice bouts from the game. The following is the basis of my rationale: 

 

Tradition-Fighting has been a long standing tradition in hockey. It’s been around since the inception of the game over 100 years ago. Why tamper with tradition? NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has already changed many long standing mystiques and traditions, so the fewer the better.

 

Dictates flow of the game- Unlike any other sport, fighting has a unique way of changing the momentum of the game. It is used as a strategy to assist teams when they are behind or need a lift. It can certainly boost morale. When a team is getting crushed on the scoreboard, there is a certain message being sent that the game certainly isn't over when the team’s enforcer steps up and battles the other club’s tough guy.

 

Protection-Like it or not, the enforcer protects the superstar from injury. Just ask Wayne Gretzky how valuable Dave Semenko was on his line. In the NFL quarter backs are protected by rules while in hockey they are protected by enforcers or as some would say “Goons”.

 

Hockey-Fights safeguard from “cheap” hockey- Many players take liberties on all players, superstars, or not, with sticks, kicking, etc. An enforcer deals with these players. However, not as much as the Broad Street Bullies (Philadelphia Flyers) in the 70's, but they still do.

 

Character- Fighting adds character and identity to teams in the game. For example, those Broad Street Bullies were characters of the game and society wanted them beaten. It had an uncanny way of attracting more interest to the game.

 

Honesty- It is much better to have a face-to-face, man-to-man tilt rather than a Todd Bertuzzi type of attack. With fighting removed, players will find another way to try and get the “edge”. Since the NHL instituted the instigator rule, and minimized the role of the goon more players take liberties on the opposition. If this isn’t dealt with properly, the risk of serious injuries may increase. 

 

The American public condones and supports fighting. A Harris-Decima survey states that 54 per cent of Canadian respondents do not support fighting while 40 per cent are in favor. Nonetheless, like it or not, fighting increases gate receipts, especially in U.S. Markets. It is a business strategy.

All star hockey- Final point….Remove fighting and you could get All Star Circus type of hockey. How many fans really enjoyed the all-star game? I know this is an exaggeration, but removing fighting will lead us down this road to a similar brand of hockey. Is that what fans really want?

 

In conclusion, I think it simplistic to say that the elimination of fighting will result in fewer concussions or injuries. Hockey is a physical sport and team toughness is part of what each club needs to be successful. Yes, being an enforcer can be dangerous, but the combatants realize the risk well before the gloves are dropped. Comedians often use the line “they went to the fights and a hockey game broke out”. That old adage may be stretching this issue a tad, but fighting and hockey definitely go hand-in-hand (no pun intended).

 

 

A tabloid published a picture of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps at a party taking a huge hit from a bong. I think there's an important lesson to be learned here: Kids, never share your pot with someone who has the lung capacity of a dolphin. NBC's Conan O'Brien

The economy is so bad, New York Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez had to switch from steroids to Flintstone vitamins. NBC's Jay Leno

 

Dallas Cowboy receiver Terrel Owen has his own Reality TV Show that will explore his attempt to change his life. The title has yet to be announced but discussions are ongoing to get the rights to The Biggest Loser. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

Kellogg’s dropped Michael Phelps as a spokesman after he was photographed using a bong. So let me get this straight, a guy was fired for using marijuana by the maker of Pop-Tarts? Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

 

Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

Guitar Hero ads will continue to run with Michael Phelps. Who's he going to be, El Ka-bong?
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

 

 

Dan Daly of the Washington Times with an appropriate headline if Michael Phelps decides to call it a career.

 

 

Ian Hamilton the Regina Leader-Post, with his prediction on the next break-fast cereal endorsement for Michael Phelps