Debora
I am concerned about the likely long-term, negative impact hosting the goon fights here in Prince George will have on our city for many years to come. In this day and age, when we are teaching our youth the wrongs of bullying,and advocating on behalf of ending violence, I find it extremely disturbing that our mayor and council would agree to host an event which exploits violence, as a form of
entertainment. Outside of the NHL the only other place where 'goonery'(the practice of hiring tough guys to beat up on the opposition)is allowed and encouraged is in the military and the mafia. As a Clinical Neurophysiology Specialist, I perform brain studies (visible record of the electrical activity of the nerve cells of the brain)on professional boxers, wrestlers and extreme fighters, as this is one of the health clearance tests that are required by the Prince George Athletic Commission prior to any professional fighting contestant being issued a permit to fight. This testing is done to ensure the physical fitness of the fighter and to serve as a legal baseline in the event that the fighter sustains injury or serious trauma during the fight. Boxers, wrestlers and extreme fighters all undergo years of athletic and professional training, while hockey goons do not. If a hockey goon (without a helmet on) falls on the ice and sustains a serious head injury, who is liable? The fighter? The Prince George Athletic Commission or The City of Prince George for hosting this event in a public facility? Its not just the goons that need to have their brains examined on this one!

Since when do we care what people in Vancouver think of us up here in the heartland?As a taxpayer we want people to use our facilities so we can generate tax dollars and in theory that money that we make then gets put back into capital improvments (ie:pot holes getting fixed)I talk to people from Vancouver on a daily basis and let me tell you,if the $2800 a month for a mortgage over 30 years(no not a misprint)and the $350 per month to park your car or the $6000 per year for house taxes isn't confirmation that they are crazy ....I don't know what is.This is the same city that watched as Brian Burke took their pathetic hockey team and rebuilt it into a winner and then just stood by drinking their $4.00 coffee and didn't even riot when they got rid of him.I don't what does it,whether it's the smog or the salty sea air I just don't/can't comprehend why anyone in they're right mind would want to live there.Anyways I don't care what anyone in Vancouver or Brandon thinks up lil ol me here in PG and I think our city council shouldn't care either unless they (Vancouverites )want to cut us a cheque.The bottom line is if you don't like it don't go and if you do like the odd dust up between consenting adults,then let the fun begin.
ROCK keepin it real 24/7


psI hope the city got the first right of refusal to host "hockey gladiators"#2

I've tried to avoid commenting on this, but since you've asked for it... People in Prince George are bored! They are bored so they buy tickets for a hockey fight for entertainment and they're bored so they write in to every newspaper they can get to so as to take part in smearing the Citizens who bought tickets for the fight. Do you think we would all look this bad if the individuals living in our city gave our decision makers a little bit of support? If you think making a stink to get the fight cancelled is going to merit us or make us look less hicks-ville, consider this; we have more pubs per capita than in all of BC, we are the number one seller of sleds, ATV's and gas guzzling trucks and our downtown core is falling to pieces due to drugs and riff-raff. I've loved Prince George since I was a wee-one and for some reason I still cannot wait to head back home (Vernon). Why? Irrational debates about hockey fights! It gets tiring. Let people say what they are going to say about us, we know who we are. If your insecure about that or worried about what Vancouver or Manitoba thinks, move there and complain about us! I am neither for or against the fight.

After reviewing the medical/licensing requirements of Canadian Athletic Commissions,www.canadianboxing.com/medical.htm, I discovered that Prince George's Athletic Commission sanctions: professional Boxing & Wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai & Kickboxing. No listing of Hockey Enforcer Fighting or Goonery. In August 2004, one month before 'fight night'Wolski pulled the plug on the goon show in Winnipeg after learning that police might lay charges, under section 83 of Canada's Criminal Code, which prohibits unsanctioned Prize Fighting. Since Hockey Enforcer Fighting is not sanctioned by the Prince George Athletic Commission they would be hosting an illegal combative event, aka a 'Prize Fight'and all involved, promoters, medical staff, the City of Prince George, host commission, etc., would be subject to criminal charges under section 83 of Canada's Criminal Code. I hope this is the sort of research Prince George RCMP Const. Mike Caira is looking into.

Ho Hum,
Another big debate. I realize that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, some people just get a little carried away. I don't think that this show is any worse than boxing, wrestling, or ultamite fighting. I personally wouldn't go as I don't really care for fighting, nor would I take a child,but I wouldn't condem anyone else for going either. Use your own discetion people and if you don't like whats coming don't go. I'm sure that any knowledgable person would realize that this is not what hockey is all about, its quite simply entertainment.