Should the NHL ban fighting in Hockey?
As concussions in professional sports seems to be under a microscope. One issue that seems to be getting increased attention is fighting in the National Hockey League. (NHL) Concussion syndrome is under the spotlight and becoming one of the heated topics in professional sports. Some close to the sport are asking the question. Should the NHL ban fighting to decrease concussion injuries? I’ve been a hockey fan since 1970, and have always felt that fighting was a way for the players to police their own game, and reduce cheap dirty play.
In 2012 NHL players were polled, and asked if there was a place for fighting in the game. Their overwhelming response was that 95% of players believed fighting had a place in the game (Gormley). Washington Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin who grew up playing in European leagues, where fighting is not allowed, Ovechkin was asked if fighting belonged in hockey, he replied “One hundred percent” (qtd. In Gormley). Ovechkin went on to say if there was no fighting, goons would go after the best players inflicting cheap shots that could result in injury. This would please them because there would be no one to fight them for retribution (Gormley). Capitals winger Brooks Laich also weighed in saying “I think you might be trying to solve one problem, but you’re creating five others (qtd. In Gormley). Laich also said there would be more cheap shots and stick work and that the star players would feel the greatest of the abuse (Gormley).
Many fans believe fighting in hockey is for entertainment, although it can seem as a spectacle for fans, players don’t see them self’s as boxers (Iginla). The purpose of a fight is to stick up for yourself or a teammate after a dirty play (Iginla). Fighting holds players accountable for their actions more than just a penalty (Iginla). If fighting were taken out of hockey there would be much more stick work like slashing to the wrist and ankles and spearing to soft areas between the players pads (Iginla). Fighting gives the players the ability to hold each other accountable for their actions, and for players who cross the line, they will have to answer for it (Iginla).
Legendary Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, author of “There is a place for fighting in hockey” reinforces what Iginla, Ovechkin and Laich sense would happen if fighting was removed from hockey. Orr characterizes fighting as a tool to diminish dirty play. Professional hockey is a hard hitting and fast moving sport that at times can be frustrating. Orr would much rather face an opponent face to face. Instead of having a stick slashing across his wrist or ankles, being speared to the unprotected parts of the body, and the most egregious, hitting from behind, and targeting the head. These infractions can lead to far more serious injury compared to those found in fighting. In many cases, certain players would go after a player just because they could. This is where an enforcer gets
involved. An enforcer is a teammate whose job is to protect the younger and smaller players from the bullies stalking the ice (Orr). Certain players are on the ice for the sole purpose of creating havoc and disrupting the flow of the game (Orr). They do their best to get under the skin of the better more skilled players (Orr). It’s the enforces job to challenge them and get them off the ice (Orr).
Critics of fighting believe the act is harmful and needless, particularly when it comes to player safety and the increased awareness of concussion injuries (Iginla). They believe it is an unacceptable risk of getting an injury when one player strikes another with his fist, and experts are questioning whether the practice should be abolished (Hartell).
Dr. David Milzman, professor at Georgetown and Washington Hospital Center, and Medical Doctor for the Washington Capitals, took a special interest in head trauma (Stinson). Dr. Milzman using slow motion video studied 710 fights in 1,239 games. He recorded only 17 injuries during these games at a rate of 1.2% (Stinson). He found that it all came down to physics. To forcibly strike the scull with enough force to injure, you need to plant your front foot for leverage (Stinson). Players on skates are constantly moving back and forth and pulling on each other making it very difficult to deliver a punishing blow (Stinson). Dr. Milzman concluded “The fights aren’t causing the concussions, I can say that without a doubt” (qdt. In Stinson).
Professional hockey is fast moving and hard hitting sport. Because it moves so fast the officials tend to pay more attention to the players closest to the puck. By no fault of their own, they can miss dirty infractions outside of their vision, and the players inflicting the infraction know it (Orr). If fighting was removed from the game these type of players would be able to continue to commit cheap shots without immediate repercussion. Many close to the game feel for this reason fighting can reduce violence on the ice (Hartell). If a player knows he will be challenge for a particular transgression, he will be less likely to commit it in the first place (Hartell).
I love professional hockey. I think is one of the most exciting sports to watch. I have to admit that I enjoy fighting in the game. Not only because of the entertainment value, but I believe it is an important tool to keep the game safer and maintain the integrity of the game. We should listen to the players when they say fighting has a place in the game. If the NHL is looking to decrease the amount of head injuries, they should create stricter penalties for players who habitually target the head, and continue to allow the players to police their own game.
Gormley, Chuck. “How Would the NHL Look without Fighting?” Comcast SportsNet Washington. CNS Washington.com, 18 Nov. 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
Hattell, Seb. “Fighting in the NHL.” Sports Med BC.com. Sports Med BC.com, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
Iginla, Jarome. “Jarome Iginla: Hockey Is Better, Safer with Fighting in It | SI.com.” SI.com. SI.com, 15 Nov. 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
Orr, Bobby. “There Is a Place for Fighting in Hockey: Bobby Orr.” The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail. Com, 12 Oct. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2014
Stinson, Scott. “Brawls ‘aren’t Causing’ Head Trauma: Doctor.” National Post Sports Brawls Arent Causing Head Traumadoctor Comments. N.p., 21 Oct. 2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.