The Penalty for Fighting

Don Sanderson, a twenty-one year old player for the Whitby Dunlops succumbed to the head wounds he suffered in a fall to the ice at the conclusion of a fight. The OHL is one of the few remaining leagues outside of the NHL that still allows fighting within the game. The question of weather fighting should be removed from the National League has been the subject of much debate for years, neither side seems willing to make a concession.

Don Cherry, tonight defended the place of fighting and it is true that it does serve a purpose to dispense justice to those plays that escape the eyes of the officials, or acts so heinous that a few minutes in the box are hardly an equitable trade, but the voices for change are growing. So what does the NHL need to do? No doubt the league is governed by stalwarts like Cherry who will resist such a loss of tradition and machismo, in fact the deputy commissioner of the NHL, Bill Daly, has been quoted: "It is an issue that from time to time is a point of discussion, so this may prompt further discussion. But I don't sense a strong sentiment to change the rules we currently have relating to fighting. We have advocated a mandatory chinstrap rule for at least the last eight years. The Players' Association has resisted the implementation of that rule, advocating player education instead.", will they take a look at this issue again in earnest, perhaps with an outreach to their fans for an accurate feeling of the popular opinion on fighting, or simply make a stand based on what they think is best for the game? To put it simply, will the NHL fit the game to themselves or the fans? Is it true that the fans are really drawn to the fights, and that the only protesters are the vocal minority (pronounced "the media")? It seems hard to argue that the fans are not drawn to the fight, with the popularity of the extreme fighting leagues. Does fighting make a tangible, positive impact on the game like so many think?

It all makes my head spin. It certainly seems difficult to allow the death of a young man just for the entertainment of the masses, or to pacify a few old men of tradition. Even if this death is not the direct result of a fight, and actually due to the fall afterward. . . it's hard to not feel like you're justifying a barbaric act for a barbaric hunger. Just to be clear, I love watching a good hockey fight, this seems to have no right answer.

Just wanted to hang this one out there, got to get to my game(s), see you at the rink.

Keep your stick on the ice,
bcIII