Hockey Tough

Hockey Tough: Forever and Always

Hockey, by nature, is known as a tough and dangerous sport. It is a game that places grown men on thin pieces of steel chasing a rubber puck across frozen water. As such, the game of hockey is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports in the world. Hockey is also the only team sport that allows opposing teammates to square off in a physical fighting match within the game. In recent years, however, the allowance of fighting has become a controversial issue. Those who oppose fighting point out that there has been injury and even deaths to hockey players as a result of fights. People who oppose the allowance of fighting within the game also point out that fighting may send messages to young fans

that violent acts are acceptable and, at times, even encouraged. On the other side of the debate are those people who believe that the allowance of fighting serves an important function within the game, as it keeps the players in line and serves to make every player accountable for his actions. These people maintain that the game of hockey would simply not be the same without fighting. Upon an in-depth examination and a critical analysis of both sides of this issue, this paper will demonstrate that fighting is justifiable in the sport of hockey as fighting has a long history within the game, the majority of hockey injuries are not the result of fights, and the looming threat of a fight makes all players on the ice accountable their actions.
As the world around us is changing, so too are the morals and ethical codes of the general public. While once considered acceptable, fighting has come to be viewed as an act that is inadvertently bad for society, both in the public sphere and in the sports realm. Along with these views has come the push towards removing fighting from the game of hockey. Those people who want to see fighting banned from this sport contend that the elimination of fighting will provide a greater drawing power, allowing the game to attract a new group of fans. They believe that the elimination of fighting will turn the game of hockey into a more “family friendly” sport, rather than a perceived “wrestling match” on ice. Additionally, proponents of the removal of fighting from hockey point out that different sponsors may be more interested in financially supporting the game and having their logo associated with a sport that is considered to be “clean”. It is believed that potential sponsors may not like the current image of the National Hockey League (NHL) as fighting is currently a major part of the game . Those who oppose fighting in this sport also tend to hold the opinion that the game will become safer if fighting is banned. For example, Boston Globe writer Christopher Gasper claims that taking fighting out of hockey will lead to a safer game. As is noted by Gasper, “I’m not anti-fighting but I’m anti-brain damage” . Gasper argues that with fighting out of the game, players, like Boston Bruins’ tough guy Shawn Thornton, will have less brain damage later in life. Thornton however, in response to Gaspers comment, stated that taking fighting out of hockey would be like taking oxygen out of the air.
After critically analyzing many of the arguments made by those who oppose fighting within the game of hockey, I will attempt to show that many of these arguments are inherently flawed, and as such, fighting should still be considered acceptable within the sport of hockey.

First off all, those who contend that taking fighting out of hockey will make the game much safer are somewhat flawed in their arguments. These people fail to recognize that all players in the sport play by “The Code”: an unwritten set of rules that all players know and respect. Fighting, therefore, is employed as a policing system in the game in order to ensure the code is upheld. Just as the United States’ Government has checks and balances, so too does hockey with respect to fighting. Fighting allows players to take matters into their own hands when games get rowdy and the code is broken. For example, if a player on a team were to “cheap shot” the opposing team’s player, especially a star player, that player would be violating the unwritten “code” of the game. As a result of this violation, a fight would ensue, thereby sending the message that cheap shots and dirty plays will not be tolerated. The idea of fighting having a particular place withing the game of hockey has been vocalized by Gordie Howe, an NHL legend who is the epitome of what defines hockey with 1,071 goals and 2,419 penalty minutes. Howe once stated, “If you get rid of fighting, you are going to get more of the dirty play. Let them

fight, and get rid of the stick work.” Therefore, if fighting were to be eliminated from the game, dirty plays that horrify hockey fans will be more prevalent, ultimately leading to an even dirtier game. In response to those people who contend that fighting leads to a great deal of injuries within the NHL, it is important to highlight the findings of Dr. David Milzman, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Milzman claims that it is not the fights in hockey that cause the most dangers; instead, it is the body checks from behind. Due to the nature of the sport and being on ice, it is difficult to get enough traction for a powerful punch that actually makes contact. Furthermore, in a study done over the NHL 2010-2011 season, 710 fights were watched and analyzed. The results from this study indicated that the 710 hockey fights led to just 17 reported injuries, and five of these injuries were cuts to the knuckles. The risk of concussion was then looked at, to see if the rumored correlation between fighting and concussion holds true. The study found that the risk of concussion in a fight was 0.39% compared to the natural risks of the game being about 4.5%. Therefore, the contention that fighting is what is causing the risk and the injuries in hockey should be invalidated.
As another point, fighting has always been viewed in a respectful manner by the coaches and management of competitive hockey franchises. A player who is willing to fight shows his dedication and willingness to do whatever it takes to make it to the highest ranks in hockey. When players try out for Junior A teams coaches applaud those who are willing to fight and show that they have the heart and dedication to make the team. Although it is true that the required skill level for the game has increased drastically over the past several decades, there is still the need for those players who are willing to put their bodies on the line for their team. This role is that of the “grinder” or, more nicely put, as a “role player”. It is these tough enforcers who have shown their toughness and ability to not only play a physical game, but also to keep up with the skill levels of competing players. If hockey officials were to take fighting out of the game, it would be taking away the livelihoods of many players and also one of the key aspects that serves to make hockey truly unique. Without fighting, the game of hockey would radically change, making it a different game and unrecognizable to some great players of the past who prided themselves on their physical nature and willingness to “drop the gloves”.
This essay has demonstrated that both sides of the NHL fighting debate are passionate in their views of what the NHL should do.

One group of people contends that fighting should be eliminated within the sport as it leads to negative connotations and judgments and too many players are injured as a result of fighting, while proponents claim that fighting has an integral place in the game of hockey, and, in fact, the majority if hockey injuries are not the cause of fights, but instead, hits from behind. It is my personal opinion that fighting has an important place in the game, and that with the absence of fighting, hockey will actually turn into a game that is even more dangerous. It is therefore my contention that taking fighting out of the game would be like taking the Legislative Branch out of the United States Government. With fighting removed from the game of hockey, the sport will see an increase in dirty plays, play which, studies have shown, lead to more traumatic injuries than fighting. Also, the game will move away from what truly makes it hockey and the toughest sport on earth. After one has watched, and been involved in the game long enough, it is clear to see that fighting, however dangerous it may appear, is actually a positive factor of the game. When games get out of hand, or certain players do not abide by the Codes, it is sometimes the case that referees cannot bring order to the game. This is when fighting provides its check on the game, as it brings

justice and helps to return the match to an even keel. With everything that’s been said, it is CBC’s host of Coach’s Corner, Don Cherry, who says it best: ”Anybody who says they don’t like fighting in the NHL has to be out of their minds.”