Fighting in Hockey

[Infected Mushroom]

I just don't understand why fighting is tolerated in hockey when it isn't in other sports. Despite being a Canadian, I am constantly appalled by many of my fellow nationals' high tolerance and acceptance of fighting and violence in hockey and especially in the NHL.

I've never understood the argument that fighting is ''necessary'' for the sport. I understand that its part of the attraction of the sport for many; but as a civilized society, I don't think we should encourage or be attracted to displays of genuine violence. I think Canada should be too civilized for this sort of thing and should be above that.

Fighting in hockey should be banned. Anyone who participates in a fight should not only be immediately eliminated and disqualified, but also be completely open to potential claims in torts (battery, assault etc) and criminal prosecution. Why should hockey be any different from sports like soccer and basketball where we wouldn't tolerate such violent nonsense?

Only in hockey do you have teams that openly hire ''enforcers''/''goons'' who specialize in trying to provoke key players on the other team into fights to try and disqualify them/eliminate them/demoralize them. This is totally not cool with me. Yes players who fight are EVENTUALLY disqualified (after a surprisingly lenient procedure) and there are unwritten/written rules governing fighting (ex you can't fight with sticks) but its ridiculous that this sort of criminal behavior (in any other context, there is zero tolerance for starting a fight with other people and trying to provoke them into combat) is tolerated at all.

Its like if society suddenly decided to allow bar fights and schoolyard fights subject to certain ''limitations (for example, imagine if it were ok to beat up someone who annoyed you provided you didn't use weapons and provided this wasn't your Xth time doing it).'' Its outrageous I say.

A ton of people watch sports, young and old but especially the young. Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada and it is not merely a sport. People could imitate this stuff in real life; its very influential. It is a statement of Canadian identity and an influence on people's behavior; its a statement on what Canada is as a nation and as a society. Celebration and toleration for violence should not be a part of that.

It is time to really crack down on the violence in the ice rink and get rid of it. What do you think NSG?

[Shilya]

I suggest we accept hockey for at least as long as boxing is legal.

[Infected Mushroom]

I suggest we accept hockey for at least as long as boxing is legal.

that's why boxing should not be allowed either. Especially as people have a history of getting serious injuries in boxing.

It happens in hockey too.

[-The Trade Federation-]

Provides a few minutes of entertainment

Also, heresy.

[Ioghrnia]

Yeah, no. Get rid of fighting and I guarantee you'll see a dramatic drop in popularity for a sport that's already a distant third in the US. That's coming from a die-hard hockey fan, too.

Honestly,it's what sets it apart from football, basketball and baseball. It's a tougher sport.

[Wisconsin9]

"Ban fun shit!"-- just about every thread you've ever made.

[Infected Mushroom]

"Ban fun shit!"-- just about every thread you've ever made.

its not fun to watch people try to hurt each other with acts of genuine violence. it should never be acceptable and people could get injured

society shouldn't be condoning this

[-The Trade Federation-]

"Ban fun shit!"-- just about every thread you've ever made.

I agree with my dear friend here.

Seriously, all threads you do is about banning everyday things or animals (such as dogs) and critisizing things that humans, the intelligent but SLIIGHTLY sadistic Homo Sapienz we are, love.

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

Ban Dogs is all I have to say to this idea

On the serious side though, boxing, no. Hockey, yes. Hockey was never meant to be a fighting sport with hand to hand and CQC fighting.

[Arcerion]

Lets get down to it. I have played hockey for most of my life and I believe the inverse. it should be penalized, of course, but it must remain. Also, fellow Canuck.

I've never understood the argument that fighting is ''necessary'' for the sport. I understand that its part of the attraction of the sport for many; but as a civilized society, I don't think we should encourage or be attracted to displays of genuine violence. I think Canada should be too civilized for this sort of thing and should be above that.

Necessary is a strange word for it. I remember the biggest fight I was ever in was a bench-clearer. The game was going nowhere, it was getting more violent with dirty hits and shallow refereeing. Someone cross checked my goalie in the top of his head after he got up post-whistle. He went down and was dazed for minutes afterwards. Am I going to let someone do that to my team mate? Hell no. So when a defenseman hit the guy in the face, and the fight started, I stood up for my team mates.

Its about honour, for me at least. As for the civilized part and genuine displays of violence, we let UFC and boxing continue. And there are forms of combative sports in the Olympics. Should we ban those as well?

Only in hockey do you have teams that openly hire ''enforcers''/''goons'' who specialize in trying to provoke key players on the other team into fights to try and disqualify them/eliminate them/demoralize them. This is totally not cool with me. Yes players who fight are EVENTUALLY disqualified (after a surprisingly lenient procedure) and there are unwritten/written rules governing fighting (ex you can't fight with sticks) but its ridiculous that this sort of criminal behavior (in any other context, there is zero tolerance for starting a fight with other people and trying to provoke them into combat) is tolerated at all.

Not really anymore. The old days of Scott Stevens and Tie Domi enforcers is a bygone era. That was when head hits and dirty corner plays were common, and such goons were necessary to protect the younger and faster players, your Wayne Gretzkys. Mart McSorley? Gretzky's bodyguard. The reason the Great One earned that title was because someone was there to stick up for him and hurt anyone who would do the same.

I don't think it is ridiculous. Again, its not about provoking someone to pull a penalty. There is instigating penalties, so now it is just 4 on 4. It is more often about honour or targeting a player who has been playing unfairly. A good example is why bruisers don't fight guys like Sidney Crosby, because there is an honour code that they are not to be touched. And if they do get touched, the defensman's job (Brooks Orpik, for example) to ensure that such behaviour isn't tolerated. If someone hits your goalie, which is a cardinal sin in hockey, then you drop the gloves. Simple as that.

Its like if society suddenly decided to allow bar fights and schoolyard fights subject to certain ''limitations (for example, imagine if it were ok to beat up someone who annoyed you provided you didn't use weapons and provided this wasn't your Xth time doing it).'' Its outrageous I say.

No, those are public scenarios. When you're on the ice, you accept that violence is going to be involved. Hitting and fighting are a part of hockey. Bar fights and schoolyard brawls are not accepted in common society, because often both parties aren't in agreement to fight. Such as assaulting someone who spills your drink in a bar versus beating someone's face in because they just knocked your right winger unconscious with a head hit.

A ton of people watch sports, young and old but especially the young. Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada and it is not merely a sport. People could imitate this stuff in real life; its very influential. It is a statement of Canadian identity and an influence on people's behavior; its a statement on what Canada is as a nation and as a society. Celebration and toleration for violence should not be a part of that.

I imitate it. Hockey is a team sport. It teaches leadership, determination, perseverance, and honour. Even at its lowest levels. I remember being 7 years old, having a tooth knocked out (was already loose), skating to the bench and spitting the bloody molar in in my coach's hand. When I wanted to come off, my coach didn't let me. My father explained why on the way home, and its because it was my shift, and the expectation was that I contribute and work as part of that team, and when someone tries to hurt your team, you protect them.

Disagree. We shouldn't celebrate fighting in hockey, but we should understand that its a part of it. Its built around the mentality and ethos that is instilled in every player.

It is time to really crack down on the violence in the ice rink and get rid of it. What do you think NSG?

Never. We need to crack down on the sort of play and conduct that leads to fights. Its like trying to get angry at a fire. Why not just prevent the fire from happening by solving the cause?

Lord knows, I got a concussion when I was fifteen playing hockey after being hit from behind. They had to pull my center of the guy that did it. And you know what? He got suspended for 3 games for fighting and beating the kid. But what i remember is that I would have done the same. And no one from my team was hit from behind the rest of that season.

[Shilya]

"Ban fun shit!"-- just about every thread you've ever made.

its not fun to watch people try to hurt each other with acts of genuine violence.

You could just not watch it.

it should never be acceptable and people could get injured

society shouldn't be condoning this

That's a question of society, not legislation. Everyone who does this knows the score. So do people skiing, gliding, driving, biking, walking, living...

[Wisconsin9]

"Ban fun shit!"-- just about every thread you've ever made.

its not fun to watch people try to hurt each other with acts of genuine violence. it should never be acceptable and people could get injured

society shouldn't be condoning this

It's not fun for you. Don't pretend my idea of what's fun and your idea of what's fun are the same.

[Seno Zhou Varada]

"Ban fun shit!"-- just about every thread you've ever made.

its not fun to watch people try to hurt each other with acts of genuine violence. it should never be acceptable and people could get injured

society shouldn't be condoning this

Then you also mean martial arts and self defense classes should be banned? Injury is a risk that comes with everything. My cousin had friend while sick took a shower slipped, got knocked unconscious and died. Should showers be banned? Should sick people be banned?

[Arcerion]

"Ban fun shit!"-- just about every thread you've ever made.

its not fun to watch people try to hurt each other with acts of genuine violence. it should never be acceptable and people could get injured

society shouldn't be condoning this

Society doesn't condone it, but it udnerstands it.

As someone who says they have played hockey, tell me that if someone speared your goalie in the head you wouldn't go lay the cowardly bastard out.

[The Republic of Lanos]

I went to a fight once but then a hockey game broke out.

[Arcerion]

I went to a fight once but then a hockey game broke out.

Going straight into the sig.

[The Fascist American Empire]

I suggest we accept hockey for at least as long as boxing is legal.

that's why boxing should not be allowed either. Especially as people have a history of getting serious injuries in boxing.

It happens in hockey too.

Isn't boxing fake and/or choreographed though?

Or am I thinking wrestling?

[Seno Zhou Varada]

I went to a fight once but then a hockey game broke out.

Crowd: "FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!"
Bob: "HOCKEEEEEYYYYY!"
Person: "YES HOCKEEEYYY!"
Crowd: "HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY!"
Lanos: "Wasn't this supposed to be a fight?"

[Wisconsin9]

Alright, who broke the thread?

[Shilya]

Isn't boxing fake and/or choreographed though?

Or am I thinking wrestling?

You think wrestling. Boxing is very much real.

---

Alright, who broke the thread?

Probably some violent hockey game.

[Lordieth]

I suggest we accept hockey for at least as long as boxing is legal.

Only if the aim of hockey is to concuss your opponents.

[Infected Mushroom]

its not fun to watch people try to hurt each other with acts of genuine violence. it should never be acceptable and people could get injured

society shouldn't be condoning this

Then you also mean martial arts and self defense classes should be banned? Injury is a risk that comes with everything. My cousin had friend while sick took a shower slipped, got knocked unconscious and died. Should showers be banned? Should sick people be banned?

no but I'm arguing for consistency across society.

In society it is wrong and actionable as soon as you hit someone. The same should apply to hockey. Its about whether or not voluntarily performing acts of violence should be condoned (and in hockey, there is too high a leniency for it). its not about eliminating self-defense.

the shower example is ridiculous...

[Ioghrnia]

Then you also mean martial arts and self defense classes should be banned? Injury is a risk that comes with everything. My cousin had friend while sick took a shower slipped, got knocked unconscious and died. Should showers be banned? Should sick people be banned?

no but I'm arguing for consistency across society.

In society it is wrong and actionable as soon as you hit someone. The same should apply to hockey. Its about whether or not voluntarily performing acts of violence should be condoned (and in hockey, there is too high a leniency for it). its not about eliminating self-defense.

the shower example is ridiculous...

Just because you don't see the appeal doesn't mean it should be banned.

On a similar note, when was the last time you watched a hockey game? Fighting is such much rarer of an occurrence in hockey nowadays then it was ten years ago. You see it considerably less in playoff hockey, too, which is when most people watch.

[Seno Zhou Varada]

Then you also mean martial arts and self defense classes should be banned? Injury is a risk that comes with everything. My cousin had friend while sick took a shower slipped, got knocked unconscious and died. Should showers be banned? Should sick people be banned?

no but I'm arguing for consistency across society.

In society it is wrong and actionable as soon as you hit someone. The same should apply to hockey. Its about whether or not voluntarily performing acts of violence should be condoned (and in hockey, there is too high a leniency for it). its not about eliminating self-defense.

the shower example is ridiculous...

The example is also true.

Seriously you advocate for almost anything dangerous to be banned and guess what? EVERYTHING IS DANGEROUS! Have a french fry and oh no it goes down into your lungs or gets stuck in your throat.

But for sports like football and hockey violence will come into it and all of the people are consenting to the risk of violence. Football with big guys tackling each other, hockey with big guys on ice skates go after each other.

[Kouralia]

...people have a history of getting serious injuries in boxing.

People have a history of getting serious injuries in cycling.

Ban pedals, impeach lycra, legalise jogging 2014