No

by Raymond Alexander Kukkee

Created on: February 07, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2009

In the real world, it takes bench time to recognize the significance of one's actions. Similarly, it takes effort to clarify a nebulous question and develop one definitive, specific answer . A mere "yes" or "no" is inadequate, as the error is in the question itself, much as the tendency to fight is ingrained in the management of hockey nationwide. The existence of violence in hockey is not surprising, given the blatant freedom it is allowed and the encouragement it is given.

Fighting should NOT be condoned, or allowed to remain within the official game of hockey. Hockey fans need to be reminded that hockey is a game, not a blood-letting gladiator sport . Skating ability, speed, finesse in puck-handling, and superior team performance in effecting a superior game plan constitute the underlying reason, concept and structure of hockey . Ugly brute force, bad tempers, poor sportsmanship, and vicious, cowardly attacks have no place in the game.

Fighting is a bad example for children and young players that emulate the actions of the players they watch. Fighting seen in hockey today is childish, primal, testosterone-charged foolishness that has everything to do with intimidation and brutality, but nothing to do with civility or hockey skill, and even less to do with perfection of the game itself. No hockey skills are advanced by bench-clearing brawls.
Hockey violence is clearly not sanctioned in the rule books, so why is so much vicious fighting allowed? Are hockey-team owners and promoters ashamed of the pathetic, clumsy performance of the players, lack of training with the resultant lack of hockey skills they demonstrate? Are they worried about the lack of fans and "game appeal" to the extent they see it necessary to encourage vicious, ugly fighting within the sport to impress and attract Neanderthal, lesser minds? It seems to be so.

Let us not be blinded by the inexplicably pathetic excuses offered by hockey executives, coaches, team owners and childish sports aficionados alike; those excuses that suggest "The traditional game is violent", "That's the way it is, in hockey", "Hockey is a man's sport" and "Fighting is what our fans want to see". Let us be realistic. Those excuses are offered by questionable individuals that prefer the status quo of violence. The reader should think clearly and independently, and not believe or accept the perpetuation of such excuses. Fighting in hockey is about box office returns, greed, and money.

There is much hypocrisy in organized, professional hockey. Every time a player is seriously, critically injured, the issue is raised and discussed endlessly but little genuine, concrete action is taken to prevent it from ever happening again. Some of the more publicized, cowardly and vicious attacks that have occurred should have resulted in criminal charges, a lifetime ban from the game, and legal damages awarded to the victims. In the realm of hockey, however, we are instead offered a proliferation of excuses and inaction.

Fighting in hockey has been dishonestly and surreptitiously encouraged, promoted using enforcers, and the process of guaranteed punch-outs and fights at every game is clearly a bid to attract more immature, non-thinking, testosterone-driven "fans" that cheer and buy beer from concession stands.
Conveniently, promotion of violence generates increasingly more money for hockey team owners as it simultaneously degenerates the integrity of the game. It is self-evident that fighting as allowed today attracts attention, creates excitement, appeals to primal blood-lust, and thus effects financial returns at the box office. That, however, is an inexplicably bad reason to destroy a decent, challenging, and exciting game. Fighting in hockey is inexcusable and unacceptable.

Violenc e is allowed, even promoted for the wrong reasons, specifically money and greed, but that failure also provides some unexpected results. Many seats go empty, full-season tickets go unsold as many traditional fans now ignore the game because of unnecessary violence. Many fans no longer attend or even bother to watch televised hockey games. Why?

The answer is simple. As represented today, hockey is no longer a sport of skill. It has been allowed to evolve into a gladiator sport with shiny plastic armour. Fighting, violence, full-speed, cross-rink, unsportsmanlike, unnecessary and vicious body checks occur in virtually every game. Surreptitious, intentional, and cowardly physical attacks considered to be considered criminal outside of the hockey arena are allowed, and increasingly serious, life-threatening injuries are becoming commonplace.
Hockey, as played today, is a shameful example of bad sportsmanship. Sadly, our children and young athletes learn what we teach them by example, and hockey violence is no exception.

What is the alternative? Genuine, skilled hockey players do not have to be vicious gladiators. To prove it, let us experiment.. Let us call for no-body-contact hockey and watch hockey skills bloom and thrive. Remove the hard, protective padding armour except knee pads, helmets, jocks and face guards. Dress all players in equipment akin to an outdoor scrub game, and instead, actually LEARN to play hockey, which is an exciting game of skill.

The whistle blows, and the puck is dropped....
Watch how careful every player suddenly becomes, and how much more skill and finesse is displayed and required. Watch as players actually play the game of hockey, think ahead, pass the puck carefully and play a game of sportsmanship and skill instead of fighting or attempting to brutalize better-skilled, more intelligent opponents. Lack of armour is an excellent coach and a superb reason to play carefully.

Fighting and any willful violence, including all intentional body checking should be eliminated from hockey. Can't figure out how to play otherwise? Go home. Did we see you fighting, boys? You know the rules, NO fighting, so you're both off the ice. Hit the benches not for a meaningless 2 minute penalty, but for the rest of the game. There is a lesson to be learned.
And yes, elimination of fighting from the game of hockey IS that simple. Three strikes, you're out for the rest of the season. Enough is enough.

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