by Scott Falshaw

Created on: March 06, 2009   Last Updated: March 07, 2009

The issue of fighting in hockey has been hotly debated lately. There have been renewed calls from the media and hockey critics to have fighting permanently banished. People ask, "what kind of game allows something that is illegal on the streets to take place in an arena?" The answer: The best game in the world.

The recent death of 21 year-old Don Sanderson a month after sustaining a head injury during a hockey fight is what has caused the recent outcry for fighting to be stopped. This was the first known fatality as a result of fighting, but we cannot let this one unfortunate incident change the way the game is played. In 1968, Minnesota North Stars player Bill Masterson became the first on-ice fatality due to a head injury he sustained as a result of a body check, yet his untimely death did not lead to the banishment of checking.

Likewise, in 2000, Marty McSorley of the Boston Bruins violently swung his stick with both hands and struck Donald Brashear in the back of the head, causing him a severe concussion. On this occasion there were no calls for hockey players to be barred from carrying sticks.

A common phrase heard in favour of removing fighting from hockey is "it will allow more skilled players to flourish." To someone who would say this, I ask, "have you ever watched a game?" Skilled players abound in the National Hockey League, and in every league around the world. Evidence can be found by watching any sports highlights show. Players like Sydney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jonathan Towes, and Alexander Ovechkin always dazzle the highlight reels with their flashy moves and scoring ability.

Removing fighting from the game would have quite the opposite effect. Skilled players would be constantly impeded by illegal stick infractions like cross-checking, slashing, and spearing. Such infractions can be perpetrated by any player and fighting helps to keep them honest. One must think twice about high-sticking a star player knowing there is the possibility he could face a pounding from an enforcer.

Fighting not only serves a practical purpose, but it is also wildly entertaining. Proof can again be seen on any morning sports show. Every day there is at least one clip of a fight as part of the highlights package. In the background of these clips, fans can be seen on their feet roaring their approval. As the fighters are escorted to the penalty boxes, their teammates on the bench applaud their effort. The average fan loves a good fight, and it is common practice for a player on a losing team to pick a fight to get his team's fans interested in the game again.

Fighting has been a part of hockey for its entire history. It is as much a part of the game as skating, checking, and stick handling. Banning fighting in hockey will not reduce incidents of head injuries as players will only find new and creative ways of inflicting them with their sticks and other body parts. Taking away such an integral part of the game cheapens it for the true fan, only to make it appeal to a wider audience.

Learn more about this author, Scott Falshaw.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.