by James Dinan

Created on: May 25, 2010   Last Updated: May 27, 2010

Contact sports have origins that go well beyond the 21st century. During the Roman Empire growing up as a male peasant meant that to achieve greatness, one had to be a gladiator, even if that meant dieing. Gladiators are fierce fighters that provided entertainment for the people of the Empire.

They fought each other and exotic beasts such as lions, tigers, and elephants to the death within the realm of the Colosseum. Upon winning they became famous and highly paid.

Gladiator schools were abound recruiting men who wanted that glory and fame. Noew, from a modern viewpoint some would say this is savage, inhumane, or just a prehistoric NHL.

All of our modern day contact sports revolve around the same ideals as the Gladiators. Men, face to face, teaming up, whoever wins is labeled the best, the strongest, the fastest around. At the professional level this is a drive that we all have. We all want to be the best, the greatest.

As a former football player and hockey player I can tell you, when your on the ice, in the game, you are on a near only "react" mindset. When you need to use the body to gain control of the puck you will do whatever you can.

If someone does not like that well then you are going to prove to them that they made a big mistake. Its all about who is big dog. Us guys have a very simple mindset.

As for fighting in the NHL it should be dealt with on a league basis. All of the players want to be on the ice and all have that "react", testosterone pumping, "I need to be big dog", mindset.

If you are going to make the "violence" criminal then you need to define violence. Hockey is a physical game, checking is an important part of the game. Isn't that violence?

If you are going to make the "violence" criminal, then every single time a goalie gets hit with a 100mph slap shot, they should be able to charge the shooter with assault. Whatever is done on the ice stays on the ice. That should be how this "violence" should be dealt with.

People need to realize that fighting is apart of the game and always will be. It has been in the NHL for years. The NHL has been dealing with all of the "violence" since its beginnings and I think they have been doing a great job.

They fine players, teams, and have appropriate rules for penalizing fighting. This on ice "violence" does not leave the ice so whats the problem? Let the league deal with it. 

If you really have the time to worry about NHL "violence", maybe you should consider getting a job.

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