One for NHL fans on here: Academics push for ban on hockey fighting

[Brighton Breezy]

I know a few people on here follow the hockey, thought it might be of interest:

http://sweatshoptachinardi.blogspot.com/2012/01/academics-pressing-for-end-to-ice.html

Am off to Toronto and Montreal to watch the New York Rangers next week. Cannot ruddy wait after their cracking Winter Classic win.

 

[Acker79]

Concussions in sport are a hot button topic in america at the moment, with different studies showing the impact concussions have. Some believe chris benoit murdering his wife and son before committing suicide was linked to the brain damage he had suffered as a result of concussions (his brain was said to resemble an 85 year old alzheimer's patient).

There is a list of american football players who have committed suicide, and they too have similarly damaged brains linked to a history of concussion.

Some former players are currently suing the NFL and the makers of the helmets because they failed to protect the players. I'm not surprised it's spreading to hockey.
Twenty-one former NFL players sue league over concussions - ESPN
Former NFL Players Sue Over Concussions : NPR
Chris Benoit, Wrestler : Fight to the Death - Concussions in Sports : the fifth estate : CBC News
CHRIS NOWINSKI HOME

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

They've got a bit of a struggle on their hands there, I think - the punch-ups are so stitched into the fabric of the game there that the commentators are all decent boxing commentators as well, so easily can they switch from one to another when the gloves come off. Pretty sure there's even a clearly understood etiquette as to what is and isn't acceptable in a fight, which is understood as much by the refereeing teams as by the players themselves.

Edit: nice to see your blog updated again, Walt - it had been a while!

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Pretty cunning and off the wall thread to slip in that you are going on holiday. Dave the Gaffer, take note

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

Another Rangers fan here. They had a cracking documentary on HBO recently showing the route to the NHL Winter Classic. Really gets behind the scenes and shows the highs and lows. It’s also on YouTube if you haven’t seen it

24/7 Flyers / Rangers: Road to NHL Winter Classic

 

[Scotty Mac]

They've got a bit of a struggle on their hands there, I think - the punch-ups are so stitched into the fabric of the game there that the commentators are all decent boxing commentators as well, so easily can they switch from one to another when the gloves come off.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Banning the fisticuffs in ice hockey would be like banning tackling in football.

 

[ChilternGull]

I saw the season opener between Toronto and Montreal back in September when fighting was a major topic among fans following the injury to Sidney Crosby. Seemed to me a lot of the fans went to the game just to see the players fight. I asked some of them if they would not prefer to see free flowing hockey and more protection for the talented players. They looked at me as if I was from Mars!

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Another Rangers fan here. They had a cracking documentary on HBO recently showing the route to the NHL Winter Classic. Really gets behind the scenes and shows the highs and lows. It’s also on YouTube if you haven’t seen it

24/7 Flyers / Rangers: Road to NHL Winter Classic

Watched the HBO show, loved it. Would be great if Sky could do some something similar, perhaps in the run up to the FA Cup final or something.

 

[Jesus Gul]

I thought it was all showy like wrestling. Certainly appeared that way when I watched my first live game for about 12 years on eve of NYE HC Slovan Bratislava v Dukla Trencin (tip from BritskiBelasi). Paying more attention to the cheerleaders

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

New York Rangers clinch Eastern Conference title with a very bloody 5-3 win against the Flyers last night. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist was MOM making an incredible 37 saves and playing the third period with an injured right arm. The Rangers could still win the President's trophy which would give them home advantage in the Stanley Cup finals.

 

[RexCathedra]

It's not a permanent and irreplaceable feature of NCAA hockey. Or Olympic hockey. or European pro hockey.

The NHL tolerates fighting because it tolerates fighting.