The NHL indefinitely suspended Bruins D Marty McSorley
for a high-sticking incident which injured Canucks LW Donald
Brashear Monday night and a hearing is scheduled for today
to determine the length of the suspension. In Toronto,
Allan Maki writes that the NHL will "make an example" of
McSorley "because it has to. It must. ... It's about
protecting players. ... If the players are serious in their
cries for protection, they will let their association allow
the NHL to hand out stiffer fines and longer suspensions"
(Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 2/23). USA TODAY's Kevin Allen asks,
"Does this incident feed into the idea that the NHL has a
cartoonish violent image among non-fans, and does that stand
in the way of true national acceptance?" ESPN Senior
VP/Programming John Wildhack, on whether the incident could
impact the NHL's TV ratings: "We are confident that an
isolated incident like this will not affect our viewing
audience" (USA TODAY, 2/23). In Pittsburgh, Sam Ross Jr.
writes under the header, "McSorley Violent Act Further
Tarnishes NHL's Image" (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 2/23). Canadiens C
and NHLPA President Trevor Linden: "It was everything we
don't want to see in our game in one incident" (CHICAGO SUN-
TIMES, 2/23). In L.A., Helene Elliott writes McSorley's
"brutal act will become the dominant image of this game, and
his apologies can't change that" (L.A. TIMES, 2/23).
THE O'REE DOCTRINE: Willie O'Ree, the NHL's first
African-American player, appeared on "The Early Show" with
Bryant Gumbel to discuss his efforts to help the league
increase diversity among its players and audience. O'Ree:
"I'm going into the inner cities and working with kids,
working with the 35 diversity task force programs that are
in existence [currently]." Gumbel: "To make the quantum
leap, is hockey going to have to have an African-American
superstar -- a Michael Jordan, a Tiger Woods, a Wilt
Chamberlain?" O'Ree: "I don't think so. ... The [NHL] just
has to have more players of color in the league, and I think
that's what we're gearing to right now" (CBS, 2/23).
THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT: Isles G Kevin Weekes, on NHL
participation in the 2002 Olympic Games: "I think if it's
done under the right circumstances, I think it's great for
the league. ... The main thing is just coming up with a
schedule that's comfortable for everybody involved and
something that works really well, especially for us the
players." ESPN's E. J. Hradek: "There's always a chance of
[the league] passing (the Olympics) up. ... But, I think in
the end, they'll end up playing" ("NHL 2Night," 2/22).
