Fight Club: Many Around NHL Do Not Want To Ban Pugilism

Outcome Of Fedoruk-Orr Bout Draws Attention To Fighting In NHL

After NHL Exec VP & Dir of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell last week said that the league should consider banning fighting, Commissioner Gary Bettman said, “Fighting has always gotten to its own level as the game dictates it. In fact, fighting’s down almost 40% compared to two years ago, and some people have complained about that. But the bigger issue is if the players have gotten bigger and stronger, are there injuries we need to be anticipating that come from fighting; and if so, what do we need to do about it? ... That’s the long-winded way of saying, has what we’ve seen the last few weeks been an aberration or a trend, and if it’s a trend, we need to stay on top of it” (“Daily News Live,” SNY, 3/23). More Bettman: “We haven’t changed in any meaningful way the rules of fighting, don’t encourage it or discourage it, in the last decade” (NEWSDAY, 3/25).

PART OF THE GAME: Ducks Exec VP & GM Brian Burke added, “The notion that because one player got knocked cold in a fight, that’s going to touch off a debate about eliminating fighting, to me is silly.” Flyers LW Todd Fedoruk, who was knocked out and hospitalized after a fight with Rangers RW Colton Orr last week, said, “Taking fighting out of the game is definitely not a solution. You just can’t do it. It’s ingrained in the roots of hockey” (CP, 3/24). A poll of NHLers by The Hockey News found 97% believe the existing five-minute penalty was the right punishment for fighting. Flyers Player Personnel Dir Dave Brown: “It’s always been a part of hockey and, hopefully, it always will be. Taking it out? That’s too radical a thought” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 3/24). Penguins C Sidney Crosby said fighting “is a part of” the game. Penguins RW Georges Laraque: “When it’s a goal, the fans of that team stand up. But, when it’s a fight, the fans from both teams are on their feet. ... There’s a reason why there’s a tough guy on every team, and he’s usually a fan favorite” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 3/24). Senators RW Brian McGrattan: “I doubt they will (ban it). They’re focused on (fighting) because that’s the biggest thing that has happened in the last week” (OTTAWA SUN, 3/24).

A KINDER, GENTLER LEAGUE? Rangers LW Brendan Shanahan said he agrees with Campbell that a conversation should take place regarding banning fighting: “I don’t think it’s anything that requires a hurried decision, but there’s nothing wrong with looking at it.” IIHF President Rene Fasel said, “Both me personally and the IIHF has never believed that fighting is or should be part of the game” (CP, 3/24). Blues President & GM John Davidson: “It needs to be looked at. Seeing fighters fight fighters for the sake of a fight is kind of silly” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/25). Senators coach Bryan Murray: “I think (fighting) has its place, but when I see the kids getting hurt the way they are now ... I don’t think anybody wants that” (OTTAWA SUN, 3/24). Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson: “I do think it’s the appropriate time to entertain that kind of discussion.” Maple Leafs C John Pohl: “For the growth of the league and the popularity of the league, it’s a very, very important issue we need to take a look at. I’m sure a lot of people come to the game and love fights, and you don’t really want to lose those people. But do you want to have the worst thing that could possibly happen, happen? I think that would put a black mark on the league” (TORONTO STAR, 3/24).

Crosby Feels Fighting Is Part Of Hockey

SLOW TO CHANGE: In Toronto, Allan Maki wrote “there is nothing wrong or unmanly” about a debate on fighting as Campbell suggested. But the NHL and NHLPA are “reticent to sudden change when it comes to matters of safety” (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/24). In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont: “There hasn’t been a significant shift in market forces — or in attitudes of owners and general managers, players and fans — that would rid the NHL of fighting” (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/25). In Montreal, Red Fisher wrote fighting “won’t go away unless the lords of hockey truly want it to disappear — and they don’t ... because it sells tickets everywhere hockey is played — and at every level” (Montreal GAZETTE, 3/24).

MORE MEDIA REAX: Denver Post columnist Woody Paige said if fighting is banned, “The hard-core fans will still continue to go and you’ll attract mainstream America” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 3/23). ESPN’s Mike Tirico said he does not “think any fans are going to walk away” if fighting is banned (“PTI,” ESPN, 3/23). But NBC’s Ray Ferraro said the league has brought this [coverage of fights] on itself. It’s not the media that has stirred this up. The league and its fans should be focused on the fact there’s six teams fighting for two playoff spots in the East. That’s the game, not this” (NBC, 3/25). The CBC’s Don Cherry said, “We gotta play the game, people are paying money, it’s entertainment.” Cherry implied that the NHL “shouldn’t worry about its image or its young fans.” He added, “The NFL doesn’t worry about kids. Baseball doesn’t worry about throwing at a guy’s head” (CP, 3/25).