Well, now you know me. So yes, you now know a hockey fan who's not interested in the World Junior tournament.

As for the topic at hand, players do often fight with helmets on, but it's not normally what they hope to do. And goons, who wink at each other in pre-meditated fights, always toss off their helmets. It'll be interesting to see how fighting progresses now. You'd really want to fight the guy to want to punch at his helmet.

Actually, I believe the prevelance of players taking off helmuts really started when face shields became prevelant in the NHL. I don't think it was much of an issue until then and I believe the majority of them fought with their helmuts on unless they were knocked off.

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/01/15/8030136-sun.html

Interesting article - especially for those that feel fighting is part of the game...all 8 percent of you.

I think you would get that same 8% if you asked if spearing, hitting from behind, boarding and a bunch of other things are part of the game. I don't think it means much.

And you get tossed from the game and suspended for spearing, hitting from behind, boarding, and a bunch of other things....but not fighting - yet

For the most part, hockey has created rules to combat fighting in a game. Most leagues, while not banning fighting, have rules where the combatants are removed from the game and suspensions.

That includes minor hockey, the NCAA, the Olympics, world hockey championships such as the junior tournament in Ottawa, high schools, Canadian universities and yes, all OHA leagues
Including senior AAA the league Don Sanderson lost his life while playing.

Your right if you are referring to the NHL/AHL. For the most part you don't get thrown out for the first fight but once you are known your chances of getting the boot increase.

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/01/15/8030136-sun.html

Interesting article - especially for those that feel fighting is part of the game...all 8 percent of you.
Well obviously only 8% if the people polled were actual hockey fans. Apparently if only hockey fans were asked, 100% would agree fighting is part of the game.

Well obviously only 8% if the people polled were actual hockey fans. Apparently if only hockey fans were asked, 100% would agree fighting is part of the game.
LOL - clearly! :rolleyes:

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/01/15/8030136-sun.html

Interesting article - especially for those that feel fighting is part of the game...all 8 percent of you.
I would like to know if those polled were even hockey fans. I'm guessing those polled were just average Canadians, some who probably haven't watched a game in years.... Do I need the game changed to satisfy them? No
People, get over it, if you don't like it, don't watch it, why do you have to change it because you don't approve?
There is lots of other leagues that have stiff fighting penalties, so why not just watch those leagues? If it is too violent, don't watch... If the "flow" of the game is too slow....Don't watch....
Does boxing offend you ? Lets get rid of that....And MMA too....
I'm starting a petition to stop Red Lobster from serving shellfish, c'mon, who's with me....
If I don't like shellfish, no one else should be able to enjoy it...
Don't tell me what I can and cannot watch.

There's only one NHL. It could take my beloved Leafs another 50 years to rebuild. I'm hoping changes are made soon enough so the NHL survives. They're talking about it on the radio right now. How about if any fight resulted in a 1 game suspension for the player? That would be perfect for everyone. Guys could still fight, but if they do, they're gone for the next game. That means if there is a fight, it would be one of those memorable fights. Vinny vs Jarome. Messier vs McSorley.

GM's would end up not wasting time with goons to take up space on the bench. And btw, if some little guys start using their sticks on other guys...guess what, they also get suspended.

Something else I just heard on he radio, for those "real" fans. Check out any game from back in the day, in like the 60's. There wasn't even bodychecking. All stickchecking. Only in the 70's did the goonery kick in. So what exactly is "real hockey"?

How about if any fight resulted in a 1 game suspension for the player?
You would have low end players pick a fight with the top player on the other side. Especially in the playoffs where you play back to back games.

Check out any game from back in the day, in like the 60's. There wasn't even bodychecking. All stickchecking
Somebody forgot to tell Gordie Howe that.

There's only one NHL.
I agree, so why take fighting out of the only league that still allows it?
I'm hoping changes are made soon enough so the NHL survives.
Whooaaa
Just how are you connecting the dots, to come to the conclusion that banning fighting will save the NHL?
I think if they ban fighting, it will be the final nail in the coffin.
BTW, I didn't know the NHL was on life support.... Sure some teams (American south...) are iffy, and I know there is no Canadian city or wealthy tech company owner that would snap up the chance to bring a team there....

That means if there is a fight, it would be one of those memorable fights. Vinny vs Jarome. Messier vs McSorley.
Do you find no irony in this comment? Especially from someone who favors banning fighting?
Memorable
adj.

Worth being remembered or noted; remarkable:



Something else I just heard on he radio, for those "real" fans. Check out any game from back in the day, in like the 60's. There wasn't even bodychecking. All stickchecking. Only in the 70's did the goonery kick in. So what exactly is "real hockey"?
So we should get rid of bodychecking too?
How about get rid of the ice next...Change the puck to a ball....
I know, the Juniors, Olympics and NHL Playoffs never have bodychecking, and they are exciting...:rolleyes:

Somebody forgot to tell Gordie Howe that.

OK, fine, he bodychecked, but back in those days the checks were less devastating, and name me 1 player from that era who fought?
You can't can you...
There was no space on the roster to keep goons back then, and that's why there was NEVER any fights back then, and it was still an exciting game. :rolleyes:

I don't think you can "ban" anything. The most you can do is increase the penalty to make it so that if someone fights, it will be because they really, really want to. Wouldn't that be better for you, too?

I don't think you can "ban" anything. The most you can do is increase the penalty to make it so that if someone fights, it will be because they really, really want to. Wouldn't that be better for you, too?
I am fine with the current penalty for fighting of 5 minutes, although I think the instigator penalty could go if anything had to be changed to save the game.

name me 1 player from that era who fought?
You can't can you...
50'S At that time, the most well known player of the day started what became known as the Gordie Howe hat trick, which consists of a goal, an assist, and a fight. 60'S Shack and Ferguson fought every other night. Every team had thugs from as far back as I remember. Old time hockey Eddy Shore 30's. 40's was the war.

The current 5min penalty is useless because we've seen over time that players treat it like it means nothing. Most goons only play 5min max, so sitting in the box for 5min means nothing to them. It's not even a real penalty. Even a slash results in a 2min powerplay. A fight between two consenting goons results in both sitting for 5min in the box instead of on their bench. It means nothing.

50'S At that time, the most well known player of the day started what became known as the Gordie Howe hat trick, which consists of a goal, an assist, and a fight. 60'S Shack and Ferguson fought every other night. Every team had thugs from as far back as I remember. Old time hockey Eddy Shore 30's. 40's was the war.
Jeez, I find that hard to believe that they fought, AND bodychecked back in the good ole days...
How could the game survive so long with such violent acts going on EVERY game...


So asif9t9, did you enjoy watching the Vinny vs Jarome / Messier vs McSorley fights?
Or were they memorable in a bad way?
Or, have you just evolved from your barbaric ancient ways?

The first known Gordie Howe hat trick was recorded by Hall of Famer Harry Cameron of the Toronto Arenas on December 26, 1917. He was inducted posthumously into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.

This is troubling news haystack... I thought this whole fighting phenomenon was a new beast... Now you are trying to tell me that they have been fighting since before almost every member on this forum was born?
Say it ain't so...
So basically, it has taken almost 100 years, but this fighting thing, like a cancer, is finally about to kill the NHL...