Don Sanderson of the Whitby Dunlops Passes Away as a Result of a Hockey Fight

[Musashii]

http://tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/story/...6&lid=headline

Don Sanderson, of the Whitby Dunlops died early Friday morning at Hamilton General Hospital.

He died of head trauma suffered in a fight during a senior hockey game on December 12 in Brantford, Ontario.

He had been in a coma and on life support since undergoing brain surgery on December 13th.

Sanderson, a student at York University, was 21-years-old.

This is just a very tragic story and my condolences go out to the Sanderson Family ... very sad and all because of a hockey fight!! He was only 21 years of age.

[Ham.Clan]

Very sad indeed.
A tragic accident.
Heartfelt condolences to the Sanderson family.

[asif9t9]

At some point, fightint needs to be outlawed in hockey. It makes no sense why it's even allowed. And what were guys in this league so fired up about that they needed to fight?

[i hate tv]

Originally Posted by asif9t9

At some point, fightint needs to be outlawed in hockey. It makes no sense why it's even allowed. And what were guys in this league so fired up about that they needed to fight?

I think fighting in hockey should be decided by those who appreciate the game, and those who play it, not by those who could care less about it...
Fighting has been in hockey since the get go, if you don't like it, there are many other sports that don't have fighting... Field Hockey, Ringette are both very close to hockey without all the fighting...
Its a tragic loss, but he could have died from a bodycheck...
I can't remember another player dying from fighting, so this is obviously a freak accident.

[Paully25]

OK...I like hockey and play hockey. Give me one GOOD reason for fighting in the game. It's always been there? Not a good reason. It's an aggressive, physical game? Football and basketball are too...no fighting there. So players can police themselves? So many ways to shoot that down...(a) if anything, stickwork is up in the NHL - so it's obviously not an effective policing method. (b) isn't that what penalties are for?

There is no fighting in the playoffs. There is no fighting in the World Juniors. There is no fighting in the Olympics. These are all the best showcases of hockey. Why not make regular season NHL hockey the same way?

While it may be the 1st death from a fight, it's far from the 1st serious injury.

[i hate tv]

Originally Posted by Paully25

OK...I like hockey and play hockey. Give me one GOOD reason for fighting in the game.

To change the momentum of the game.
To defend your player who has just been hurt by an opposing player.

It's an aggressive, physical game? Football and basketball are too...no fighting there.

But there was never fighting in those games...Yet there always has been in Hockey...

So players can police themselves? So many ways to shoot that down... if anything, stickwork is up in the NHL

I believe fighting majors are DOWN
Any coincidence that stickwork, BITING, and sloppy seconds are up....
I would have loved to see Sean Avery have to answer for his rude comments
Or Jarko the biter have a few teeth knocked out so he couldn't bite players anymore...

There is no fighting in the playoffs. There is no fighting in the World Juniors. There is no fighting in the Olympics. These are all the best showcases of hockey. Why not make regular season NHL hockey the same way?

There is fighting in the playoffs
The playoffs are different from the regular season, because when you lose 4 games in the playoffs, you are done...

While it may be the 1st death from a fight, it's far from the 1st serious injury.

Far more serious injuries have occured from bodychecking, so why not take that out of the game too?
Fans hate to see fights too, I know this for a fact, because whenever I go to watch games, when I fight starts, people either a) turn their head b) go to the bathroom c) sit down in their seat and close their eyes...
The thing is, if you play in the NHL, and don't want to fight, you don't have to
I enjoy seeing a good fight once and a while, as with a good body check, and a good goal, all things that have been a part of hockey from the get go.

[Paully25]

Here's the thing - those sports never had fighting because fighting is pointless. Sure, it's exciting. That sure has led to rampant growth in the US too. If I want to watch a fight, I'll watch the UFC - which I do. Bodychecking is a part of the flow of the game.

The thing about fighting in hockey now is that players don't fight the guy that did whatever....coaches send their fighter out to fight the other team's fighter. Take fighting out, and open that roster spot up to the 5'8 160 pounder that has tons of skill. The game will be better for it.

Want to change momentum? Go out and score a goal - lay a big clean check. Fighting is stupid in hockey.

My $.02

[Doug30]

No disrespect to the Sanderson Family. There is no reason for fighting in Sr A hockey. These guys have to work and go to school the next day.

[i hate tv]

Originally Posted by Paully25

Here's the thing - those sports never had fighting because fighting is pointless. Sure, it's exciting. That sure has led to rampant growth in the US too.

I don't want to change the game to cater to those who don't like it.
I don't need the "Fox Track" puck
Or Cheerleader....Breakaway competitions...
You mentioned earlier about serious injuries, but I think if you really cared about athletes, you wouldn't condone UFC, which is a brutal sport (I like it too)

Bodychecking is a part of the flow of the game.

So is fighting

The thing about fighting in hockey now is that players don't fight the guy that did whatever....

How about that coward Kostopoulos....
With no regard for the safety of Van Ryn, breaking his hand, teeth...concussing him....
The refs should have let Kostopoulos be pounded out right then, but they broke it up
Thankfully he had some payback last night, courtesy of Mayers...

open that roster spot up to the 5'8 160 pounder that has tons of skill.

If he has enough skill, he will make it to the NHL
I'm not for goons running around and pounding guys for no reason, but sometimes, a guy needs to be shown that there are repercussions for his actions.
If the fighting really disturbs you and others that much, don't watch, is that too much to ask? Or if you have to watch hockey, watch kids games, or Olympic, or Junior....Or why not just start a league where there is no fighting, and everyone who supports that style of game will have their say on how the game is played
I, and many others like me, enjoy having the odd fight in the game, and don't want the game changed just because you don't like it.

[johnnysmoke]

There is another reason why fighting should be banned. Punching someone in the face repeatedly is called assault. It's in the criminal code. Perhaps when a fight breaks out at the next Canuck or Flames game, an RCMP officer could skate out onto the ice, Tazer the player and haul him away. (Irony intended)

[Paully25]

LOL...I love the dinosaur thoughts. Fighting is a part of the flow of the game...last I checked the flow of the game stopped when players fought.

Again I say...the vigilante justice system of the NHL doesn't stop players from doing what they do. Time for stiffer penalties and suspensions for ALL infractions.

The 5'8 160 pounder would make the team if there wasn't a spot being taken up by an ogre. How much ice time does Brashear get in the playoffs?

We're going to have to agree to disagree.

[i hate tv]

Originally Posted by johnnysmoke

There is another reason why fighting should be banned. Punching someone in the face repeatedly is called assault. It's in the criminal code. Perhaps when a fight breaks out at the next Canuck or Flames game, an RCMP officer could skate out onto the ice, Tazer the player and haul him away. (Irony intended)

Thanks for the legal lesson Judge Judy
I guess they better send the Police to the boxing, MMA, wrestling, Karate, Kick Boxing matches, etc that take place EVERY weekend.....
Not the greatest analogy to get rid of fighting, but good try...
If it is too violent, don't watch it...
It IS part of the game, and has been since the start.
Heck, if you bodycheck someone in the street, you will get charged.
Lets ban bodychecking.
Its a tough sport, and not for everyone.
Don't change the game I love, because you don't like it.

I wouldn't call myself a "dinosaur"....Nor would I call someone a "girly man" because they can't stand the sight of two guys fighting in a hockey game

last I checked the flow of the game stopped when players fought

OK, busted....
Why not show the NHL how much you hate fighting, and stop watching?
If everyone who hated seeing fights in hockey games tuned into curling or Oprah, they would probably get rid of fighting. Show the NHL with your $$$ and they will listen, but I think there are more people that actually like fighting in games, unless the 15, 000+ people cheering during a fight are doing so to get them to stop fighting...
I think its sad when people try to tell me what I should watch, because they find it offensive...Yet they continue to watch
IF the 5'8" player is good enough, he will make the team, and they will get rid of someone 5'9"
Skill can make up for size

[i hate tv]

I was thinking about preserving the

flow of the game

and wouldn't goals affect that precious "flow" as well?
Each time a goal is scored, the play is stopped...
Sure goals can sometimes be momentum changers, but it really stops the fast pace of the game, and I wonder if it might be better to take nets out of the game too?
Another novel idea would be to take hitting out, due to the danger of serious injury. With hitting, and scoring removed from the game, the players could lose the sticks, and bulky equipment that weighs them down.
With the need for bulky sweaters and pants gone, a uniform change would be in order.
Get rid of those ill fitting jerseys, and baggy pants, and how about some aero dynamic, form fitting sequined spandex for the players?
With all of the goons gone, it would free up roster spots for little guys (5'8" and under) who would now be a hot commodity, as they are much easier to lift in the air during the pairs/group skates...
Maybe put a toe pic on the front of the skates, to help with their triple sow cows?
Hmmmmmmmm
Sounds like a good idea to me

[Nuje]

.....to help with their triple sow cows?

Nice one, ihtv.

One things, though: For the first 30 years of my life, I was convinced that this was the name of that jump as well; only in my more mature years have a I learned that it's actually a "salchow". Whatever the hell that is?!

[i hate tv]

Originally Posted by Nuje

Nice one, ihtv.

One things, though: For the first 30 years of my life, I was convinced that this was the name of that jump as well; only in my more mature years have a I learned that it's actually a "salchow". Whatever the hell that is?!

Dang it, wrong again! Not the first time, and surely not the last...
The problem is, Figure Skating has to appeal to a wider audience, so guys like me can learn the proper terminology. If they hitched their wagon to the a group like the UFC, and had some cross promotion, I think the sport would gain a much wider audience, even if it means changing the rules of the sport. I would like to watch Figure Skating where the competition involved hand to hand combat, as well as the "artistic" aspect of it!
We all know how corrupt the judging in figure skating is, so why not get rid of the judges all together, and make it last man/woman standing....?

There are a bunch of other sports I'm not happy with.
In basketball, dunks have become too easy. I think they should move the net higher, and allow some body checking....
Maybe even a trampoline as well, because I am sick and tired of the poor lil 5'8" kid who gets left off of the team, because he can't jump high enough.

Golf is another sport where I am not happy with the rules of the game. I think the hole should be a lot bigger, as it is quite difficult to get the ball in there, and it would make the game much more interesting with scores of -40 being quite common...

If I don't like a sport, I don't try and change it and ruin it for others, I just don't follow it....