Statistics say that so far in the 2023-2024 NHL season there has been an average of 0.26 fights per game, this is an increase from last years 0.24. The NHL (National Hockey League) was created in 1917 and the act of fighting during the match has been a major part of the hockey game since its very creation. For anyone that has been to a hockey game or seen one on television, they would know that a hockey fight is a very eventful circumstance that is unique to the NHL and the NHL only. This specific stunt has aroused much controversy over the years on whether fighting should stay in the sport or whether it should take its leave. Fighting in hockey should be backed and never removed because players fight for a purpose, fighting is a core part …show more content…
In the article titled “Why is Fighting Vanishing from the NHL?” Chris Kuc states that contrary to most opinions hockey players do not fight just for any reason there is “combat within the context of the game”. It is very common for people to think that most hockey players just decide to throw fists for no reason, but many players have specific intentions. These intentions can range from a team morale boost or to create a strategic power play, but nevertheless the fights have a purpose. Another article titled “The Pros and Cons of Fighting in the NHL” explains that when players fight due to retaliation it “brings accountability and prevents more of those dangerous plays from happening”. The quote demonstrates that the fights in hockey keep players in check and end up preventing more altercations with the …show more content…
Glenn Keays and B. Pless state in the article titled “Influence of Viewing Professional Ice Hockey on Youth Hockey Injuries” that “Even though fighting in youth leagues is banned, young hockey players constantly imitate the tactics used by professionals, both legal and illegal.” With the widely accepted display of hockey fights, kids are bound to want to be like the players they watch. Nevertheless, they are focusing on a minor detail. The article titled “Kids play hockey more skillfully and respectfully than ever, yet rough stuff still exists on the ice” by Dave Campbell describes the head coach of a varsity hockey team in Minnesota named Joe Dziedzic (former NHL player). Joe says that “There’s got to be a little bit of pushback, like, ‘Hey man, that’s not allowed.” By letting kids stand their ground and stick up for themselves it allows them to truly develop as a sportsman and find a brotherhood within each other and the team as This proves that although it is looked down upon, fighting and standing up for yourself can be better for every player in the long run. Joe Dziedzic states in the same article that “we don’t want them taking penalties, but sometimes you’ve got to win the battle to get the war done. You’ve got to establish that this is something we’re taking pride in.” The former hockey player further proves that when
Fighting in hockey shouldn't be allowed because it's dangerous for the players and hard to watch by some viewers. The fights can cause traumatic incidents that will be broadcast on live television for thousands of people to see, including children. There has been a recent injury that was broadcast on TV where a hockey player swung his foot up but caught another player's neck which caused the player to gash blood and later die from his injuries. This incident was a traumatic experience for the players
What would the National Hockey League be without fighting? Over the years, hockey players have settled their differences through confrontations that have resulted in blood-stained jerseys and cheering crowds. Each team always has specific players that will fight during games to protect star players such as Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks. Without the enforcers, these star players do not have the opportunity
Fighting in Hockey: Necessary or Harmful? For decades, fighting in hockey has been instrumental to the identity, history and high energy that brings professional hockey fans to their feet. Supported by the players, coaches, and average fan, fighting has brought a unique dynamic to hockey that is unseen in any other sport in the world. However, fighting in hockey is one of the most debated themes in all sports. Although entertaining, some argue that the dangerous elements of fighting outweigh the
is awarded to the defending team. With the home team fighting with all their might to defend from a goal, down 4 on 5, they run around like chickens with their heads chopped off, trying to get the puck out of their zone. Then when everything seems to simmer down, a fight breaks between the bulkiest guys on each team, punches being thrown, blood spattering across the ice. In hockey today, there are two main leagues in the United states: the NHL, and USA Hockey. Just like in any game, there are basic
best sports in the world and being physical is a part of the sports. I also believe that hockey parents take the sport a little too far and also they get out of control when forcing their kids to become better at the sport. Although most forms of fighting are reprehensible but when taking place on the ice and in a controlled environment it is needed for the sport to thrive. Transitioning off the ice I believe that the lifestyle of hockey may be pushed to the extremes. There are many rules that surround
opposing teammates to square off in a physical fighting match within the game. In recent years, however, the allowance of fighting has become a controversial issue. Those who oppose fighting point out that there has been injury and even deaths to hockey players as a result of fights. People who oppose the allowance of fighting within the game also point out that fighting may send messages to young fans
you will always get people agreeing and disagreeing. Some will even write articles expressing their own opinions. Hockey is a nationwide loved, competitive sport, why change the game? Fighting is a vital part of hockey. Many people think fighting should be banned in the NHL, for a couple of reasons. First, fighting is technically illegal. “A fight shall be deemed to have occurred when at least one player (or goalkeeper) punches or attempts to punch an opponent repeatedly or when two players wrestle
When someone thinks of the sport of ice hockey, one of the first things they think of is the fact that fighting is a common occurrence in it. It is almost a guarantee that if you ask someone who is not an avid fan of the sport what their favorite element is, they will say something about the fights. A commonly heard and repeated quote is “I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out.” However, over the past few years the question of whether or not this component should still
“The NHL (national hockey league) is not in the business of comforting people, they’re in the business of entertainment, and if fighting represents a way to differentiate themselves from an entertainment stand point, then fighting isn’t going anywhere” In the 2014-15 season 1,230 games were played, and out of those games 391 fights were in action. 29.91% of games had fights, 45 games had more than one fight. Taking fighting out of the game of hockey is too big of a risk. I think the fans will be
old-time Ottawa-born goaltender who played in the NHL from 1917-18 through to 1929-30. Clint Benedict was first a member of his hometown Senators and later the long-since folded Montreal Maroons. Although a couple of his non-conventional “gimmicks” greatly influenced the game, and he is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Benedict is virtually unknown. When most people talk about the first big-league netminder to ever wear a face mask during an NHL game, former Montreal Canadiens’ legend Jacques
The NHL History The National Hockey League was founded in 1917. It started in Montreal and Quebec in Canada. There are thirty teams from the USA and Canada. Although the teams are based in Canada and the United States the players come from about twenty different countries from across the world. In the first decade of the NHL was competing with different leagues for the Stanley cup. The NHL had almost no competition winning the Stanley Cup. Only once did a non-NHL team win the Stanley Cup in 1925
precautions in effort to reduce the occurrence of the injury. The argument here is that numerous players and fans disagree with the recent changes that have been made to the game due to the injury. The argument represented is that leagues such as the NHL should focus more on the players causing concussions, rather than changing the game that we all love. The altercations to the sport have helped
Violence in Sports With the increase in society taking a stance against violence, sports has become an area where some feel that the violent acts such as the hitting and fighting that occurs should be eliminated. It is very difficult to change the way that a game is played because people have been playing it that way for years. The violence in sports needs to be eliminated because of the extreme cases that continue to haunt many of the leagues and the players themselves. There are many theories
year-long concussion in ’10-11, speculation has started to gather regarding the complete exertion of violence in the NHL. With over 50% of players getting injured each year and
hockey, particularly due to its increasing popularity as a professional sport, has brought up several ethical issues regarding the act of fighting in hockey. There are strong arguments for both sides of this present problem in the world of hockey. Numerous male athletes, including children as young as nine years of age, have suffered injuries as an outcome of fighting and it should be considered if it should be part of a sport that very young people grow up with (Brust, Leonard, Pheley & Roberts, 1992)