Fighting in junior hockey compared to child abuse

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by fcm

The LNAH will still exist though.

I guess. But I have zero interest in that league. Never mind the fact I don't think they'll be expanding to BC anytime soon.

Originally Posted by straka91

Controlling every aspect of your childs life is child abuse.

That may sound ridiculous but it is so true.

[flatulantdeath]

When two kids get in a fight at school do the parents get charged with child endangerment for sending them there?

[Ciccarelli]

If the coach comes into the lockerroom or showers is that sexual abusing the childs?

[pigfarmer]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

I guess. But I have zero interest in that league. Never mind the fact I don't think they'll be expanding to BC anytime soon.

Yah, then can ban all the fighting they want in juniors when the LNAH comes to Nebraska...

[flex_buff_chest]

In my opinion it's a bit odd to sit around and watch teenagers fight. IMO I would have no problem banning fighting for people under 18 but over 18 you are legally allowed to die in battle so if you wanna throw down, go hard.

[HordiBrusk29]

The problem with that is that 16 and 17 year old's are playing with and against 18, 19 and 20 year old's. So sometimes a fight match up with an age difference occurs.

For the most part, older players do a majority of the fighting. Sometimes you'll see a 17 year old fight more in his draft year but it isn't common to see 16 year old's fighting frequently.

Either way, as long as there is fighting in the NHL and other pro leagues I think banning fighting in juniors would be a disservice to them.

[flex_buff_chest]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

The problem with that is that 16 and 17 year old's are playing with and against 18, 19 and 20 year old's. So sometimes a fight match up with an age difference occurs.

For the most part, older players do a majority of the fighting. Sometimes you'll see a 17 year old fight more in his draft year but it isn't common to see 16 year old's fighting frequently.

Either way, as long as there is fighting in the NHL and other pro leagues I think banning fighting in juniors would be a disservice to them.

Here is the problem as I see it:

Fighting isn't legal in hockey, you are assessed some sort of penalty for fighting. Now seeing as fighting is illegal in hockey the only solutions are keep the status quo or ban it.

There are few leagues who are going to admit that they condone fighting because:

1) It's a liability issue, if they keep it "illegal" and don't condone it publicly they minimize their chances of litigation down the road

2) They are worried about public opinion, even though it's not the majority of the fanbase they worry a lot about a vocal minority

And because of this there will be no actual solution forthcoming. If I was in charge any player in Juniors under 18 would be clearly marked and they would be allowed to fight other players under 18 and 18+ could fight there own.

I think you make a good point about not being able to fight being a disservice, but the leagues don't care about that, they don't care about player safety unless some vocal minority is screaming about. The best examply is fighting....a vocal minority wants it gone so they are doing their best to take it out of the game however no mention of this ROCK HARD equipment that puts EVERYONE at risk for a concussion is ever mentioned.

The game is run by hypocrites, liars and business men who only care about money and they don't care what they do to the game as long as they feel it's going to bring in the $$$

Just my two cents.

[HordiBrusk29]

I basically agree with what you said although I have a few comments I'll mention below.

Originally Posted by flex_buff_chest

And because of this there will be no actual solution forthcoming. If I was in charge any player in Juniors under 18 would be clearly marked and they would be allowed to fight other players under 18 and 18+ could fight there own.

That is an idealistic thought, but not one that is realistic, IMO. Players battling aren't going to stop battling and make sure they are of legal "fighting age" before dropping the mitts. And what if a 17 year old cheap shots someone? An 18, 19 or 20 year old can't address the matter? It would be a very complicated system.

Originally Posted by flex_buff_chest

I think you make a good point about not being able to fight being a disservice, but the leagues don't care about that, they don't care about player safety unless some vocal minority is screaming about. The best examply is fighting....a vocal minority wants it gone so they are doing their best to take it out of the game

I believe they do care about player safety, however it isn't their first priority. Like any successful business, profits reign supreme. And nobody can deny that fighting sells. Ideally I think leagues would like to find a balance between the two.

Originally Posted by flex_buff_chest

however no mention of this ROCK HARD equipment that puts EVERYONE at risk for a concussion is ever mentioned.

No argument from me here. I've been saying this for years now. The fact is, hitting causes many more concussions than fighting. A vast majority of them. So what's next? A ban on hitting? At that rate hockey wouldn't be hockey anymore. And sadly there have been some people calling for a ban on hitting so that isn't completely unheard of.

Originally Posted by flex_buff_chest

The game is run by hypocrites, liars and business men who only care about money and they don't care what they do to the game as long as they feel it's going to bring in the $$$

I agree here as well. Although that logic is flawed if they think getting rid of fighting is going to help in that regard because it surely won't. In fact the league and owners are going about the wrong way if they really want to increase attendance and ratings. Boring, no hitting, no passion power play fests aren't going to do the trick. A heated battle between two teams that hate one another, raw emotion, animosity and ultimately fighting will. No it isn't politically correct, but it's the damn truth.

[RayzorEdge]

Not even Pierre McGuire would go that far.

[flex_buff_chest]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

I basically agree with what you said although I have a few comments I'll mention below.



That is an idealistic thought, but not one that is realistic, IMO. Players battling aren't going to stop battling and make sure they are of legal "fighting age" before dropping the mitts. And what if a 17 year old cheap shots someone? An 18, 19 or 20 year old can't address the matter? It would be a very complicated system.

Fair, my main point is that there is NO solution other then letting fighting go or banning it...and they are def. leaning to banning it.

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

I believe they do care about player safety, however it isn't their first priority. Like any successful business, profits reign supreme. And nobody can deny that fighting sells. Ideally I think leagues would like to find a balance between the two.

They only care about player safety as it effects the bottom line and for some reason actually keeping them safe doesn't seem to sink in as profitable.

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

No argument from me here. I've been saying this for years now. The fact is, hitting causes many more concussions than fighting. A vast majority of them. So what's next? A ban on hitting? At that rate hockey wouldn't be hockey anymore. And sadly there have been some people calling for a ban on hitting so that isn't completely unheard of.

Don't ban hitting, bring back soft foam equipment.

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

I agree here as well. Although that logic is flawed if they think getting rid of fighting is going to help in that regard because it surely won't. In fact the league and owners are going about the wrong way if they really want to increase attendance and ratings. Boring, no hitting, no passion power play fests aren't going to do the trick. A heated battle between two teams that hate one another, raw emotion, animosity and ultimately fighting will. No it isn't politically correct, but it's the damn truth.

It's the vocal minority f*cking it up for everyone. Just like everything else.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by flex_buff_chest

They only care about player safety as it effects the bottom line and for some reason actually keeping them safe doesn't seem to sink in as profitable.

Fair point. The only issue I have with this statement is player injuries aren't necessarily related to reckless or dangerous play. Far too often for my liking players are suspended for a clean hit simply because the player got hurt. That isn't right. Although I realize that isn't going to change. Ideally you want the star players to be healthy and playing. But not at the expense of physicality. Both are equally important, IMO.

Originally Posted by flex_buff_chest

Don't ban hitting, bring back soft foam equipment.

I completely agree. Although that makes too much sense. Instead it would be easier to point the finger at fighting or hitting. I fully believe if the equipment size decreased, injuries and some reckless play will follow.