Sportsnet article on fighting

[JKidd]

We're all searching now, for some solution to hockey's latest malady. And of course, there will be those who see a simple solution to a complex problem.

"Ban fighting and this will never happen again," they're already saying. Of course, if hockey had banned fighting years ago, we would never have known who Wade Belak, Derek Boogaard, or Rick Rypien were, as none would ever have played in the National Hockey League.

But they're falling now, the heavyweights. Three, now, inside one summer. People are concerned, and they should be.

Boogaard, lost to an overdose. Rypien, reportedly by his own hand.

And now Belak, one of the happiest, most employable of them all. Bright and funny, with a 1,000-watt personality.

He had a wife, two kids, and two post-hockey gigs to put food on the table. He was still in the limelight with Battle of the Blades, and had a TV gig in Nashville once that concluded. Life after hockey was so much better than it is for so many other ex-players, you'd think.

What possibly could have been burning a hole in his soul, to cause a 35-year-old man with so much ahead of him to find death in a hotel room? Whether tortured or behaving badly, the police said his death was not suspicious. We may never know the details.

This isn't a concussion issue, however. Something that can be solved by instituting stricter rules, or finally getting past the NHLPA's filibuster and getting rid of those hard-capped shoulder pads.

This one is cold and rigid.

More...

[shaud19]

This isn't a concussion issue, however. Something that can be solved by instituting stricter rules, or finally getting past the NHLPA's filibuster and getting rid of those hard-capped shoulder pads.

The last thing we need are more mamby pamby rules!

[brandonh19]

I just came across this and came to post it, but i like this guy he seems to get it. Unlike everyone in the word whos going to riuh to say protect these guys bbecause we dont like fighting. Would never be able to say anything about them if not for fighting.

Therese guys cant understand that its a rough job but its a job and easier than others, it comes with a sense of glory for a time.

I know a former nhler played in atlanta and chicago and the devils he was torn up by the things that he didn in the nhl back in the day, went through the programs and now hes out and better, and he talks about hockey and how much he loved it. And hes the first guy to tell you that fighting needs to STAY in the game, and he went through battling demons becuase of it. Thats saying something about how important the role of the fighter and how important fighting is to the game and some media members wont get it.