Canada Give Your Referees Guns
After the Marty McSorley verdict was announced yesterday, a sigh of relief was heard throughout the hockey community in Canada. After all, it was the place where hockey was born and raised. The homeland where it is still considered the national pastime that made hockey the most frowned upon major professional sport. Not only was hockey made a mockery in it’s native country, but in Vancouver, British Columbia. After hockey, the first thing that comes to mind is marijuana. Hippie Capital, Canada. I guess the local government has no bounds to what it considers “peace”.
What else can one say about this trial? The NHL, or the Canucks, or even Donald Brashear himself – the media’s suddenly beloved victim, did not provoke it. I will not put this history lesson in reverse and remind you that Brashear has never been a considered a fair-playing hockey player. Unless of course I just did. Brashear has been outspoken about this incident at times. He says he does not recall it, but only knows how it happened from the replay. Brashear has also stated quite a few times that he hopes McSorley never gets to play in the NHL. After the verdict today, he may have his wish. The NHL and Gary Bettman would look quite foolish to let a man sentenced to probation for using his hockey stick as a weapon play again. At 37, Marty McSorley’s career probably would not have lasted much longer anyway.
At no time did Brashear ever say he hopes McSorley would serve jail time. No doubt this was for two reasons. One, in his role, no matter how he plays it, he must have some respect for the game itself, and to let the game govern itself. The other must be fear. Fear that this could set a precedent. Sure, no jail time was given today, but what about next time? The next time someone gets mad on the ice, what should happen? Bettman has made his position clear on fighting. He would like to see it banned. His stance on this has not changed even though most General Managers who have been part of the game longer. Stick suspensions seem to be more and more common each year.
But why stop at suspensions? After all, the Canadian government feels that obviously the league cannot govern itself. I have many ideas. The first concepts must start with the refereeing system. The referees right now are only equipped with whistles. This is ludicrous. What should happen if the players misbehave? The refs need a better way to get them into the penalty box. From now on the referees should be equipped with handcuffs, and very long nightsticks. I mean with the players carrying around hockey sticks, we cannot have the referees at such a disadvantage. The second thing to look at is the penalties. 2 minutes? 5 minutes? What is that? When players get a penalty, it should be 2-5 years. Do not worry about the player crop; we’ll just keep searching overseas for new talent. I have noticed there are no or little players from the Middle East or southern Asia. Plenty of untapped talent there I am sure. Plus, when players are done serving their “penalties” they will be better players, too scared to even go near an opponent. Think of how open the game will be!
The courts involvement is disgusting. We have an overzealous prosecutor looking to make a name for himself. A judge who not only does not understand hockey, but must have a lack of knowledge of all sports and the systems that are used to keep it’s players in order. This is the rolling rock that must be stopped now. As bad as it has been for hockey, it’s not a murder trial. The NHL has not stepped into NFL territory. But the NFL has not had a player been on trial recently for something that was done during a game. All professional sports leagues should be scared at the moment. Scared that each of it’s own disciplinary systems may be tossed out for attorneys, judges and jail time. From a fan who wishes to see players remain in the game and in a court room – good luck.
