The Enemy Within Part Two

I had originally intended to include some of the other comments that were included in the Keith Gave article on Sportsline.com from Sept.21st in this second installment. After a little reflection, I decided to do something more constructive and write to Mr. Jimmy Devellano, himself, of the Detroit Red Wings and attempt to find out why he has become one of the arch-enemies of fighting in Hockey after all his 30 years in the league. The following is the letter that I mailed to him on Sept. 24th, 2000.

9-24-2000
Mr. James Devellano
Senior VP, Detroit Red Wings
National Hockey League
Joe Louis Arena
600 Civic Center
Detroit, Mich. 48226

Sir:

I am writing to you on behalf of the millions of paying fans, the millions of supporters of various NHL programs, and more specifically, the millions of fans who do not, repeat, do not want the abolition of fighting in the National Hockey League to ever come about. Comments attributed to you in a column (SportsLine.com; Sept.9-21-2000) have placed you four-square on the opposing side of the very people who subsidize the salaries of every employee, every player, every Zamboni driver and every Senior VP in the league. The motivation behind this plan, that has been, as you ostensibly stated, is “5 years in the works”, requires explanation on how it would actually improve the game, which according to you, “looked like roller derby”. But more than anything else, the primary question you need to answer is: Who deemed you as the spokesperson for the people who subsidize your career and are antithetical to your matter-of-factly-dismissal of one of the major reasons fans rise from their seats at each and every game?

The assessment by you and other management types that the average Joe Sixpack that you think goes to the games and will tolerate any dilution for the sake of phony politically correctness, is totally incorrect, being that you and your board room cadre are so out of touch with the salary-paying fan. Had you uttered anything remotely close to your newly found dislike of fighting back in the 1970’s, perhaps I would be writing to another point man of this current group of Suits of Clay. You know perfectly well that people, or should I repeat it, the people who pay the League’s salaries, are normally to busy to speak out, voice distress, or contact those who we pay. Your epiphany from pro-fighting, or at least, a man who tolerated fighting for the great ticket sales, to a man who now has seen the light is embarrassing. Altering hockey, a gift from Man to God (my opinion) is a crime. To try to be like any other major sport is spiritually wrong. Hockey should never be tampered with, period. You knew that once. There is no need to explain this. It remains unique for qualities that supercede debate. The greedy desire to capture markets that could take hockey or leave it will eventually backfire on the game. Few in the boardrooms seem to seriously look at the long-range consequences of over-exposing the game, for the game’s sake. All for the Great God Dollar. More Yashins…Higher ticket prices…More holdouts…Franchise failures…

I recognize, as you do, that one letter from an angry fan is nothing to lose sleep over. We are powerless, at present, to stop your investor buddies from ruining the game as they are trying to do. The fact that you have chosen to eliminate fighting is secondary to the practices of you and your coterie in simply doing what you wish, without the consent, advice, or even opinion of the people who pay your salary. If people wish to see no-touch-style of play, they may go to the kiddie league of their choice. This is not the style of play that the overwhelming majority of people who have paid your salary for 30 some odd years wish to watch. I suggest that your organization take a poll of Red Wing fans and see what they think of your comments. If you care to respond or explain your position, I would seriously like to hear/read them.

Howard Brown