http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/02/21/concussion-hockey-sports-marcel-dionne.html
Seriously, don't people ever learn?
Look, I'm not saying the NHL game was pretty, nor is it for the meek. Hockey is a physical sport, there's no doubt about it.
But the fighting, the headshots, and more importantly the deliberate intent to injure - how has that ended up being part of the game; and more importantly, why is it so 'staunchly' defended?
Getting the puck in the net (and using the stick as a tool to accomplish that) is apparently no longer as important as 'getting back' or 'getting even', or 'teaching them a lesson'.
You'll find the majority of people who defend it call it 'The Code'. I call it Thriving of the Goons.
If you want to know how the NHL regressed from being a sport played by professionals whose desire was to win the big prize -the Stanley Cup - to 'Gladiators on Ice', look to two events which reinforce this ingrained concept of the 'The Code' or the rights of the idiotic -
1. 1967 Expansion - acceptance of the Goon.
In 1967, the NHL expanded beyond six teams. During this time and thereafter, there was a significant increase in fighting, brawling, headshots, and deliberate intents to injure. Why?
According the NHL's own audit of the situation, although there were only six teams, the quality of play was considered quite high. The expansion to include additional teams not only introduced the league to new cities, but added a new groups players that were less-skilled. In order to effectively compete with the already-established style of play, these new players relied on goon-style tactics (fighting/brawling, headshots/high-sticking, and a deliberate attempt to injure). Consequently the overall quality of the game decreased. Along with this audit, came an tacit acceptance of this decline from the NHL.
The problem today, is that generation - and subsequent generations since - have reinforced this style of play to such an extent, that it is now the standard for the NHL. As easy as one could to blame this entirely on the players, the bottom-line responsibility for this occurring lies with the NHL itself for initially and subsequently accepting this new style of play as the standard.
So where did this acceptance come from?
2. Televised Hockey across North America - the demand for ratings and revenue and the encouragement of the Goon.
The fact is, watching hockey (or any sport for that matter) is a form of entertainment. And anytime or any way large entities that are businesses like the NHL, the broadcasters, or the corporations that now own the teams; feel they can increase their rate-of-return on their investment, the better for them.
Great goals scored, great saves, that sort of thing isn't deemed 'sellable'. These entities don't think that's worth getting people to buy more beer, buy more shirts, yell at the top of their lungs (though you know those things to help that pesky little thing called winning the game).
But fights, headshots, injuries - that attract lots of attention. That generates controversy. And I think these entities' minds, attention fills seats with people who love this kind of entertainment and hence generates revenue and allows them to maintain control over the game.
(Never mind the fact that off the ice of an NHL rink, doing those kinds of things are usually considered assault and battery in most places in the US and Canada).
In a sense, it's as if the NHL is deliberately sanctioning mindlessness, violence, and stupidity in the name of revenue and control.
And with hockey, it's less about the television per se (that really only helps the broadcasters and the advertisers). It's all about attracting enough attention from televised controversies to fill as many seats in the arenas. So what if those people like fighting over actual hockey? I have a theory most of these goon-lovers find the actual game boring, which is why they feel the need to drink.
We have Don Cherry and Hockey Night In Canada to largely thank for constantly encouraging and growing this mentality across Canada, and the US. It's no surprise, they are both owned by the CBC, and the goal for them is revenue.
So what is the result today?
In professional sports like baseball and soccer, the concept of a goon doesn't really exist. You don't win those games by beating up the other team. But somehow that isn't the case with NHL hockey.
And of course, the only way to fight fire is with more fire. So teams 'combat' goons by hiring more goons (pretty neat way to perpetuate a monopoly, eh?).
Is it working? Is the NHL as popular compared to other professional sports?
I'd say no.
What's it going to take for the NHL to realize how self-destructive this is not only for the players, but for itself?
What's it going to take to get fans to stop the bloodlust and return to demanding that NHL hockey become a game again, and not a boxing match on skates?
Death perhaps?
Perhaps the answer may lie not with the adult fans, but parents who choose to no longer involve their children in this madness.
I think by then, it'll be too late for the NHL.
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