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FIGHTING VIOLENCE IN HOCKEY: PART II
Originally posted October 9, 1999: Volume 2, Issue 4

Each year, some event reignites the debate about hockey violence. On the first weekend of this season, hockey fans watched as Mike Modano's neck performed a horrifying contortion after the Dallas superstar was hit from behind and thrust helplessly into the boards. Those same fans breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that the injuries suffered by Modano were not as serious as they could have been. Relatively speaking, a mild concussion, a broken nose and strained ligaments in his neck are better than a broken neck or paralysis. The culprit -- Ruslan Salei, a defenceman with the Mighty Ducks -- received a ten game suspension for his efforts.

Modano is all right
This is not the first time that a star player has almost suffered a career-ending injury as a result of what can legitimately be termed a "cheap shot". Two years ago, we all recall, Paul Kariya was cross-checked in the head by Gary Suter and missed the remainder of the season as a result. Kariya has recently stated that he will have to carry his stick a little higher for protection. He lamented that it may no longer be worthwhile to think about winning the Lady Byng Trophy (for gentlemanly conduct).

Kariya is wary
The question resurfaces: is the NHL doing enough to protect its star players? We are led to believe by the hockey brethren that the elimination of the instigator rule would have served to protect Modano, Kariya and the countless other stars who are prey for the league's lesser talents. Perpetrators like Ruslan Salei (who was suspended last season for "slew footing"), so the theory goes, would hesitate to act out in such aggressive fashion if they were aware that this would invite the merciless response of the opposing teams toughest pugilist. Dave Semenko, who protected Wayne Gretzky for so many years in Edmonton, is provided as a shining example of this principle.

Can fighting end violence?
Those who favour the elimination of the instigator rule -- Don Cherry being the best known among them -- are probably right about one thing: a swift and strong response to such aggression would indeed result in a significant decrease in its reoccurrence. The problem with the Cherry solution -- as well-intentioned as it is -- is that it does not enhance the integrity of the league to end one form of violence by sanctioning another. There are other ways to achieve a "swift and strong response" to cheap-shot hockey, beginning with suspensions lasting far longer than the ten games Salei received. One can rest assured that there would be no need for an enforcer if players were routinely receiving 20 to 40 game suspensions for serious aggression of this sort.

Ouch.
Fighting too is a form of violence, and if we are to set any form of example for our children, it ought not any more acceptable than what Salei did. It is the "macho" culture embedded within hockey that suggests that fighting is somehow an appropriate response to other forms of violence. Just because fighting brings players face to face does not make it any less reprehensible. Cheap-shot hockey prevails in this league because violence as a whole is not discouraged.

Mike Modano spoke out against hockey violence this week. "It should come as no surprise to anyone that hitting from behind and attempts to injure will and have resulted in devastating injuries," Modano said in a prepared statement. "We have seen several careers end due to head injury, so the players and league are well aware of the dangers of excessive violence in hockey. Do we have to wait for someone to be paralyzed or killed before the league, teams and players come together to act?"

The strong tone of the statement was a welcome one. But how far does Modano believe the league should go? Is it only "excessive violence" that the league should be concerned about? Would he, and other players in the league, support strong penalties for all forms of hockey violence? That remains to be seen.

[Photos courtesy of Pictures Now!.]

Fighting Violence in Hockey: Part I
[Posted September 1, 1998]