In part one it was head shots and my observation that players simply are not doing enough to protect themselves. Now we look at one of the most discussed issues in hockey. Fighting.
Downey vs Boulerice
With the realisation that star players had targets painted on them came the birth of a new player. A new breed of toughness and those men are called "Enforcers" There job is to protect the skill guys and allow them to focus on scoring.
These guys are tough as nails. Many of them admittedly feel very nervous before games knowing they are likely going to fight,There are those who look forward to it and then there are some who do it because it's their best chance to be able to play the game they love and not because they want to.
In the last couple years the NHL and alumni ranks have been hit hard by some tragic deaths to well known enforcers.
Wade Belak who I had the pleasure of meeting as a kid during his days in Cornwall with the Aces (Hershey Bears now). He was honestly one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. A Funny guy. Liked to have fun. Admitted after his career he would have trouble sleeping the night before if he knew he was going to have to fight.
Other players included Derek Boogard, Bob Probert and Rick Rypien. All well respected men all dying within a short 2 year span which led to the outpouring of frustration as Probert's brain showed signs of a degenerative brain disease that was later revealed to be found in Boogard's brain as well.
Doctor's want fighting out. Players want fighting in. "Heavyweights" in the NHL are on the decline and are finding themselves benched or demoted more often than ever before as the NHL transitions to a more speed and finesse game.
Beagle vs Asham
Aaron Asham and the controversial "Go to sleep" KO celebration shows that despite the time passed since the unfortunate deaths, the complaints on fighting are not going away. Beagle the other fighter in this video suffered a concussion. Whether his concussion was from the punches or hitting the ice is up for debate.Can fighting be banned? In my opinion no absolutely not. Guys like the concussed Sidney Crosby need protection or the game will fail to grow. Wayne Gretzky proved this. Gretzky was nearly untouchable but that's because his supporting cast was built so that anyone who dared touch him would be punished. That intimidation factor is critical to the protection of star players.
It's not the ideal job but someone has to do it and as long as hockey exists their will always be people ready and willing to drop the mitts to keep their jobs to protect their friends to protect themselves.
Shout out to Paul Shantz! Guy is tough as nails. Go Warriors
