New rule regulates dirty hits in NHL
Amber Kuehl
Sports Editor
Mention hockey in any conversation, and people automatically think of fights. Fighting and physical contact is what hockey has always been known for, and fans love it.
However, Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the NHL Colin Campbell, along with coaches, players and others in the NHL, have some concerns.
While most players say fighting and checking are part of the game, those in charge say it’s too dangerous and needs to be eliminated, especially headshots.
The 2009-2010 regular season has seen a progression of penalties for headshots and dirty hits.
In early March, Boston Bruins player Marc Savard was hit by Pittsburgh Penguins’ Matt Cooke. Cooke blindsided Savard from behind, yet Cooke did not get penalized on the ice, nor by the NHL for the dangerous hit. Though Savard has yet to skate in a game since the hit, the Bruins are in the playoffs and advanced to the second round, and he has been cleared to play as of April 27.
On March 14, Washington Capital star Alex Ovechkin knocked Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Brian Campbell into the boards after Campbell Campbell
Three days later, during a game against the Anaheim Ducks, Hawks defenseman Brent Seabrook was charged by Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski. Wisniewski elbowed Seabrook in the face and Seabrook’s head hit the glass. He was unconscious before he hit the ice.
On March 24, during a playoff game against the Nashville Predators, Blackhawk Marian Hossa crashed Preds’ player Dan Hamhuis into the boards from the side. Many compared this hit to Ovechkin’s on Campbell
Colin Campbell said Hossa did not receive a suspension because he doesn’t have a history of violent hits and both players were reaching for the puck. The hit was still dangerous, as Hamhuis went into the boards, and Hossa was given a five minute penalty during the game.
Hits are dangerous in hockey. Hitting someone from behind could severely injure them.
In Feb. of 2004, Todd Bertuzzi, then of the Vancouver Canucks, punched Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche from behind, driving him headfirst into the ice. Moore
Bertuzzi was suspended until the 2005-2006 season, because of the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. He lost $850,000 in endorsements and salary.
These shots are dangerous. Players must wear helmets, padding, some even have visors on their helmets, but the hits keep coming. The NHL has implemented these regulations in an attempt to make the game safer, but they don’t protect players from hard hits, or hits in vulnerable spots like the neck and back, which may still cause damage. In the hockey rule book, there were no penalties based on the location of hits until this year.
On March 23, the NHL unanimously approved a new rule that will prohibit dangerous knocks to the head. Players now have to take extra caution, for fear of in-game penalties, or postgame penalties, that impose suspensions or fines, for hits the league considers dangerous.
This is good news for all players. This should help lessen the fear of dangerous hits so players can concentrate on winning games.
That said, players who cannot handle a few knocks should never have become involved in such a physical sport.
Hits and fights are part of the game and should not be completely eliminated. It’s exciting when players get in their opponents face to defend a teammate or make a statement. It boosts the team’s morale and gets the fans revved up. The NHL should be aware that, while the hits can be dangerous, if they are clean and regulated, they are a boost to the game.
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