Ice Hockey and Highly Effective Tool Essay

All die-hard hockey fans have their own opinion on if fighting should or should not be allowed in hockey. There are lots of different debates going on right now and many people are getting a say in what they think about fighting such as, former Boston Bruins coach, Don Cherry and NHL director of hockey operations, Colin Campbell who said that most fans like fighting and that right now it has its place in hockey. Fighting is also a huge part of the game for some very aggressive players so to take away fighting from hockey would to be taking away some of the players as well. Although, some people say that fighting sends a bad message to children it actually prevents more injuries then it causes. Actually, most people think that fighting is a way for players to release their anger during the game and it even keeps the skilled players out there from getting hurt because of the enforcers (fighters). Many people love to watch the game of hockey either to watch their favorite team play or their favorite player score the overtime winner but the one thing that boosts the excitement in every fan is a good solid drop of the gloves between two players. Although, fighting causes a five minute penalty for their actions, it is very exciting for the fans and is a highly effective tool for lots of teams. One of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) biggest and most exciting brawlers of this time is Colton Orr of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Orr and many other major fighters give fighting in hockey a entire new meaning from knocking someone out to pulling on hair, but either way most fans love to watch the exciting bouts between two rivals. Still to this day just as many exciting fights are take place today just as they were when the game of hockey started. Secondly, if the commissioners took fighting out of the National Hockey League they would be taking the risk of losing a major percentage of the US market. This would be a huge problem because there is a vast majority of people in the US who watch hockey and love it when a fight breaks out. This is a true fact because for example, the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins have a huge reputation for being two of the roughest, toughest teams out there. So, if fighting were to be taken out the NHL would also lose Boston and Philadelphia market which at this time is huge. If that were to happen they would lose a high majority of their ticket sales causing them to even shut down at some time. Thirdly, taking fighting completely out of hockey really won’t solve any problems for anyone; in fact it will probably make it even worse. By eliminating fighting this will just cause dirtier plays such as slew footing, slashing, spearing, hooking and many more forms of rough play which will make the eliminators of fighting think twice about what they had done. As well, if more forms of rough play began working its way into the league that could cause more injuries then fighting ever did alone. But, if they were to take out fighting out of hockey wouldn’t it be fair to take out all types of contact as well, but then what kind of sport would we be left with? And I thought Canadians were supposed to be the tough ones. Finally, many people are saying fighting can’t be taken out of hockey because for some teams picking a fight is a secret weapon for them. Fighting for some teams can be a highly effective tool for them when used right though. If, done right this can be very effective to intimidate a player and make him do dumb plays. For example, if you can get under a opponents skin and into his head they are going to be more focused on you then any part of the game and this can cause them to give up the puck and then there coach could make them miss some of the game. Or if one of your players gets hurt due to a big hit and you go after them it shows your willing can stand up for them and that they can’t mess with your team.