Thread: Punched Out - The Life and Death of a Hockey Enforcer / Derek Boogaard

Originally Posted by gradin

Originally Posted by SirJW

What the ? Did you read the articles? What about the health and impact on all the players that don't make the NHL or even make it? Is the price for your entertainment worth it? It's time to ban fighting.

While we are at it, let's ban hitting. Let's soften the puck, etc.... Let's ban alcohol, cigarettes, deep frying, sun tanning, boxing, MMA, tackling in football, blah blah blah. The world can be made very safe. If you do not want to fight, don't fight. If you are good enough, you'll still make it. Last time I checked, wills were still pretty free. Let's react to EVERY situation as it happens and fix the world!!

I understand that for many a fan, fighting may be seen as "entertainment". So you know, it isn't like that for all of us.

Firstly: yes fighting is entertainment, you stand and cheer, urging your guy on. That's pretty much the definition.

Secondly: the 'pussification' argument holds no water. Fighting is banned in football and rugby. Tell those guys their sport is pussified.

Originally Posted by Maddogg420

Firstly: yes fighting is entertainment, you stand and cheer, urging your guy on. That's pretty much the definition.

Secondly: the 'pussification' argument holds no water. Fighting is banned in football and rugby. Tell those guys their sport is pussified.

I think you are confusing the point of fighting. It would not change how I viewed hockey if it was banned, I just think it is a tad ignorant of many people who don't understand the role it plays in the game. BTW, I stand for the anthem too and I cheer at the end. I also cheer for big hits which can cause injury. I even cheer when a player makes a great shot block. That too can cause injury.

As for "pussification", football and rugby have equally as violent ways of evening scores. While they may not stand toe to toe and fight, go talk to anyone who has played on the OL or DL. Some far uglier **** goes on there. Even baseball has it's own ways. Cleats up? Fastball near the chin?

I'll repeat this very simple mantra: if you do not want to fight, then don't. It sure seems to work lots of NHLers. It's sad that Boogaard died, but everything that he did in his life was his choice. I wonder if an article about a 32 year old that died of cancer from smoking would be treated with such kid gloves? I do not need a study to show that repeatedly being punched in the head may cause brain damage much like I do not need to hear that being a cop of a firefighter can be a dangerous job.

Originally Posted by Maddogg420

I cannot remember the last time a fight changed the momentum/result of a game. If two guys get hot, then fine. But the enforcer has no role any longer. 'sparking' a team, 'standing up' for a teammate? Please. They only fight the other goons which doesn't seem to be a deterrent at all. Westgarth might be a big guy, capable(or not) of throwing big punches. But I for one do not really want to be there when he ends someone's carreer( or has his ended) in a meaningless brawl between two guys who play 5minutes a night if they are lucky.

It is rather (and that is an understatement) disingenuous to make the claim "you do not remember the last time......". First off, I am not sure how you'd quantify that. More importantly though, it would be easy to just brush off any claim that a fight did actually affect the momentum of a game. Would the guy in the fight have to score during the fight? Would it need to be the next shift?

Originally Posted by Maddogg420

Once upon a time the enforcer had a purpose, but no longer.

First off, not sure what this means. Are you saying you are ok with fighting but just not goons or are you saying things used to be different? If it's the latter, I think you might be suffering from "getting too old for this crap".

Originally Posted by kingnut

Thats why i suggested getting rid of the instigator, maybe curbing some of the runs.
I agree that the players do not have the replay etc... that we as fans have.

I am with you on the instigator, especially because it has become so random it rarely makes sense. This fight happens in the last minute of a 5-0 game with Jackman looking to fight:

Dale Weise vs Tim Jackman, Nov 1, 2011 - Nucks vs Flames - hockeyfights.com

Originally Posted by gradin

I do not need a study to show that repeatedly being punched in the head may cause brain damage much like I do not need to hear that being a cop of a firefighter can be a dangerous job.

Dude, we need cops and firefighters. We don't need to keep killing marginal talent players to sell tickets. I would have been right there with you if I hadn't read that article.

Hockey evolves. Time for a change.

Originally Posted by mark1306

Dude, we need cops and firefighters. We don't need to keep killing marginal talent players to sell tickets. I would have been right there with you if I hadn't read that article.

Hockey evolves. Time for a change.

Do we need coal miners?

I will say it again, if you do not want to fight when you play hockey, then don't. It is really easy. Funny thing though, I'd bet there are many fans here that have suddenly decided they hate fighting but also still think the Sedins are "sisters" because they don't fight.

The ridiculous idea that we are "killing" anyone is exactly what is wrong with this discussion. Fighting didn't kill Boogaard, alcohol and painkillers did. Those things kills lots of people. My suggestion is "don't choose a life of fighting". I think think that would be a great fortune cookie.

I know it's a bit callous but what's the saying? Live by the sword and die by the sword... but in this case the sword seems to be alcohol and painkillers. You don't have to be an NHL enforcer to throw your life away with that ****. And you also don't have to throw your life away with that **** to be an NHL enforcer.

Originally Posted by Byatch1979

I know it's a bit callous but what's the saying? Live by the sword and die by the sword... but in this case the sword seems to be alcohol and painkillers. You don't have to be an NHL enforcer to throw your life away with that ****. And you also don't have to throw your life away with that **** to be an NHL enforcer.

He may have died from the alcohol and pain killers, however what helped get him there was the role he played.

Not so easy for a teen to walk away from that particular life when that was the life that the hockey world has provided for him.

I am not saying that fighting needs to be banned, however something needs to be done. Was listening to the NHL network this morning driving to work, they stated that Brandon Prust in an interview in the NY daily news stated to do away with the instigator. Not sure it was clearly stated, but implied on XM.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ho...ticle-1.989855

I think it would help in 2 areas.
1. Less runs without being able to hide from a 2 min instigator
2. Does away with the staged fights

As i mentioned earlier, not saying this is the end all be all, but something needs to be done.

Boogard may be an outlier, we may never know. however, when you have boxers and several hockey players of late showing signs of CTE should open the eyes up of even the skeptics.

Another aspect to look at, maybe soften up the pads. Just a suggestion. Given that football is just as violent, maybe the hockey helmets can be better, although hockey is much faster and this may be a moot point.

Originally Posted by SirJW

Boogaard, Rypien, Belak, Probert...
These kids that choose to fight really don't know any better, it's the adults that have to protect them.

Exactly