[shermanator]

Some of the released emails disclosed describe the behind-the-scenes debate at the NHL following the death in January 2009 of Don Sanderson, a player in an Ontario men’s senior league who died after his helmet came off and he hit his head on the ice during a fight.

Weeks after Sanderson’s death, Stephen Walkom, the NHL’s director of officiating, discussed with colleagues possible rule changes to prevent other serious injuries.

Johanna Kytola, who worked in the NHL’s officiating department, emailed Walkom on Feb. 10, 2009, to ask whether a consensus had been reached on new rules regarding fighting.

“Ya love it, much to the dismay of the tree huggin, never played sport, leftist doctors… that soon won’t let us climb stairs for fear of concussion...” Walkom responded.

“Well ultimately you can never get rid of fighting... No matter what the injury risk ” Kytola wrote.

Stephen Walkom doesn't come across too smart in this particular quote.