Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
There is pretty clearly a cultural problem in hockey that manifests in the strong correlation between fighting, substance abuse, the pervasive onset of CTE, and suicide. It would be naive and irresponsible for us to ignore the fact that so many NHL enforcers endure significant and unusual difficulty adapting and coping with everyday life at the ends of their careers. Why do you think that is? Why do you think so many family members of dead former players with reputations as enforcers have entered into a lawsuit against the NHL?
It is pretty well known that in the ‘80s and ‘90s NHL enforcers often required unhealthy cocktails of painkillers to survive the daily grind of fighting in the NHL. The stress of having to step on the ice every night and engage in fights on skates—often without adequate rest and rehab between games—undoubtedly also exacts a serious psychological toll. I don’t believe any player aspires to be a “hockey fighter.” No, they want to play because they love the game. But for a lot of players the ONLY way they can see ice time or stay on the bench is to start a fight with a player on the other team when the coach taps them in. Desire fuels all sorts of unhealthy, dangerous choices that don’t just destroy individual lives; they destroy families. I think if we are serious about protecting players then this is part of the conversation that needs to take place.
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I can’t dispute any of what you said as it’s all relatively new stuff that’s becoming to be linked exactly how much of what causes what isn’t known. Yes concussions are bad for you no one can dispute that. But like how you liked JiriHrdinas post about how sometimes a player won’t know what’s best for them. The same works for a grieving family looking for someone to blame. I enjoy fighting in hockey however I haaaaaaate a unprovoked staged fight. So I can get on board that there needs to be a cultural change and also that there has been one. Pure goons no longer exist in order to be a fighter in hockey now you also need to be able to play some resemblance of hockey. But yet again even in the case of the people you suggest they were adults making that choice to become fighters in order to make the big leagues the choice to not do so was also there. You can’t equate the desire to play the same as doing Heroin or something, these are level and also non level headed people making choices in life like it’s our right too. I hate when choices get taken away from people by other people who think they know better for the sake of them wether it’s sports or not. It’s your body to choose the risks you want to take with it.