Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
I played low levels of contact sports, including full contact ball hockey, but not ice hockey (I'm a terrible skater)
And I recognize this is a huge part of the game.
I do have some personal connections with former athletes who live with the results of concussions on a daily basis. Which is part of the reason for my passion on the topic.
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What are their opinions on stuff like this?
I’m with you most of the way here Jiri. Targeted headshots and fighting should be gone. But the sport will always be dangerous. Not allowing that hit is the same to me as not allowing a slapshot because it might hurt someone. A slapshot could very well kill a person. There are things happening on the ice that are out of yours or anyone’s control, and things are moving crazy fast. There’s no time for that kid to consider whether or not he will hurt that other player. There is a man cutting through the mid zone with the puck and he’s the dman he has a choice to step in or play him back. If he chooses to step in he MUST take that guy out of the play. If he takes the puck instead of the man and gets danced around, he’s enjoying the bench. The velocity at which they are moving (natural flow of the game) and lack of preparedness by the offensive player is what causes an injury there.
It’s tough to see no doubt. I’ve watch it happen to kids I care about too. But they choose to play knowing this might happen. They and their parents sign waivers and insurance forms, and there are options available to people who don’t want to hurt themselves playing a sport. The highest competitor league possible is not that place.