Quote:
Originally Posted by cam_calderon
We entrust 17-year-olds here in New South Wales with the ability to pilot vehicles that can easily kill people in seconds if mishandled. Yet a 21-year-old is unable to think for himself, and take punches, should he choose to do it? It just boggles the mind.
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Good point. We should raise the driving age to 25, when their brains are fully developed. Then we should make them pass an ethics exam before getting a license. In fact, we shouldn't allow anyone under that age to make a decision for themselves ever. /s
Nobody is arguing that he doesn't have the free will to make the choice, but as Winsor put it so eloquently, this isn't about free choice, this is about workplace safety. It's the league's responsibility to ensure as much possible workplace safety while still allowing players to play their style of game.
You know, at one time in the history of the NHL, helmets were not required (nor encouraged)...yet now they're mandatory and thank god for that. Same thing for visors, and players complained...thank god visors are mandatory. I think Bryan Berard wishes he had one before he lost an eye. I'm just patiently waiting for the neck guards to become mandatory too.
Head shots and predatory hits are looked at very harshly and players are suspended for them. It's looked at as NOT a hockey play, but an intent to injure. Is fighting a hockey play? Is there an intent to injure or are guys pulling their punches? Sure, players have the free will to make those types of predatory hits, but there are consequences, sometimes serious ones that affect their pay. The question is whether the league should do the same thing for fighting, seeing as how it is also about head shots that aren't a necessary part of the game.