[News] QMJHL bans fighting

[cam_calderon]

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere, but this is fairly significant news, I thought. Behind a paywall here.

Automatic ejection for fighting, automatic one-match suspension for instigator, two for aggressor.

[Scroopy Noopers]

As someone who always enjoyed fighting, I like it.

[Coach]

Good.

[btimbit]

As much as I enjoyed fighting in juniors, I really have no problem with not allowing it until you're in some sort of adult league. I did it willingly but the stories of kids being pressured into it is just gross

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Coach

Good.

Yup, especially for young men with developing brains, most of whom will never play pro. It’s not worth the risk in any way.

[cam_calderon]

What does this mean, if anything, for the NHL?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

What does this mean, if anything, for the NHL?

Players entering the league where fighting is now legal for the first time in their careers. Helps to further phase it out.

[activeStick]

I'm a supporter of fighting in the NHL but agree with this decision to ban it in the junior leagues.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Players entering the league where fighting is now legal for the first time in their careers. Helps to further phase it out.

But if the NHL's goal is to phase out fighting, couldn't they just... ban it now and be done with it?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

But if the NHL's goal is to phase out fighting, couldn't they just... ban it now and be done with it?

Every time a punch is thrown, wads of cash drop from the sky on Bettman's head.

He'll take his time.

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

But if the NHL's goal is to phase out fighting, couldn't they just... ban it now and be done with it?

I don't think they want to ban it outright and will hold out as long as they can.

[metroneck]

A good hockey fight is my guilty pleasure, but with a son who is on the Jr bubble, and 2 nephews higher up, the thought of watching them bare knuckle fight makes me ill.

It’s crazy to me that it is even a conversation in Jr Hockey.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

But if the NHL's goal is to phase out fighting, couldn't they just... ban it now and be done with it?

I wish.

I actually think having to fight near every time a big clean hit is made is a bad look for the league.

I'm happy to see it banned and hopefully it makes it to the NHL.

[bdubbs]

I only enjoy the fights that aren't staged and are a result of a tightly contested playoff series between two teams that hate one another.

Clean hits and regular season games don't really have the same stakes, so it makes the fights feel staged and inorganic.

Though I will admit that banning fighting would be the best outcome for the players' health.

EDIT: Editing because I wanted to list Iggy's fight against Lecavalier as an example of the kind of fight that I love. All passion with the highest stakes.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by metroneck

A good hockey fight is my guilty pleasure, but with a son who is on the Jr bubble, and 2 nephews higher up, the thought of watching them bare knuckle fight makes me ill.

It’s crazy to me that it is even a conversation in Jr Hockey.

Exactly, I ABSOLUTELY loved fighting, when someone else's health was on the line. It's a whole different animal when you actually have skin in the game.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Every time a punch is thrown, wads of cash drop from the sky on Bettman's head.

He'll take his time.

I think the game would grow faster if they did ban fighting and continued to make the game more about skill. I think younger generations think differently these days and the league will make more money just getting rid of fighting

I love watching a good fight, but I won't be quitting watching if they banned it. Most die hard fans won't quit watching either.

Automatic ejection probably does not qualify as banning fighting either. It will still happen until you get suspended for fighting.

[fotze2]

"Growing the game" should absolutely be not a consideration or performance measure with these decisions. It should be completely irrelevant.

Also, am I the only one who gives 3 flying F's about growing the game. I wanna shrink the game. Obviously the owners want to grow it, fans do not benefit from growing it at all.

[bluejays]

Modern day fights generally are dumb. When you talk about it and then drop the gloves it’s just dumb bro nonsense. I liked the spontaneous fights here and there but when a guy has one responsibility and talks about it before doing (which much of it is), it’s time to get it out. Plus it’s not good for your head especially while younger.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I'm sure the NHL would prefer to eliminate fighting, but would rather it happen organically to avoid pissing off a portion of their fan base.
At some point it will just be gone, having it eliminated from junior will be a big step towards that.

[Sylvanfan]

So is it now the OHL and QMJHL that have essentially made it a suspendable offence? Have to to think the WHL will need to follow suit shortly.

Is Senior Mens hockey in Quebec still the most violent hockey in the solar system? If I remember correctly those are leagues where the occasional goal is scored between fights and guys rack up 300pims in 20 games.