[News] QMJHL bans fighting

[Yeah_Baby]

The Dub will probably hold out a little longer but I don't see how they can't.

[Mass_nerder]

Fighting in the NHL/AHL, where at least everyone is an adult, is one thing, but it's kind of crazy that it was allowed at all in a league where the age range is 16-20. Like, a physical mature 20 year old adult can jump a 16 year old kid, beat the piss out of him, and everyone claps and cheers.

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

Fighting in the NHL/AHL, where at least everyone is an adult, is one thing, but it's kind of crazy that it was allowed at all in a league where the age range is 16-20. Like, a physical mature 20 year old adult can jump a 16 year old kid, beat the piss out of him, and everyone claps and cheers.

I think fighting should be banned in all juniors leagues but honestly how often does this happen?

I wouldn't be shocked if it is zero fights between a 16 year old and 20 year old in many years.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by 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.

How many people would actually stop watching the NHL if this happened? I can't imagine it would be a big number. I think the biggest opposition might come from the fringe NHL players who know dropping the mitts can be an element that keeps them in the league. But even that seems to be diminishing in importance over the years.

[Patek23]

I know im probably in the minority here, but when they phase fighting out of the NHL that will be it for me as a fan.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Igottago

How many people would actually stop watching the NHL if this happened? I can't imagine it would be a big number. I think the biggest opposition might come from the fringe NHL players who know dropping the mitts can be an element that keeps them in the league. But even that seems to be diminishing in importance over the years.

I agree but I don't think the NHL is very progressive in their thinking.

[bdubbs]

Originally Posted by Patek23

I know im probably in the minority here, but when they phase fighting out of the NHL that will be it for me as a fan.

I don't believe you.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Patek23

I know im probably in the minority here, but when they phase fighting out of the NHL that will be it for me as a fan.

I love watching people fight but I don't think fighting is a deal breaker for me.

There are sports that are only fighting, with a higher level of fighting skill on display

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by Spurs

I think fighting should be banned in all juniors leagues but honestly how often does this happen?

I wouldn't be shocked if it is zero fights between a 16 year old and 20 year old in many years.

I'm guessing it's not that common, but it's a situation that could happen.

[Whynotnow]

I think we know enough as humans now that it’s time to take fighting out of the game. The old rock ‘em sock em videos are a case study of CTE and I used to love watching them and now shudder. Throw punches, get tossed and suspended. It will be and adjustment, we will complain at times and then move on.

You want to get even more controversial it would be around how to deal with body checking, the goal of body contact is to separate the person from the puck and to use no more force than is necessary to do so. That would be a tough rule to start to enforce but probably would make the game better. My son played a year of bantam at the Tier 1 non contact level, best form of hockey he’s ever played. Fast, skilled, intense, still tough battles for space and puck, but none of the stupidity I have seen with hitting involved. In U18 we had a couple of penalties called this year where the ref deemed one of our players used excessive, predatory type of cintact. The hit wasn’t high, or from behind but the ref told us the player could’ve let up and achieved the same outcome. It was tough to understand in the moment but in hindsight I get it now.

[cam_calderon]

With everything we know about the effects of concussion nowadays, the devastation CTE causes at a relatively young age, I think it's highly unethical to allow bare-knuckle fighting.

I respect it's been a part of hockey forever, but just get rid of it.

[GirlySports]

so what happens if a fight happens out of spite or anger, like in basketball or baseball. Game misconducts and suspensions? Can 3rd men just jump in now since it's not a fight?

Also, if you ban fighting, your officiating has to be much better. You can't let a pest run around hitting people and the other team has no recourse to get him. At that point, they'll just take the suspension.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Patek23

I know im probably in the minority here, but when they phase fighting out of the NHL that will be it for me as a fan.

If you will stop watching Hockey because they ban fighting then are you actually a hockey fan?
Sounds to me like you might be a fight fan who found the most inefficient way to watch fights.

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

so what happens if a fight happens out of spite or anger, like in basketball or baseball. Game misconducts and suspensions? Can 3rd men just jump in now since it's not a fight?

I think you end up with misconducts and suspensions and I think you will see a culture develop of team mates pulling players away from fights on their own team like you see in baseball and basketball. It won’t ever be perfect though.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

If you will stop watching Hockey because they ban fighting then are you actually a hockey fan?
Sounds to me like you might be a fight fan who found the most inefficient way to watch fights.

There's an MMA for that poster.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Patek23

I know im probably in the minority here, but when they phase fighting out of the NHL that will be it for me as a fan.

This is nothing more than a knee jerk reaction to change.

Change can be good. This change in particular can only be good. Don't seek out the negatives, look for the positives and embrace change. You'll be a much happier person (even if you already are).

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

so what happens if a fight happens out of spite or anger, like in basketball or baseball. Game misconducts and suspensions? Can 3rd men just jump in now since it's not a fight?

Also, if you ban fighting, your officiating has to be much better.

What happens?
Yeah, game misconducts and suspensions, just like in every other sport that doesn't allow fighting (As far as I know, literally every other sport except lacrosse)

Can 3rd men jump in?
I mean, yeah, they could. They will also be suspended. Cause it's still a fight.

Why do you need better reffing?
Every other sport bans fighting, do they all have better reffing? I'll bet the fans of those sports say "No" (Ever fan thinks the reffing in their league is awful, and more than likely out to get their specific team).

I don't see why so many people are so opposed to this, or argue that it isn't feasible in hockey.

Look at rugby as an example.
More contact than hockey, fewer officials, and no fights allowed.
Somehow they've managed to make it work. Why can't hockey?

[cam_calderon]

Somewhat off-topic but might be a fun poll: what is your optimal ratio of skill to physicality in hockey? Mine is 70:30.

[fotze2]

My kid attended Calgary Hitmen camp a couple years ago. Very first scrimmage, puck drops, fight, staged fight, they take off their masked helmets and go toe to toe, total face punching.

It was absolutely jarring, all these parents watching from the stands, first Dub camp, at the dome, eyes full of dreams, could hear a pin drop. Refs didn't step in at all.

It was totally staged as if to say "This is the WHL, welcome to Kansas". Felt like i was watching something that was illegal.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

What happens?
Yeah, game misconducts and suspensions, just like in every other sport that doesn't allow fighting (As far as I know, literally every other sport except lacrosse)

Can 3rd men jump in?
I mean, yeah, they could. They will also be suspended. Cause it's still a fight.

Why do you need better reffing?
Every other sport bans fighting, do they all have better reffing? I'll bet the fans of those sports say "No" (Ever fan thinks the reffing in their league is awful, and more than likely out to get their specific team).

I don't see why so many people are so opposed to this, or argue that it isn't feasible in hockey.

Look at rugby as an example.
More contact than hockey, fewer officials, and no fights allowed.
Somehow they've managed to make it work. Why can't hockey?

I added a bit more to my post. I'm support this but the refereeing has to be better. They can't just let stuff go. There's no fighting in basketball and football because the refs actually call fouls, the players feel protected.

In hockey, in order for this to work, once the whistle blows everything has to stop. No fighting after clean hits, no bumping goalies, no pushing and shoving, no facewashes etc... You can't continuously punch Sedin in the face (as much fun as that was_

Right? In football, a receiver absolutely gets smoked by a hit to the head. The refs call a foul and eject the player. No fight happens, the players trust the process.