CBC-Sports

Hockey Hall did the right thing, in the right way

April 2, 2009 04:52 PM | Posted by   Scott Morrison  

Sometimes you just can't win for losing.

Take the Hockey Hall of Fame, which announced the other day that beginning next year its bylaws will be amended to allow for as many as two women to be inducted each year in addition to the usual compliment of a maximum of four men.

Okay, it is a long overdue amendment, but rather than enduring criticism for apparently taking so long, the Hall deserves applause for making the change.

But that's not all of it.

There are some who are criticizing the Hall for distinguishing between men and women, meaning they believe both should be inducted into the Hall, but there should not be a separate distinction for the ladies.

Wasn't that the problem all along?

James vs. Yzerman debate

Now, the women will be Honoured Members just like the men and the builders and officials, but the provision makes it easier for the selection committee to right the wrong and acknowledge the contributions and achievements of the women.

But why the criticism?

It goes back to the original problem, which if you were of the mind that the ladies deserved Hall consideration, it was extremely difficult, perhaps impossible, to easily vote them in. How, for example, do you make a compelling case for Angela James, a pioneer in women's hockey and fully worthy, getting into the Hall ahead of Steve Yzerman, for instance?

Like we said, James deserves it and will likely be a first ballot entrant in 2010, but it would be hard to say she belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame ahead of Yzerman, or several of the others, such as Brian Leetch and Doug Gilmour, who are eligible over the next few years.

And in many ways, had it happened that way it might have carried the suspicion it was forced. But not now.

Best solution

That's why what the HHoF has done is the right solution to the problem. It's not discrediting the ladies in any way, but it's solving the problem in the best way - making sure the ladies are properly acknowledged and that the men are, too. Does that make the women second-class citizens? I don't see it. No one seems to mind that there is a distinction between player and builder.

Fact is, it is very difficult to compare the contributions on a level playing field. That's reality.

Rather than criticize the timing or the process, let's applaud the HHoF for finally getting women the honour they deserve.

" Previous Post | Main
  •