You can't ban fighting in junior hockey

I would never do this normall..I like Don Cherry. I also like David Suzuki. Mr. Cherry said that politicians (on one hand) should not foray in to the world of junior hockey because they never coached or played at this level. OK. I could ad ask Ken Dryden what he thinks but I won't...

However, Don Cherry then implies that he is more qualified than Suzuki to speak on Global Warming (now more commonly called climate change)which has been proven. Does Suzuki say "what does he know he never worked the labs or coached in the labs." He could if he followed Cherry's logic.

I would like to hear the two men debate on both subjects on the air. I am quite certain the two would put on a great show. Don has a big heart and I am sure he would agree that everything about that power reduction exercise during the game was win-win for all. How was hurt by this exercise.

Perhaps all of this could be solved by having the two men highly regarded by Canadians as the recent Greatest Canadians contest iron out their differences - I know both men care about people. I am not knocking Cherry I just want him to realize that many people hang on to his every word and those same kids he advises in a positive way about respect can also help mom and dad out by recycling or taking a bus - just my take on it...

Again, I am not one of those guys who knocks Cherry just because he says what he feels - just see him and Suzuki as alike in that they stand up for what they believe in - I just Cherry as a guy who could actually help out. I also don't mind his support of our troops - all of these things can be linked and balanced in life. Hell every time I go to a live game I quote Cherry "Anybody who misses the pregame warmup is an idiot." He is right and no pun intended :)

Al

Fighting in hockey is an expression of a lack of talent.

I prefer to watch a match where intelligence and talent is expressed instead of one where fighting is shown. Fighting is good for WWF or Boxing !!

Although you hate to see a guy, especially a nice one like Alfredsson, get hurt but I suggest the Ottawa fans watch the replay of the hit by Chris Neil on Chris Drury.

I understand full support of your team is what makes you a fan however, why is that Neil's hit is good ol' hockey hit and Bell's a dirty one! I believe both were clean hits and players of Drury and Alfresson's calibre should know better.

Although you hate to see a guy, especially a nice one like Alfredsson, get hurt but I suggest the Ottawa fans watch the replay of the hit by Chris Neil on Chris Drury.

I understand full support of your team is what makes you a fan however, why is that Neil's hit is good ol' hockey hit and Bell's a dirty one! I believe both were clean hits and players of Drury and Alfresson's calibre should know better.

Last night Cherry crossed the line with Habs’ fans everywhere. He had no right to be make the remarks he did with regards to Alexei Kovalev. Prior to the game, Kovalev was presented the Canadiens player-of-the-year award and received the sort of standing ovation from the capacity crowd of 21,273 at the Bell Centre usually reserved for legends of the storied franchise. Indeed, Kovalev has done everything that has been asked of him this year, and more, and Cherry had no right to bring up what in my opinion was no more than a media witch hunt last year.

With regards to Cherry’s outwards bias towards the Leafs, this too is in poor taste.
As a commentator for the CBC he needs to give credit to the Canadian team that did win. Why could he not say something positive about the Habs at the end of the game? They finished first in their division and first in scoring this season. They were first on the power play all season. They could be first in their conference if Pittsburg loses tonight. He works for Hockey Night in Canada, though it should be he who is paying the CBC to appear on there. How about praising Canada's Premier Team in 2007-2008? He couldn’t say anything about the Habs last night. He just wanted to talk about McCabe battering Stewart at the end of the game and then he nattered on about the Leafs.

As for the Leafs, in my opinion last night they showed the country what they are made of at their core. When McCabe swung his stick at Gregory Stewart’s groin in the last seconds of play when not only the game but the Leafs’ season was over it was defined very clearly who the Leafs were in that moment. They are bad sports, poor losers, dirty players, stick swingers and cross checkers. They became all of these things in the final minutes of the play sitting at a 3-1 deficit, their season over four games ago.

Dear Ron, I disagree with your distaste for the Canadiens' raising their sticks following their game against the Leafs tonight. While you saw it as rubbing their victory in the noses of their opponents, I thought it was a classy way to say thank you to all the fans who have supported them. I doubt the Leafs would object to this expression of thanks to their fans, and would not take it as an insult.

I don't think Don was being completely fair to Matt Cooke in his comment that cooke was nothing but at a cheap shot artist, Vinnie Lecavalie is one of my favorite players and I hate to see him injured but he was making a play on the puck and was hit by a shoulder. I thought Bell's hit on Daniel Alfredsson was a cheap shot coming from a guy in a full head cage. I watched Cooke in Vancouver take shots and big time hits from much bigger players having to stand in for pinky (19) and the sisters (22 &33) because all three are cream puffs.
On the hot stove room it was mentioned the Bobby Lou (1) was great friends with Ollie Y from Fla and the Nonis made a play for him at the deadline but Fla wanted the sisters (22&33) in exchange. Nonis thought the price was to high. If I were Nonis I'd have thrown in Pinky (19) and would have been happy gaining 2 stones in exchange for 0 stones. one fans opinion in Chilliwack

I have great concerns about the response of the Toronto fans, the Toronto players and the Toronto coach to the hit by Mark Bell on Daniel Alfredson.

I believe that most people do not take glee when someone is seriously injured. Apparently, that it not the case with many people who attended the game in Toronto on Tuesday night. Do they regret their reaction?

I would be interested in a comment from CBC HNIC about the Toronto reaction and specifically the statement by the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who said "there should have been more such hits by the Maple Leaf players during the season". How many such hits would be the right number. Would it be one per season, one per month, one per game, one per period, or more.

I believe that hits to the head (intentional with the intent to injure) should be severely punished, and effectively removed from the game. I agree that hockey should remain a tough physical game, but I disgree with the vicious hits to the head with the intent to injure. I think Scott Stevens should not have been lionized. He should have been put in jail.

I would also be interested in a comment from CBC HNIC on the reaction of the Ottawa Senators to the hit on Alfredson. Was scoring 6 more goals in the game a good, sufficient and suitable reaction? Should someone on the Senators have removed the cage from Bell's head and seriously injured him? Should the Senators wait until next year for retribution?

Why is it that we do not condone fighting in school grounds or in society at large and yet we continue to condone fighting as "part of the game" in hockey? I would much rather see a showcase of hockey talent during a game as it better demonstrates the skill required to play. With all due respect to Don Cherry (and other supporters of fighting in hockey), fighting demonstrates not courage nor honour and certainly not skill but the lack thereof and a deterioration to the lowest common denominator in hockey. Let's remember that hockey is not war but a game. The game needs to be structured in such a way to allow skilled players to play without the threat of a dirty check or worse. As great a game as hockey is, it could be even better if fighting and dangerous checking were eliminated and replaced with fast, inventive skill on display. Clearly this would lead to fewer players able to play at elite levels and cut into the business of hockey, but that is another debate for another time.

The good news is that three Canadian teams up, and the bad new is that three teams down. So, it is over.

Let's cheer for the Canadian teams in the playoffs. Wish them all the best, hopefully, we can get the cup this time.

once again the toronto maple leafs did not make the playoffs,part of the problem it seems to me that they can never keep the same players around enough. plus i like matts sundin but he isnt taking this team anywhere.even though im from detroit i faithfully watch hockey night in canada every week, my heart goes out to the maple leaf fans who are just as loyal if not more than the red wing fans.wouldnt it be great to see toronto and detroit inthe stanley cup,well maybe we will see montreal and detroit!!!!

Pat Roy was and likely always will be a hothead. He played that way and now he coaches that way. I just hope he never gets rewarded for it by naming him as a coach to any team represetning Canada at international events. He does not deserve it. However,having said that, you cannot outlaw fighting in hockey in juniors or at the prefessional level. Prime example of why. The dirty cheap shot on Alfredson on Thrusday night by a guy wearing a mask on a team that ws going no where. The hit was dirty. Even if he didn't have the elbow up. It was dirty because it had no effect on the play and it could only be seen as a cheap shot by a dead beat going no where that was out to hurt the other team's player. If fighting were emliminated we will only get more of the same. Sad thing is with the rules now there really is no fighing in the league except for the orchestrated matches that start off after face offs.

Folks,
Let's us cheer for the leafs lost the season again. Why? this kind of dirty team is not deserved going to the playoffs. This team is way too dirty, from couch to a lot of players. You can name them !
They are not in the playoffs, it is good for hocky, good for the fans and good for the kids watching hocky !!!

i think what happened was unfortunate and there is no place in the game for that kind of behavior,but you cannot take fighting out of hockey, you do that then they will be using there sticks instead of there fists.its part of the game and i agree with don that you cant let politics interfere.

Now My Comment...Its unfortunate that Hockey Night in Canada chose to give any more attention to Patrick Roy.While Patrick was a Hall Fame player, as a Man he is a Hall of Fame idiot! Its a Shame that the apple does fall from the tree afterall...To See a Hall of Fame Human Being like Ted Nolen get raked over the Coals in the past while Patrick continues to receive support from some members of the Media is disturbing.Instead By choosing to cover this story which gives Canadian Junior Hockey (the best sport in the world)a Black Eye you completely Missed a Story which shows the world the beauty of Canadian Junior Hockey in its finest form...The KNIGHT before your broadcast a MAN who has devoted 38 years of his life to Canadian Junior Hockey with minimal natonal media attention and in so doing has impacted the lives of literally thousands of young Men from the players to coaches to trainers to Fans etc etc etc..Retired.He was offered the chance to go to the NHL 3 times and declined the offer each time showing the dedication for the sport he loves .NOBODY exemplifys the best of what Canadian Junior Hockey is better than this Man.( no offence to Brian Kilrea who has received thousands of accolades over his 31 years )I have some hope that Hockey night in Canada will right this wrong But very little hope that the CHLs Leadership which has ignored this story all year long will get there act together any time soon??? P/S-To the Windsor Fans who have had a Good but Tragic season I,d like to thank you for the Class you showed in honoring this Man in his last game in Historic Windsor Arena recently.I was blown away considering how you mercilleslly heckled him for so many years during what was once truly one of the best most vitrial rivalries in the CHL .Keep your heads up Windsor Fans the Memorial Cup will come your way..If you still don,t know who I am referring to than your not True Hockey People..DO THE RIGHT THING!!!

This is to answer Vince Piperni's concerns. Hockey is a hard nosed game. It is so fast and has so much body contact, that tempers will always flair. Believe it or not, to unload any frustrations, fighting is the answer. Once a fight is over, the infraction, that led to the fight, is buried. Should fighting be banned, bad feelings would continue to fester and all sorts of stickwork on hands, shoulders, lags and other body parts, as well as kicking with the skates, as is the practice all over Europe, would go on. These are infractions that really can hurt a guy, while in a fight you may get a bloody nose, but you will be able to continue playing shortly after the fight. You generally will have a minimum of 5 minutes to recouperate. And NO TOUCH icing must come to stop forwards from running defenseless defensmen into the boards.

I agree with the no-touch icing but not as Don Cherry does. There's a solution I believe that no-touch should refer to the players and not the puck beyond the goal line after the official signals (yells preferably)icing. This way both the League and the Don Cherry's out there can have their cake and ICING too. This way the competitiveness will still be there with the risk to the player eliminated or diminished. The referee should call an interference penalty on a player who plays the man an not the puck once the icing signal has been called.

Mr. Cherry, again your wisdom is right on the money. Your words, as always, cut to the crux of the matter.A ban on fighting will bring out more than violent aggression, especially in young players. It is a hard pill to swallow for a young man to take a beating and be expected to turn the other cheek. This translates into a recipe for disaster.As long as the fighting is well within the unspoken guidelines of sportsmanship, as shown by the pro's, and adhered to a point for whatever reason can be made. Thank You for your great candor and wisdom.

I believe it an economic fact is that if fighting is removed from the game attendance at the gates will certainly suffer which is not good business and yes Jr hockey is a business.That being said I believe and we have all witnessed the game can be played without fighting (international World Juniors)however those players generally are the best in the world for skill and ability for their age. Most junior players will not play pro so a scrap is part of the entertainment and the game however the Roy meltdown really can't be compared to a fight as much as an attack so why does the league not address it as such leave fighting alone and take attacking someone that obviously did not want to engage
out of the game with suspension that is a deterent like 40 games or if the player is a 20 year old in his final year

Of course fighting can stop altogether in all leagues, as long as the NHL sets the tone.
As a former soccer referee i would like to say this: When a soccer player spits in the direction of a referee, because of a miscalled decision, the player gets a Red-Card, and will be punished with a four-week suspension. now in hockey, the punishments are far too weak. my solution is as follows:
The instigator of a fight on the first occasion--is punished with a ban for 1/2 of season, on the second offence--he gets banned for two seasons, and on the third occasion--banned for life. (And that includes coaching)
My wife and I occasionally see WWF, and it was funny to see, that a Hockey-Game broke out.

Don is always right, politicians... keep away from hockey, leave it alone. Fighting/scrapping has always been part of hockey, we don't need politicians or non-hockey fans to start suggesting changes to our game. 10 years ago, we would see highlights or news from UFC, now it is on regularly. We don't need a basketball-like hockey.

Although fighting gives a black eye to those who are not familiar with why it happens in our sport the truth of the matter is that without it liberties would be taken with opposing teams talented players. fighting keeps players honest and as archaic and backward thinking as it may seem there are many sports that use a lil more self policing. it may sound ridculous, it may harm how the game is seen by the huge american market but hockey without fighting would turn into no more than guys taking liberties that they otherwise would never take because they do not fear any on ice reprecussions from an opposing tough guy. keep fighting around, if anything though it would be nice to see a newer breed of tough guys who still has the ability to play teh game at a high tempo and contribute with more than just his fists, players such as chris neil come to mind. one thing the league CAN do without are the derek boogards and brain mcgrattons of the NHL.

The coach is right once again! When your a team you are essentially a family and you gotta be there for each other. Good and/or bad. We must ensure however that we have the proper coaching for our future players/citizens. There are lines that you don't cross. If theres any chatter from below your southern border, do me a favor, please disregard as look what WE did to this great game. Thanks

Football doesn’t tolerate fighting. Soccer doesn’t tolerate it. Neither does basketball, baseball, nor rugby. Or any other team sport for that matter. I’m reading your comments, but something’s not clicking. Please, help me understand… why does hockey need fighting when all these other team sports have been able to keep it out of their game? Please don’t be too quick to reiterate that hockey is different, and that fighting is good for the game and for those players too fragile to protect themselves (think of the quarterbacks who are well protected against the 350+ pound defensive tackles). I suggest to you that fighting is good primarily for the blood thirsty fan (and player) who get a nefarious turn on by seeing other people get hurt or be hurt. It is unfortunate that a truly GREAT sport like hockey (which requires so much skill and athleticism to be played at the elite level) has so many of them.

Hello Don and Ron,
Please consider what I'm about to write and maybe even use it. I was watching a game and the commentator said that all the fans want more scoring and Gary Bettman seems obsessed with it, so I decided to do a little investigating and I found a site called NHLFA (National Hockey League Fans' Association) and they do questionnaires every year and ask nearly 30,000 NHL fans about the league. Only FOUR percent of these fans said that they thought more goal scoring would improve the quality and marketing of the game in the United States. That's a sample of 'all the fans'. Give me a break! Also, most of the fans are in favor of getting rid of touch-icing! Does Gary Bettman just live in his own world and make up these stats, then gives them to the networks to become the official party line, regardless of what fans really want??? The NHL is an old-school Communist dictatorship which silences any criticism (has ANYBODY ever read an article on NHL.com that questions the NHL and its policies?) and decides for itself what is good for the game and its fans. How long are we going to let Gary Bettman supply additional income to his NBA franchise buddies by taking northern teams and moving them to cities where his NBA buddies have teams so that they can supplement their stadium revenues with NHL games? (That's something the head of the EIG (Edmonton Investors Group) said on the radio last week, although he did not insinuate that Bettman is doing exactly, that's just me). This is becoming ridiculous when a vast majority of the fans (I'd say 30,000 is a really good sample) support fighting, abolishing touch-icing, and playing in the Olympics at 83 percent, 52 percent, and 66 percent, respectively. Please, educate people on what fans want because you're the only guys who seem to say it like it is. Thanks for your time.

I've played hockey for over 20 years. I've watched it for at least as long. I'd be one of the ones who think fighting is both stupid and a necessary part of the game. Hockey players take such liberties with one another (and they play with such intensity they frequently don't think about what they're doing). So, you got certain players (fighters) on the ice to help keep players accountable because the refs do not always call it like they should to keep the game safe. The Fedoruks, Boogards, etc. have a role in the game.

The issue is violence in hockey. Fighting is very visible and to some looks bad, but when two people square off injuries are minor. Look at the stick work in hockey since they restricted fighting. A lot of it goes unnoticed and is accepted. Players must now wear visors because high sticking is an acceptable part of the game. If a player didn't he would quickly be blind.

Ultimately it comes down to the referees calling all the penalties to keep the game under control. It would only slow the game down while the players adjust to playing by the rules. The referees could learn a thing or two by watching their conterparts in lacrosse.

Cherry's comments were ludicrous. Fighting should be banned in jr hockey... It's not acceptable behaviour for kids in society or in any other sport other than several 'elite' hockey leagues. I fail to understand why this behaviour is praised in the context of hockey ... what message does this send to these kids? (i.e. it's OK to cheap shot a guy like Roy did or Bertuzzi did?) And don't tell me that's the violent nature of the game ... football is as violent or more so and there are skilled players there too ... yet how often are there high school / junior football brawls (rarely) ... why? because the consequences = ejection as well as the loss of respect by your teammates and opponents. In fact, watch the great football hits and you'll often see high-fives between the two guys afterward... There's respect and sportsmanship built into the game. Honestly I think a lot of these pro-fighting hockey guys are venting their own aggressions and failures through these kids.

Don, I am a great fan. I agree that noone will ever be able to remove fights from hockey, and as such the government should just stay out of this and let the hockey world regulate itself. A good fight is part of hockey. By definition a good fight involves 2 willing parties. This was not a good fight. It showed nothing but cowardice on Roy's part (both Sr and jr).

Patrick Roy may have been a good player, however he never was one to demonstrate or embody greatnest or class (from the way he behaved, the way he reacted, to the way he spoke ...). Growing up with such a father (example) has probably greatly (sadly ) influenced his son . Because Roy (senior) apparently has never instilled basic values such as respect and class in his son, it is difficult for Roy (jr) to behave properly, however Roy (junior) is an adult and must pay for his mistakes. I feel the sanctions imposed were way too lenient...I doubt very much either of them have learned anything....

Fanning the fire in support of fighting in Junior Hockey will eventually result in the use of leftover hockey sticks as the fuel in the bar-b-ques utilised on the parking lot of the arenas .Tell why a five -seven game suspension is considered as sufficienet [ie] Roy etc. when an event on the street would warrant a six month jail sentence?
A longtime Hockey fan who now enjoys the University games sans Fighting.

Don, love your support for our troops, it's easy to feel your emotions and sincerety.
Next topic: From a tree hugger who shut off the lights and played poker with her kids at the kitchen table (had a blast), do you think that Toronto's weather woes may be a spin off from Mother Nature's pain? Or is Mother Nature (with her evil sense of humour) just spreading the cold and snow around to show Southern Ontario what we deal with every year? Sorry, you don't know winter at all. Dr. Suzuki gave us a laugh "watch the game!" so "hockey warrior" should support "environmental warriors" as well.

I often disagree with Don Cherry, but I respect his knowledge of hockey and I have to say that I have learned a lot from him over the years. I was very disappointed by him last night. Not over hockey violence, with which I have serious misgivings, but with his irresponsible and disrespectful attitude to Environmentalists. Whether or not we agree with these people they have had the courage and honour to take a stand and make a mark. I should think that Mr. Cherry would see that as an example to follow, not something to ridicule and dismiss. It may be a cold winter, but it is not a normal winter, and I suggest that Mr. Cherry should perhaps stick to hockey where we can all respect his opinion.

Don Cherry took himself down a notch by challenging the concept of global warming on national television armed with the scientific data that "it was cold this winter". What to say about that?

Don't get me wrong i love Don Cherry and when it comes to hockey he is pretty much always right. which is why this is a disaster...

If i didn't know hockey but i know what i know about science and the devastating impact humans have on the diversity of life on this planet, and the incredible problems that this will create for life on this planet... catch the drift? So you hear him deny "global warming" then you may think what he says about hockey is equally erroroneous. which is not the case.

I love Don Cherry, everyone does. But his view on suspensions is pretty ridiculous. I dont' know why it matters how long a victim is out for when determining how long the perpetrator should be suspended for. Suspensions exist in order to keep people from hurting others. It doesn't matter that Chris Simon didn't injur jarko rutuu. He could've. If Simon didn't miss any games just because rutuu didn't, there'd be alot more incidints in the game like that and someone would get seriously hurt.

Don I'm a die hard fan of yours but dissapointed you never mentioned the Sudbury Wolves, you said you played Windsor and Barrie but never mentioned our wolves. Are you embarrassed, they had a bad year we know but we love Don Cherry no matter what.

Bring back the NHL showdowns....like in the 70's...I use to love watchin that as a kid....in betwwen periods...the good ol days...