Viewpoint

Mr. Downie has just damaged himself far more than any retaliation or suspension ever could.

the Downie hit was excessive and deserved the punishment meted out, maybe more. But Downie is someone who has been lionized in Canada for this kind of play in the past. He was obnoxious in junior hockey (just ask Moe Mantha) and when playing for the Canadian junior team. We need to send the message that his style of play is never acceptable. Otherwise the guy is a hero one day and a goat the next for doing the same thing.

Steve Downie has been used for the good and bad of the Canadian Hockey gods. If he truly needs/ needed anger management classes, why were they not mandated?They could have been instituted at the OHL, Team Canada, or NHL level. Look at his stats naysayers- the kid can play hockey.His temperement is constantly exhibited in his game, a wonderful trait when it comes to others so highly regarded in the NHL. He made a mistake, and not the first one in his hockey career, but to place the blame entirely on a 20 year old who has been handsomely rewarded for his intensity in the past is sad. Maybe the GM's of his previous teams, his handlers- who make money off of him, his post brain injury accident physicians who are well aware of the consequences of the head injury of the magnitude that left him deaf in one ear, maybe they should all look in the mirror before they leave this kid out to hang.And the NHL players who hung him out to dry, he is part of the future of your league, why not help him respond positively to this error,and help your league in the process.I know Steve Downie personally,and can tell you he is devastated by this incident. The massacre of him in the press does not help him in or hockey in anyway. Has he not accepted the punishment? Has he come out in anyway and argued against his sentence? Maturity goes along way- both in Downie's life and everyone elses.

What amazed me most about the Downie incident is how the refs went to the aid of Downie and left the injured McAmmond on the ice. Shame on the NHL and the refs. First priority should be the injured player. They should have let Downie and his teammates defend themselves and got a stretcher on the ice ASAP.

Lucky it wasn't Pronger - he may have got 2 games (think playoffs and iron elbows to the head is just as nasty (similar to a sledgehammer on the noggin). No better way to set an example than to do it with a no name player who may or may not make the team.

20 suspensions! how pathetic it was a cheap shot that couldve ended mcammond's career and come on it happened during a pre-season game it was unacceptable and he should known that i agree with gerry because of the fact that hes young you learn from it and hopefully hell never play such a dumb move the nhl definitely need to do something about these hits they seem to take it too lighty and untill something serious happens i doubt they'll make a move because whatever they are doing is obviously not getting through to them

Scott sums it up perfectly, it was an opportunistic late hit. It ain't right.
Now this guy had better be given the opportunity to learn from this mistake or this will prove the NHL Board of Governors is compicit in this kind of "cheapshot" behavior.
The NHL historically has an abyssmal record of common sense when it comes to regulating dirty play and even more so with dirty players.
The philosophy till late has been the survival of the fittest mentality instead of promoting good hockey through fair play.
Enough said-you don't turn your back on your own. Support all the players involved.

Keep your head up boys and girls, that's hockey.

If it would have been another player delivering the hit, say Pronger or Stevens ( how many guys did he give concussions too? ) people would have said it was a good hit. No one wants to see a player get hurt but the first thing we learn is keep your head up and don't admire your pass.

There was nothing heavy-handed about the leagues' decision, the moment you leave the ice to hit someone there should be an automatic season suspension. There is no room in the league for hits such as the one Downie exacted

Let's hang Downie ,a kid and the real issue is the NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE . You cannot have it both ways ,whether it is Todd Bertuzzi or some other player .
The NHL needs to stand up and make some some changes and lower the temperature between the clubs . After the Colarado and Vancouver situation ,both teams were set up and the nobody whined when the tickets shot off the selves.
Fast forward to Ottawa and Philly and what about the kids career . Make some movement and be accountable. If Downie gets injured ,the league better not disappear.
Bertuzzi was scapegoated by a much bigger issue . And I am a life long fan .
Paul

How many opportunities does the NHL need before they drop the axe? Head shot = life time ban, thats it thats all, end of career, end of story. Oh wait, thats right, we need to see someone die first. Sorry, i'll sit back down.

i thought it was a good hit he dindnt use his stick

How many opportunities does the NHL need before they drop the axe? Head shot = life time ban, thats it thats all, end of career, end of story. Oh wait, thats right, we need to see someone die first. Sorry, i'll sit back down.

Downie's hit was no worse then Stevens on Kariya in the playoffs. If Downie hits a russian like that in the world juniorts he is a god let it go he was a scapegoat for the NHL

Late hit? Marginal. The sensationalism is amazing. Downie's been told all his life that hits like that are the right way to finish your check. I seem to recall last year (I could be wrong) the same thing playing for Team Canada against the Russians and he gets praised by (Canadian) colour guys as a gritty player. What message does this send to the young players - not just the ones eventually going to the NHL, but the ones that matter, the ones just want to play to have fun.

It was definitely dirty, and it warranted severe discipline but then again Scott Stevens made a career out of it and I'm willing to bet that if it had been Stevens and not Downie who threw the check, there wouldn't have been such an uproar. Perhaps looking to the past is not appropriate, but it does take time for attitudes to change and even longer for behaviour. Players, coaches, fans, columnists, everyone.

By far the biggest problem among NHL players, and being led by example younger players, is respect for you opposition. They can pay lip service to it after the fact when they hold a press conference to minimize suspension time, but the real evidence of the level of respect players have for each other is on the ice. It's pretty obvious to me there's not a whole lot of it.

Something to ponder: It seems to me every fight satisfies at least 3 out of the above 6 criteria for both players (Late hit: after the whistle, doesn't get any later than that; Targeted the head: never seen a fight where the fighters only threw body shots; Repeat offender: very few guys fighting are doing it for the first time; Hit to the head: most gusy at least land a few shots.) By these criteria and the yardstick of 20 games for Downie, a fight should at least get a match...

Downie definitely needed to be penalized because, although McAmmond will be okay, if you do not penalize Downie, then you are basically sending a message that it is okay to leave your feet and hit someone in the head.

What if another player gets hit in the head in the future and becomes brain damaged?

For those of you old enough to remember, in the early 1980s the Bruins had a player named Normand Leveillé who had his head hit against the boards during a game in Vancouver.

He was left completely brain damaged. Therefore, if the NHL does not act to stop this type of activity, who knows what might happen to the next player who gets hit to the head?

Downie does deserve this stiff penalty. Just as Scott Morrison mentioned in the article, there are no absolutes in life, but it is better to do something about it rather than have someone perhaps die on ice.

It is no surprise that he was playing for the Flyers, this team's management is still living in the past.

They are still applying the old Broad street bullies mentality of the 1970s. Well, what can you expect from a team that was managed by the likes of Bobby Clarke and now Paul Holmgren?

Tony E. Are you trying to tell me that Dean McAmmond is a star player? I mean, you're actually comparing him to Sydney Crosby? Wow!!

Two points to those unfamiliar with hockey:
1) "Keep your head up" is a cliche that has no relevancy to the Downie hit. Since Maccamond was coming around the net, where exactly was he supposed to go to avoid the hit - over the net or over the glass? The only thing he might have done, as the old NHL warriors did in the past, would be to crosscheck Downie right in the chops, if you want to talk about old-fashioned tough Canadian hockey. To call Downie's hit tough hockey makes a mockery of Canada's game and confuses cowardice for toughness.
It is true, however, that from now everyone in the NHL will know when Downie is on the ice and take extra precautions because of his lack of regard for other players. But if that's what "keeping your head up" means, then the phrase has a completely new meaning.
2) "Finishing your check" is also irrelevant here because the point of a body check, just like a stick check, is to separate the puck carrier from the puck. Once Maccamond has passed the puck he's no longer a target and even a regular hit would be interference.
And as far as Maccamond admiring his pass, the game of hockey requires that you be aware of the play around you, which basically means where the puck is going so that you can get in position. To fault Maccamond for not being aware that a late blindside hit was coming because he was following the play is just bizarre.

You all need to re-evaluate how you look at the game of hockey. That hit is one of the dirtiest hits ever in the NHL. Saying it wasn't dirty is just your way of saying "I'm cool, I think hitting is fun!" well you obviously never played a sport with intense physical contact.

Bad hit. If you don't think it is, then you're just not right. End of story.

The timing, approach, and speed of the hit, something that has been mistakenly included in the analysis of that hit as problematic, were actually, in my opinion, fair. The problem is that he essentially got air born at the point of contact, breaking the rules by leaving his feet, and adding dramatics that make the play much more easily criticized. Yes he did leave his feet, that is against the rules, and it would be safe to say, weather it is a matter of millimeters or centimeters, most of the time players leave their feet, again, just not as dramatically. In regards to the timing, approach, and speed; had he kept his feet reasonably close to the ice, or "on" the ice, the hit would have been 100% clean, McAmmond would have still probably received a concussion, and probably been driven in to the boards, resulting in further injury. Maybe the skill level of McAmmond, who has been knocked out twice recently should also be analyzed.

Had Downie had any concrete reputation in the NHL (ie experience), and had he kept his blades in the ice, I don't believe the hit would have warranted any discipline.

Hitting and physical play are part of the game. Bertuzzi almost kills a guy, and he's still playing. Steve Moore is paralyzed. Dean McAmmond will play again this year. Downie had no shot. He had a prior track record in juniors, and it was just a matter of time the NHL was going to do something. Yes it was a dirty hit, 20 games i think too much, 15 would be fine. He's an agressive, hard-nose player the type of players we admire here in Philadelphia. Yes, he crossed the line, but being banned for life give me a break.

Why make an example out of Downie...late hit no..left his feet yes...20 games for a guy trying to make it NO. Personally, he completed his check and just because McAmmond was watching his "pretty" pass, Downie is labelled a cheap shot artist. World Juniors, he was praised for everything he had done but now that he is a professional, he is a goon, agitator, cheap shot artist...Whatever. He got a raw deal on this

I spent my morning reading the responses to this article and have honestly never laughed so much before 9am in my entire life.

For those posters comparing Downie's hit to a drunk driver, rape, and other extreme attrocities... COME ON.

For those who keep referencing "well, what if McAmmond was your child playing in the minors?" Apples and oranges, people. This is not 'just a game' for these grown men. This is their career. It puts (very fine) food on their tables, its what they enjoy doing! Playing a fast-paced contact sport was their career choice - don't pretend the players are all naive to the possibility of being on the receiving end of an injury.

For those blaming the evolution of the harder-hitting game on helmets, other stronger, more protective gear, Don Cherry's Rock'em Sock'em, etc: If you liked the way hockey was 'back in the day,' I suggest you turn off the TV, stop paying ridiculous ticket prices and take a drive to your local rink and watch an old timer's league. Problem fixed.

I played hockey from the age of 4 to the juniors and let me tell you - missing teeth, sprains, strains, torn ligaments, concussions, serious knee injuries and cracked euqipment; I've been on the receiving end of some of the worst. But I got back on the ice as soon as I could - for the love of the game. No matter how brutal, no matter how cheap the shot.

These players live for the thrill, the adrenaline.. and accept the consequences. Both the injuries and penalties for their misjudgements/actions.

And finally, to the people who are wishing bodily harm to Downie in future games... You are hypocrites. How can you shame a player for injuring another - than turn around and wish injury upon him?

This should almost be a non-issue; considering the penalty Downie has received. Downie will learn from this and McAmmond will continue to make money in the NHL - No one's game is over.

In my opinon there will be no need to ban Downie for life from the NHL. He won't make it. Once he starts playing in the AHL he is going to be a marked man. The other players know he is a hot head, and this will be easy to exploit. I expect more of the same from Downie until he matures. That could take awhile.

As a Flyers fan, Im not going to defend Downie. It was a cheap shot, it was late, he jumped, etc. To say he should be banned for life?? Get real. He isnt the first player to cheap shot someone (see Ryan Hollweg, Chris Neil, Chris Simon, Darcy Tucker, Jordin Tootoo) and he wont be the last. He was given a stiff penalty by the NHL and AHL. He will serve his time and when he comes back, he will still be targeted by other players, so he will be paying for that hit for many months to come.

i know that the NHL is trying to expand there market, and produce some intrest in the american markets, but lets be realistic a team in europe is not the awnser. for such an idea to be plausible a team from north america would have to play 5-10 games at a time in europe, which means there would have to be 3-6 teams over there. there is already a well established europen league, and they probably wont be very coopertative with a new team being institued in there area, and taking away from there market. besides there are plenty of deserving places in north america that could support a team. i think that the most deserving place would be halifax. they proved there detication to the game when the juniors were in town. now many people say that halifax is to small, but they forget that there is the surrounding maratimes that could also help support the team. i am willing to bet if the idea was proposed that many companies and people would jump to the possibility.
now as far as the american market goes there are many solutions to that. i think one thing the NHL needs to look at is supporting the minors. football, basketball, and baseball are all offered as sports in high schools, which starts an intrest at a young age. college football and basketball is broadcasted nation wide by all the major networks. maybe its time to try taking that advertising money that was so poorly spent and put it into things like supporting high school hockey, and getting ncaa hockey broadcasted. lets face it those "new NHL" commercials were a big waste of money.

Your logic is flawed Dave. One too many hits to the head I believe.

Downie has learned an NHL life lesson. He should not be banned. Thats just nonsense from weak kneed indiviuals that do not understand the game. If you look at Downie's history he has also been subject to extreme physical punishment. Did he complain???? No. He took it in stride and pursued his passion for hockey.
However, there is a point when physical force does harm, hockey players cross the line.
The NHL has done a pathetic job historically at regulating unsportsmanlike conduct.
Downie has the heart and the skill to stay in the NHL. He made a mistake, move on as many have done so before him.

Steve Downie was only drafted by Phylidelphia
to be a goon and an intimidater. They know all about his past. Tean Canada used Steve to
bully over Ovechkin as well. Philidelphia
should be fined for drafting this idiot in the
first place.

The NHL is just following the nfl's progress in player disobedience on and off the playing surface and has made downie there scapegoat who was already an easy target from prior transgressions.I agree head injuries are a serious problem but in such a fast paced and physically charged game like hockey you are going to see the trainers out on the ice a # of times throughout the season.If they ever did abolish the physical play i'm sure it would be a fine game,just don't call it hockey.

If every hockey player accused in the past few years in Canada of "leaving his feet" had actually done so, every rink in the land would be a gory quagmire of abandoned bloody bladed appendages! Think about it, folks! Can we hockey fans not find a more logical way to express the notion that one player leapt off the ice to check another? The rest of the world already thinks we are morons, please can we stop sounding the part...

Imagine if Downie had done this to Crosby! What if every team allowed a goon to injure opposing star players during the preseason! 20 games is not enough and the Flyers should be sanctioned too

Thank you,Dave,for your great comments.I agree that there are people on this forum who really should have played the game instead of offering apple vs. orange.knee jerk reactions/comparisons.If you want to see some hard hits and tough play,watch our women the next time they play the U.S.team.Remember,KEEP YPUR HEAD UP.

Sure hockey is a rough game...we all know that already. Hard hits and fist a cuffs are the norm and should be in the NHL. Its what seperates us from the rest of sports. For the 2 guys who can only hope fighting is taken out, how about you find a new sport like knitting or lawn bowling, its seems more your speed.

However what I do have the biggest problem with is the line between hard hits and being stupid. This ridiculous notion that he didn't have his head up so it's too bad so sad it is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. We were all taught to keep your head up when we started playing hockey at a very early age. Its one of the rules you hear the most...keep your head up. But Downie's hit shows another side of hockey....the bad side. Injuries happen...but some can be avoided. Reckless hits like that and people like "Dave" defending the actions of Downie only means we'll see more and more goons on the ice. I can only assume since Dave knows so much about it, he was one of them. Good for you Dave, you played hockey. So have about 50 million other Canadians in the years gone by.

Dave the hockey player, you're right, McAmmond was looking at the puck when Downie hit him. Only problem with your careful analysis is, he was looking at the puck on another player's stick when Downie hit him. To be legal according to the actual rules of this game, a bodycheck must be made on a player who either has possession of the puck or is IN THE ACT of passing it. When a guy passes off on one side of the net, circles behind it and gets hit coming out the other side, this stretch between rule and 'convention' exceeds even the most ridiculous professional sports 'customs' like the NBA's 4 step travel or MLB's double-play relay within 3 feet of second base, if only for the fact that, unlike the other two examples, the consequences of a combined late hit/head shot in hockey has life and death consequences for everyone who plays the game. If I'm diddling with the puck and Dave lays me out with shoulder or hip to my trunk, fair game. However, Kent, if you think you're fair game anytime you're within 3 seconds after passing off or before receiving the puck, I'd seriously like to disabuse you of the notion. 3 seconds, in stride, on skates, will take you almost from blue line to blue line. Are you seriously suggesting that if you dish off at one blue line, Kent, I can launch myself at your head till you reach the other one? All I can say is, where and when???

First of all he shouldn't have been suspended at all. If you watch the videos of the hit from all of the angles and slow speed, you can clearly see that his feet are on the ice when he makes contact with McAmmond, and he does not hit him in the head. McAmmond should not have been coming around the back of the net with his head down. Hockey is a contact sport, and people have to live with it. Downie should have this suspension overturned by an independant arbitrator if that is possible.

Judging by the number of posted responses this is a hot-button topic. The NFL tries to eliminate the subjectivity by publishing guidelines on suspendable and fineable offenses. Isn't it about time the NHL did the same? Here's a few suggestions: 1) Any time your opponent is defenseless (think Bertuzzi, Simon and Brashear or any player with their back to the play on the boards who isn't turning away from the play) it's a minimum 25 games (just an example - the actual number of games can be agreed upon by the NHL and the NHLPA) 2)head shots that result in injury or are exceptionally violent - 25+ games 3)Sticks to the head and spearing 20 games 4) Match penalty offenses - 10 games 5) knee on knee that result in injury - 10+ games. Before anyone gets carried away, I'm only using a hypothetical number of games and I'm suggesting minimums. There should also be repeat escalations of the minimums ie for a second major offense an additional 50% should be tacked on. The NHL could also look at organizational and coaching fines and penalties as well. I don't know if deterrents would be effective but at least everyone would be cognizant of the minimum penalties involved when they do something irrational or ignorant. If the organizational deterrents are severe enough, then self-policing may become a by-product. Another potential benefit may be that having guidelines may take some of the emotional reaction out of the equation and when players see a teammate laid out they can estimate the potential penalty to the offender immediately, perhaps reducing the need to retaliate.

I am in full aggrement with this new ruling
on the hitting in the head area. It is something that all players now understand what will become if this type of action. I love the sport and this type of play will not be tolerated. Hats off to the NHL president
Mr. Bateman

First off, anyone that thinks that the only problem with Downie's hit was that he left his feet, are complete morons and should have THEIR head checked. He has played this way his whole career and he finally got caught on the grand stage that is the NHL.

Not only did he leave his feet, he targeted his head, he didn't have the puck, and I don't care if he's a repeat offender in the NHL, he is a repeat offender period!

And for those of you who spew the words "you have to keep your head up", did you actually watch the game?!? Do you realize how little time he had from the moment he passed the puck on one side of the net to getting creamed on the other side, travelling as fast as he was? Maybe a split second, maybe enough time to move your eyes from where you just dropped the pass to look up and see what was coming?

Downie knew what he was doing. He just had been layed out, by a clean hit, and was looking to exact revenge on the next poor soul. You can tell in the replay by the way he looked down at McAmmond and had a grin on his face. That is until the calvary showed up.
All I can say is that if Downie has served his suspension and is called up when Philly plays Ottawa this year, watch out. Like McGratten said, "he's a dirty player and he'll get his". I can't wait. I love when little cowards get what they deserve.

P.S. Downie was a Bobby "The Goon" Clarks draft pick if I remember correctly, his type of player through and through.

Anyone wonder why Canadian teams are over-penalized in international play? Anyone? It's because of crap like this. Downie had the perfect opportunity to perform a clean, hard hit but he decided to stick his elbow out and drive it into McAmmond's head. McAmmond’s head was down, yes, and he should have expected a solid body check for it. The operative word is BODY. Downie couldn’t have done more to hit McAmmond’s head. To say that this suspension is too much because past players have been given too little does nothing to progress the game. Just because someone made a stupid decision in the past doesn’t mean we are bound by it now.

I’ve read at least two posts that suggest hits like this are a legitimate part of hockey strategy, to “intimidate” our opponents. It is this line of thinking that keeps hockey a punch line for American comedians and keeps Canadian players squarely in the crosshairs of every international official today.

First of all, it is not out of character for Downie to go head hunting because he has done it numerous times in the OHL. He was looking for a permanent job with the Flyers and this was one way that he would get the team's brass to notice him and brother he did accomplish that in spades. Downie can play hockey and not be a goon because he showed us his skills by playing for Canada in the Junior Worlds. Throwing the book at him by the NHL was necessary and if he gets back to the NHL in the future he had better keep his head up.

20 games is good for a first infraction. A lifetime suspension would be ridiculous especially when Todd Bertuzzi is still out thier skating. If Downey is ever foolish enough to perform a cheap shot like that again then a lifetime ban would probably be appropriate.

Everyone should scroll up and read the comments of Dave, the former hockey player. His logic is flawless. He speaks from experience and his ability to critically think this through is a skill that is lacking nowadays. Absolutely everyone on this board should read his comments.

Now let me get this straight. The die-hard hockey fans (including the concussion-addled ones) who have contributed to this space are saying that's it's McAmmond's fault for keeping his eye on the puck instead of the freight train headed his way.

So ... if I'm walking along the street and some goon blind-sides me, with a clear intent to injure me, it's my fault? If a woman is attacked on the street and raped, is it her fault for walking in a provocative manner?

Come on, use your brain guys, or what's left of them. This kind of hooliganism will get you tossed out of a football game or tossed into jail in real life. Which is where Downie should be, not on the golf links for the next 20 qames.

"it's hockey it's rough"??. That was as cheap as it gets. If that was your kid getting hit like that you'd want blood, hockey is a rough sport but where do you cross the line into malicious. I would say right there.

He is an idiot right from his hazing days. Those actions showed complete lack of moral character and it's people like him that continue to give hockey a bad name. For those who say " keep your head up "or what ? You face permanent injury -- it's only a game, after all. Is it worth that ? He should never be allowed to play again.

I have maintained all along that the protective equipment development has not kept up with the NHL game.
Bigger, faster players with bigger shots (thanks to better skates and sticks) have resulted in more head injuries.
It's time for the NHL to realize that one-piece body armor that covers the neck and head area is what is required to save players from being maimed and/or crippled.
Making Downie a scapegoat is a bandaid sol'n. This is hockey, not figure skating--wake up NHL!

It was an rough hit and the punnishment was acceptable for the hit... good job Colin.

To start, I would like to point out the fact that Downie's hit was not late. Three seconds after the player passes the puck has been the rule of thumb for years. The hit, however, was dirty. Downie left his feet and jumped up, a very dangerous thing to do. Twenty games...about right. I'm a big fan of hits, but I understand the need for guidelines.

Now for Bertuzzi. He was brutally over-punished for what he did. All he did was give one cheap shot to the back of the head. It happens all the time in hockey, normally going unnoticed/unpenalized. At worst a roughing call is given, I believe that is all that should have happened in his case. I've seen dozens of similar cheap shots since the Bertuzzi incident, all of which were unpenalized/unnoticed. If the NHL is going to set a standard on this sort of thing they should show some consistency. The NHL has to stop punishing by severity of injury incurred and start punishing players for their actions only!!

Fighting was also mentioned above. Fighting will never be eliminated from hockey...fighting is a part of the game. When the media mentions taking fighting out of the game and the NHL issuing bigger penalties for it, I get very frustrated. The whole idea is crazy. If the NHL wants to survive, fighting needs to stay in the game. It draws almost as many fans as goals do. I get dissapointed when I see a game without at least one good scrap in it. Fighting will ensure the longevity of Hockey especially in the US. Just look at the how much UFC grew in popularity in the last 5 years. It's violent and it's brutal! Fans love it and I love it! A good fight in hockey can also get your team into the game, change the momentum. Hockey without hitting and fighting would be like a game of basketball...athletes go one way either score or don't...go the other way either score on dorn't and thats it! Not very exciting is it?

The "hit" was wrong.

The NHL has issued a sanction. But wait, Mr Downie has been sent down, like many players his age, to gain experience in the minors...and there he will receive another sanction...or will he...or should he?

After he serves sanction 2...upon call up sanction 1 will apply...why call up a guy who is going to immediately serve a suspension?

One has to ask how professional hockey, the union and the like haven't already got an understanding in place for such a circumstance? An offender should be given a reasonable way to serve a sanction (someone in NHL with a law degree could advise)?

Then again, given the current state of the great game, should we be surprised?

Steve Downie made his first big impact in the NHL. And the Philadelphia Flyers are probably rubbing their hands in glee.

So he got a 20-game suspension. Big deal. The Flyers now have what every NHL team wants. A player that will intimidate other teams by his sheer presence on the ice.

You can bet any team that faces the Flyers when Downie is in the line-up will be playing with caution. Players will be worried they could potentially wind up in a wheelchair or worse from a vicious Downie hit.

Of course Downie won't attempt any violent sidewipes until his intimidation factor starts to wear off (which could take 3-4 years). Then he'll strike again. He'll get another 10-20 games but the Flyers will be able to hang on without him.

Intimdation is a big part of the NHL game. And Downie knows that's his meal ticket in the league.

Scott makes a good point. You can't say that Downie should be out as long as McAmmond, because concussions are worse every time, and so Chris Pronger is indirectly responsible for at least part of the time Dean will miss. And yet, he only got one game (he should have been out for 3, MINIMUM).

Hockey is a rough game. If McAmmond would have had his head up it would never have happened. He had lots of oppertunity to see Downie coming. Downie may be somewhat of an idiot but as a rookie he has to make an impression. He did that.

"i dont see why he got suspended, its hockey its rough. deal with it."

Look yourself in the mirror, please. If your child is struck by a drunk driver should we just 'deal with it' because, let's face it, there are drunk drivers out there?

Intent to injure is not hockey, its what is ruining the game for those of us that cherish it.

For the people that think that was a clean hit
Did you actually watch that game ? how can you possibly say that that hit was clean. Downie skated in from the straight in from the blueline straight and bee-lined right for McAmmond and he launched himself at his head and drove him into the boards. Yes I agree that Dean was watching his pass, but the intent to injure was certainly present. You couldnt even get away with that in a Rugby game. Its Ignorance like that the ends the careers of great players. Pronger and Cam Janseen should get 20 games next time and Downie should get a life-time ban.

As a long time hockey player who no longer plays because of concussions, I say this. You all sound like people who never played hockey before. When I was growing up, we were taught keep your head up, or pay the price. Dean Mcammond was CLEARLY watching the puck, not the action. The NHL is now to start penalizing people for hitting people that have their head down? Well, why wouldn't everyone skate around watching the puck and then no one could get hit. I know I got hit with my head down, and that caused me some concussions, but that was my own fault I would have down the same thing to those people watching the puck, and did in some instances. Did he leave his feet? Sure, but not as bad as the replay looks, alot of that was because of momentum. Did he come in from the blue line, sure, but watch the replay, he coasted into the hit which as the rules say, it wasn't a charge. All those people who say there was intent to injure, come on, unless you were in his head you don't know what his intent. Was his intent to run over? Hit him as hard as possible? Absolutely. But when was the last time a hockey player's intent to "bump" someone gently. I know when I got a concussion, I was upset someone hit me really hard, I was upset I had my head down. Intent to injure..how about the inury was an accident. What are you people are going to say when someone hits with a pure clean check, and they fall and and bump their head and die, should that person go to jail? Kick them out of hockey? Or even worse...someone trips another player, and that player hits his head and dies is there Intent to injure then? Am I saying I would enjoy seeing either of those scenario's? Obviously not, but I am saying you people are hanging Steve Downie for hitting someone excessively that cause injury. Injuries happen, hockey is a rough, if your not prepared to potentially get hurt, don't put the gear on, stay off the ice. There is a risk associated with it every time you do.

Again,the basic rule in hockey,Keep your head up and the hit never would have happened.I still maintain that there have been worse hits and cheaper shots that never drew a penalty.Watch closely this year and see for yourselves.It always seems there are different rules for different people.

Steve Downie did not get what he deserves. He deserves more. However, the NHL has a bad reputation for letting those who break the rules to go ahead and play after a slap on the wrist. We all remember big Todd don't we and he is still playing. It is great to see the NHL taking a stand but take more of a stand someone is going to get killed if we let guys like Steve Downie return to the NHL. I am a junior hockey trainer and am anticipating helping someone onto a stretcher after a hit like Downie laid out.

What bothers me is the fact that people are saying that McAmmond's career is at risk, and that Downie is entirely responsible for it.

To that end, alot of people are calling for "an eye for an eye" type suspension, where you're out till the person you hit can come back. That system will never work, because of the cumulative effects of concussions!

Downie played a part in McAmmond's concussion syndrome, but not all of it.
Remember Eric Lindros? Or his brother Brett? Both suffered numerous concussions, but can you pinpoint the "one" that caused the most damage? The "one" that ended Brett's career?

The brain is tricky, and the slightest knock can cause alot of damage, it's often not the intensity of the trauma that determines the outcome, but the history.

Downie's inexperience led to that hit, and he's been punished. Let it go, and let them play!

When there is injury from an intent-to-injure play, the offender should start his suspension on the date that the injured players returns to the ice.

downie is an idiot, the sens are going to be looking for his head!

I understand emotion and getting caught up in the competitiveness of sport but play by the rules of the game, play tough and physical, and be prepared if you do break the rules you will be punished. Hockey is a great sport and a great job for those who get paid doing it but they always have to remember, the next morning, get up and go to work and show some respect for your colleagues. Steve Downie had intent to injure by throwing a high leaping check and paid a price. Dean McAmmond on the other hand, will not be admiring his passes so much anymore, and be more aware of his surroundings.

20 games is certainly deserved for this type of hit, however, the NHL's criteria for levelling a suspension requires attention not the suspension itself.

They are clearly recognizing that illegal late hits are a problem, but, according to their checklist if the hit does NOT result in injury it doesn't warrant the same suspension.

Penalties should be levied at the action, not the result. If Dean had not been injured would Downie have got 20 games? No. Would he have even got a match penalty? Probably not. Would the hit have been any less dangerous or illegal? No.

Clearly the NHL is more interesting in looking like it's doing something about it's dangerous hits than preventing them. Injuries like Dean's are far less common than the illegal hits that result in that type of injury. Punishing the behaviour pending the result is no way of dealing with the problem.

Thankyou Don Cherry...you and your "Rock'em Sock'em" videos and your constant appreciation of grassroots goon hockey has led to this type of incident. Believe me, I watched as kids in the 90's who were glued to Hockey Night in Canada to watch the next fight or big hit, so it's no surprise that kids like Downie think this style is there ticket to the "big show".

Quick comment...Downie's career is screwed, before it even started.

I think that Downie deserved the suspension that he received for his hit on Mccammond.
The trouble is that with the NHL it all depends on who does the hitting and not only the severity of the hit.
If it had been Daniel Briere that had made the hit, I wonder if he would have received the same punishment as Downie. Based on the leagues past performance, the answer would be no.

the NHL should be a league where a young player tries to make an impression and get noticed by scoring goals...the NHL needs to make goal scoring a priority! Fans want to see goals scored. A player who can't score was invited to camp? does not make sense.

In thousands of games,played by thousands of players,there will be thousands of body checks every season.Of all of those,there will be a few,probably less than a dozen,in which the player,either through maliscious intent,or just poor judgement,crosses the line.
League officials make sure the offending player pays a price.As do the rest of the players in the league.
If you can't get used to that,perhaps you might be better suited to lawn bowling,or needlepoint.

As to Bertuzzi,I think Greg Schmidt missed the mark.Whether the punishment was sufficient,I think,is a somewhat subjective matter of opinion.
However,to suggest Bertuzzi lost "nothing" because his suspension overlapped the NHL lockout is laughable,at best.And,a complete mis-representation of the fact,at worse.
His suspension,while in fact did run consecutively with the lockout,it did not run concurrently.It included play-offs that preceded the lockout,and,in fact,was probably the single biggest factor in his teams poor performance that year.Until his suspension there was good reason to believe his team would do very well in the play-offs.Additionally,I would suggest,in fact,that Mr.Bertuzzi's career has yet to recover.
He may be playing,but he has never regained the level of prominance he once enjoyed.And personally,I doubt he ever will.
Perhaps we might adopt a more effective method of discipline for players who cross the line.Say,perhaps,death by a thousand cuts?? Or maybe stoning in a public place would satisfy those hungry for some kind of revenge??
And,as to "anonymous",I guess I should expect his perspective from the bleeding heart side of Toronto.But if you want to watch that Europen crap they call hockey,go for it.They don't do a lot of body checking there.Just a lot of diving.And,oh yea,spitting in your face and whineing to the referees.
Give me a break!!!

Suspension?
How about a lifetime ban?

Then Canada's national sport will be properly respected at home and abroad.

Until the NHL takes fighting and improper hitting out hockey by kicking out players who risk others and make the sport look like the WWF, I will continue not to watch.

Abroad when people ask me what is Canada's national sport, their reaction to my reply that it is ice hockey is 'oh, that's the fighting sport with men on skates... it's like pro-wrestling right?'

Too bad such a great sport is still holding itself back.

Richard

I agree with those people who have mentioned that a player that injures another player due to an ILLEGAL hit, should not be allowed to play again until the injured player can play again. Anyone who thinks that this would take the hitting out of hockey, are kidding themselves. Most of us who've played hockey has been at the receiving end of a powerful, totally legal, bodycheck.

I think there is a lack of respect by some players. What I consider late hits such as the Downie incident and MANY of Scott Stevens's hits (no matter what some people might say), ARE a lack of respect for their fellow NHLers. What benefit does it bring to the game? I suppose when Stevens took Kariya out for a few shifts, that helped out his team.

I would agree with all of you who say the players better keep their heads up, because there are some players out there who simply have no respect and will hurt you if given the chance!

The differences between Bertuzzi, Pronger and Downie. Bertuzzi hardly missed a game. There was the lockout and he didn't lose anything. Pronger was caught 2 times during the playoffs and still managed to play most of the games. Downie gets 20 games in the NHL that he'll probably never see. I wonder if Downie was a household name like Bertuzzi or Pronger would he have gotten 20? Or more like 5?

RESPECT...for your self, for your teammates, for the referees, for other people. The NHL, and male hockey, in general, currently is played with a lack of respect. I firmly believe the suspension was warranted and sends a strong message. However, more change is needed. Our minor hockey players learn behaviours, in part, from watching NHL'ers. The NHL is the only professional sport where verbal abuse of referees is tolerated. It is the only professional sport where fighting is tolerated. Such behaviours in pro basketball, football, (both of which are also very fast sports involving a lot of body contact) and baseball are immediately and severely dealth with.
I think hits like Steve Downie delivered to Dean McAmmond are the direct result of hockey players growing up playing a sport that tolerates violence and disrespect. We could learn a lot from watching women's hockey, pro basketball, are pro football where fighting, and verbal and physical abuse of referees simply aren't allowed.

20 games is a lot, but I like it.The NHL says
they have to eliminate head shots by getting tougher and they have to start somewhere.
Unfortunately for Downie it starts with him.
I would like to see a 3 strikes you'r out rule. eg. 20 games 1st offence; 40 games 2nd offence; and 80 games (near a full season)for
the third.Maybe a year for each violent offence after that.Would pretty much eliminate the worst offenders and put every one else on the alert.The question is would
the NHL be consistant.Would it be the same for a star player as for say someone like Steve Downie? Would they have givin Pittsburg
Crosby the same penalty? Would they be same at
beginning of the season compared to the end or the playoffs? The NHL's trac record (integrity?)has not shown this.If it comes to $$$
with fans in the seats and rich TV contracts
the NHL will probably sell their integrity.

Im from Windsor, and I have been watching Downie play for the spits for a while. He has always been really tough. nothing against Dean Mccammond, but he had his head down. Everything was clean, besides downie leaving his feet. That was the problem. He eleminated the body from the play, doing his job. But leaving his feet was a big mistake. I do not think that a 20 game suspension is reasonable. Two players in a half a month from my minor bantam team of broken their wrists v.s the same chatham team because they had their head down. There was no call on either of the hits, even though they were dirty. Is the safety of children not important anymore?

A check is a check.
A flying check, when the target player is out of the boards and moving towards the line, is a hit. The intention was to hurt, to make an impression to the bigger and older boys that he is one of them. But he isn't: not in a long while.
Downie got lucky with the 20 game penalty.
Only result now is that when he gets off the penalty and starts playing in the league he will have made himself a target -- and this could last a long time.
Bring back the hockey of a long time ago -- skating, skilled puck passing, strategy, smarts. The gentleman's game.
It's this kind of idiocy - in play for the last 20-25 years -- that turned me off Canada's game.
Soccer and cricket are more entertaining.

hey Bob, will this suspension stop fighting in the NHL? I guess we can hope so.

I hope the NHL continues its strong opposition to unacceptable violence. Downie should be suspended.

To that end Brian McGratton should be fined for his post game comments regarding his future plans for Downie. The Senators should also be fined for saying nothing regarding the threat to Downie. Does the team condone violence? Did the Canucks not send the same warnings to Steve Moore, prior to the Bertuzzi attack? I hope the NHL isn't waiting for a repeat before taking a stand against pre meditated violence.

Dean McAmmond may be out for the rest of his life, and Downie gets 20 games.

I need someone to explain to me how this is fair.

Lyn - some say the hit will guarantee his spot on the flyers roster, no matter how roundly condemned.

Seriously, people! We ALL know Downie has been scape-goated here! His hit was nothing more than dozens laid out by guys like Scott Stevens who got no suspensions but plenty of praise! Just watch the hit Stevens laid on Kariya a few years back in the playoffs -- people cheered that hit, but it was late, deliberately intended to injure, etc... This whole Downie incident is just more NHL hypocracy!

To Barry in the States who wonders if fighting will eventually be taken from the game:

Here's hoping.

20 games is fair. Downie has been a goon from his earliest days in junior hockey. There's no place for this kind of stuff in the NHL and I wouldn't want Downie to be seen as a roll model for any kids.

It's a positive move in the right direction by the NHL. Players are people, people have rights, and those rights need to be protected. If this scenario were similiar to one on the street, the result would be the offender being charged with assault, if the intent was there.

Lets send a message out to up and coming players, and existing players, that this conduct is severe, and should be met with harsh conditions.

I applaud the NHL's decision in this case.

Something very fishy here folks. If it was a Pronger would he have received 20 games? If he did receive 20 games would the owner have had a complete fit over the suspension or would he have sent a Pronger down to the minors. I am sure the owner of the Flyers was made aware of and took part in the process as he had nothing to lose by sending this none NHLer to the minors. Something really stinks about this whole situation. Warning to all NHL hopefuls -- you could be a scapegoat. The Prongers, well 5 games at most.

Yes there are those "before and after" athletes. But every single professional athlete playing a physical sport knows there is an element of risk as soon as they get into the game. If they're worried or scared about what may happen to them, they should find something else to do with their life.
I have no problem being the first to compare this to any of Scott Stevens's great hits while he was in the league. Many of his big hits occurred when the opposing player had just passed the puck, but was stupid enough to keep admiring his pass.
"Yeah, but Stevens never left his feet!" I can hear you saying already.
Stevens also is 4 inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than Downie, who barely left his feet anyways.
I know the NHL is attempting to crack down to limit these situations. I'd just ask you to pause and think for a bit about the plays you may have applauded in the past, before you put the noose around Downie's neck.

Any bets that Downie's NHL career is over before it even got started?

Will fighting now result in 20+ game penalities? 1. The victims are often vulnerable and hit in the head. 2. Fighting, almost by definition, involves late hits. 3. Players who fight are usually repeat offenders. 4. Players who fight always target the head. 5. Players who fight lauch their fists and themselves at their opponent. 6. Hits often result in injury.

The Downie hit served no purpose. It did not help his team get the puck or defend against a goal or even score a goal. It was just a hit for the sake of a hit.
I am all in favour of body checks if the play warrents it either on offense or defence.
This hit was totally unnecessary and could have resulted in serious injury to the other player.

Wow. Twenty games.

It would be fair to say I'm shocked - that the NHL decided to suspend Steve Downie for that length of time. I kind of figured that if Downie got half that amount it would have constituted a major step forward for a league that generally doesn't like suspending people.

Now, let us not confuse shocked with disappointed.

I truly believe that the NHL needs to take a strong stance on head shots.

So, if this is the dawn of a new era where head hits are going to be dealt with more severely in the NHL, well, that's just great. And even though the sentence is double what I thought it might be, it would be kind of hypocritical for me to say it's too much.

But by setting the bar so high with this one, I do fear the NHL will fail to meet expectations going forward.

In many respects, Downie is an easy target.
- He has never played an NHL regular season
game.
- There was some question whether, suspension
or not, he would have been on the Flyers'
opening-day roster.
- He has a reputation for being a bad boy on
and off the ice.

In fact, as an aside, have you ever heard a player so heavily criticized by fellow players in the wake of an incident as Downie was by NHLers this week? Todd Bertuzzi and Marty McSorley didn't get piled on by their NHL brethren like Downie did. Jason Blake suggested he should be banned for life. Players from across the league threw Downie under the bus like no player has ever been thrown under the bus. It was mighty big bus.

Targeting or stalking a player? Check.

Launching himself? Check.

Unsuspecting victim? Check.

Late hit? Check.

Causing injury and/or intent to injure? Check.

Hopefully, NHL players will take note of what appears to be a changing landscape on the issue of head shots.

In addition to the suspension handed out to Downie, there should be a further deterrent--in addition to the 20 games handed out by the league,if the injured player was unable to return after 20 games the suspended player should have to remain out until the injured player reurns to playing status.Procedures and physical exams could be set up by the NHL tp prevent a team from deliberately keeping the injured player off the roster in order to prolong the suspension .

Downey's hit merited a suspension. However how do you square 20 games against the one game given to Pronger in the finals last year for what was, in my opinion, a more flagrant foul against the same head. The NHL will be taken more seriously once they have developed a system of discipline which is focused more on the deed and less on the doer.

Only one more thing I would add, applicable to all dirty hits.

If your victim is injured, you're out until he can resume playing, and only then do you start serving your suspension.

An eye for an eye!
You injure a player intentionally, you sit out for as long as the injured player sits out. And if it happens that the player never returns to the game, such s the Bertuzzi incident, then I guess you'll have to find another league to play in. There's always Europe.

The point is, why should a player sit out 10, 20 or 30 games and then return to palying the game when the injured player sometimes never comes back to the game.

Hats off to Art from Newmarket. Hockey's no game for chess masters but there's a difference between tough and mean. Downie's mean, he showed that in spades in Windsor and virtually every other place he's touched down in. The guys who still think he's a prince of a guy for doing what he did should get their heads checked (pun intended). It's a game, not a battle for life or death.

Violent, punishable offence. Possibly. But we are dealing with a league that will not eliminate, yet somewhat endorses, the-closed fist punches to a player's head as a result of fighting. If the competition committee truly cares about the health and well being of the players they need to tackle all issues of violence in their sport.

I have no problem with the punishment dealt to the young rookie Downie, but will this level of suspension be across the board? What happens the next time a player gets hurt by a "star" - will he receive the same? Will Pronger be sitting out 20 games in March when he takes out someone and Anaheim is trying to clinch a play-off spot? I will have more respect for the NHL when they show they are willing to treat all players equally.

Not stiff enough. The whole season would have been more appropiate. The NHL still doesn't get it.

The facts are the facts ... NHL and players agree to crack down on "head shots".

McAmmond admires a pass - and pays the price. Anyone who has played hockey knows this is the wrong thing to do.

Downie sees an opportunity and acts, does what is defined as wrong - and pays the price.

He knowingly hit a guy in a vulnerable position with an elbow to the head and at 5'10" left his feet to get there. 20 games, case closed, game over.

Violence like the kind perpetrated by Steve Downie against Dean McAmmond must be removed from the game of hockey... not just the professional sport, but the recreational game as well. While I see a variety of comments below (contributed by apparent hockey players) that defend violence and praise such behaviour as macho and manly, I am amazed that hockey players wouldn't be more cognizant of what this type of violence can actually do to a player.

If we just think about it for a moment, we can probably all think of a "before-and-after" athlete that we know. "Oh, that guy was such a great player before he was injured a few years back. He's never been the same since." I know a fellow who took a bad hit a couple of years ago. Now he can't play hockey at all, he suffers with constant pain, and even his ability to earn a living has become a challenge.

I don't see how anyone can purport to care about the game of hockey without caring about actual hockey players. These are real people who are being injured, and these are real lives that are being compromised. For what? For some goon's perception of what it is to be manly!?

I've been an Arena Maintenance Person[ Zamboni operator] for quite a number of years and I've seen a lot of hockey, some of which included junior A, Triple AAA midget and bantam,and the Little NHL [native hockey league]. These hockey leagues are pretty rough and tumble hockey,espescially the little NHL, but in all my years working at the arenas,I have never seen such a deliberate attempt to injure another player like the one Steve Downie did to Sean McAmmond. Now don't get me wrong, I love the checking and even some of the fights these players get into... It's part of this great sport we call hockey, but when a player decides he is going to take out another player for nothing more than making a name for himself, then I beleive there is a serious problem. Downie didn't do this for the team, He did this to make himself look good[or bad,depending on how he looks at this].We all know that he has a lot of talent but unfortunately he will be remembered for this hit[Does McSorley or Bertuzzi ring a bell] I think that the management for the Flyers need to ponder on what it is they are looking for in a hockey player,because Downie,I beleive is not that player.Dirty playing has given way to finesse and the game is better because of this.

Slightly late hit. Not sure he left his feet from the replay, and how can anyone be sure he intented to injure. I agree totally with Jimmy in Austria....if it were a Czech, or Russian laying on the ice...everyone would have been saying nice hit.
Downie gets 20 games and Bertuzzi 27. The NHL is a total joke. They used Downie to lay down the law. I wonder if Dion Phaneuf was the guy that gave the hit, would there have been 20 games.

While I feel bad for McAmmond, it is his job to keep his head up. It is the same all over the world and the same here in Austria. Hockey is a team sport where if you spend even half a second admiring your passes, you pay the price. And unfortunately for McAmmond that is exactly what happened. Downie is 5'10", 192 lbs, but he plays like he is 6'2, 220 lbs. He is a little guy in the land of giants. As soon as he starts playing smaller and letting up on his hits, this is the time he will get injured. I know this.

You all loved him when he starred in two World Junior Hockey Championships. But now you are casting him aside as a piece of garbage. If it had been a Russian on the end of that hit, you would have been talking about it for a week at the office and at school! Try aguing that point!

Canadian hockey is the best in the world because we have the edge in every category which was proven in the recent Russian 8 game Junior series. Most importantly, every country in the world fears playing us becasue we are more mentally and physically tough than any other country when it comes to hockey. We wear opponents down until they can't take any more.

Downie is a true and tough Canadian hockey player who deserves better than this for the two gold medals he helped you win as a Canadian!

I feel bad for McAmmond, but if we as Canadians let up on our intensity and desire, we will be like every other European team, and on that point we can expect to lose many international games in the future. They would simply love it if we left our Canadian intensity at home.

And Canadians wouldn't like that I am certain!

Jimmy in Vienna, Austria

i dont see why he got suspended, its hockey its rough. deal with it. he got owned with that hit though, thats real canadian rough hockey. are you people scared of a little body contact? he should be punished, it was a great hit, shame he got an injury from the hit though. good stuff

Downie is just a product of our societal ways. This guy, like most Canadian up and comers, are put on a pedestal from a very early age. They are given accolades of how great they are, and that anything they do while playing the great game of hockey is OK! The tougher, the meaner they are, the more we like them. Yes, this kid was put on our National Team to represent Canada, not once, but twice. His behaviour had already been documented many times by then! So now we poo poo about his vicious hit. Yet, we congratulate these guys if they do it to a Russian or a Swede during international competition! Does Bobby Clark ring a bell. :)

Rough, hard-hitting hockey is one thing, but Downie's full-tilt run at McAmmond was disgraceful and infuriating. Anyone who calls this incident a 'good hit' or 'part of the game' has an incredibly warped sense of what hockey has been and should be. And the notion that McAmmond deserves even a shred of blame (for watching to see the outcome of his pass, apparently) is simply ridiculous. Without a doubt, the league did the right thing by condemning the incident and suspending Downie. They need to set a precedent that actions such as this tarnish the game will not be tolerated.

Any one who thinks that was a clean hit, and that Downie should go unpunished is a fool.

Hopefully, the next person to be on the receiving end of a similar hit is Downie himself.

Perhaps if it ends his career he'll learn a lesson, and all those who think this hit was clean will be rethink their position.

Very well written up, hitting on the finer points that need to be considered for those still not getting it e.g. no absolutes, but it will help curtail the number of incidents or this necessary measure will not take the physicality or good hits out of the game. At this point going forward I'd rather see grey areas in stiff penalites than pathetic slaps on the wrist with tragic endings. Bottom line, this is about respect for another player, another human being.

At Peter D.... it was NOT a great hit. Were you there? Probably not if you are from Vancouver. Downey took a LONG run, full speed ahead to make the hit (40-60 feet at full speed depending on who you talk to).

Great hit? No. Intent to injure? Yes. Go to youtube.com and look for videos of Downey and you will realize someone like him does not belong in the NHL.

I played hockey for most of my life and hitting obviously is considered part of the game - you gave, you took. But there is such a thing as good judgment, and taking a run at a guy blindsided and leaping at him like he is a target to be maimed is not hockey, it's stupidity. Yes, there are emotions involved and we do things without thinking, but this is getting carried away. As noted, will it take a death for the NHL to put its foot down and consistently hand out harsh punishment?

I see some great input for the debate. Quite frankly I love Downie's game. I can sense the passion in his play and the heart he gives to the game. I would ask Peter D and those who share his opinion to reflect on the circumstances surrounding the hit and the intent behind the action; not only the action itself when considering Downie's hit (much like the law would). I think this is an important moment in Downie's development as a player and a man that can set him apart from the goon squad. And I encourage the NHL, like maynard, to up the ante for those who are oblivious to respect and quality play, come the next illegal headshot.

it seems to me that the more you dress up the players with almost lethal helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads etc: the more you invite them to take liberties with sticks and nasty hits.

if all this protection makes you feel invulnerable it is almost inevitable that exuberance will sometimes turn to outright viciousness

He sucker crosschecked a teammate in the face in Jr.and then was chosen -as one of Canada's
outstanding young men--to represent his country in world jr. championship tournament.
An appropriate penalty at that time --loss of spot on team--might have curtailed his attitude that intent to injure is acceptable.As long as coaches and management
are willing to have loose cannons on their
teams,don't expect dirty hits to go away.

Someone will wake up when 1 of the players is left dead on the ice from a head shot. There was a lot more respect when there were no helmets worn. I think the NHL needs to pull their heads out of their asses and start being consistent, this might curtail the incidents from becoming a regular event.

Twenty games, feels right, next time it happens, and I regret that there will be a next time, double it, no matter who it is, maybe then we can watch hockey not violence on ice.........

hmmm ....late hit ...not sure watch replays, also guys thinkin they can waltz in off the wing, then dump it befoe skating around the net are in for trouble ..... anywhere near the net expect your head to come off...that's HOCKEY

What a joke!!! 20 games suspension for a great hit. It's a two minute penalty for leaving his feet and that's it. If players would quit admiring their passes from behind the net like that they wouldn't get hit so bad.

The next thing is to make cross checking a major, especially to the back of the neck.

Those of us who have watched Downie's rise to the NHL since his days as a foward with the Peterborough Petes were not overly surprised of his actions in the recent exhibition game.
One of our local commentators stated that it was a bad check and that McAmmond suffered a concusion but he had had a number of previous concussions as if this was a rational explanation.
Yes, it was a stiff penality but it may serve Downie well. He is young enough to learn something positive from this experience to save him from a future disaster and is almost a guarantee for a future career in the NHL.