Blog: The NHL Needs to Wake Up and Stop the Violence

I've been sitting here in front of my computer trying to think of a softer, more writerly way into the subject of violence in professional hockey. But now that drops of blood are beginning to appear on my forehead, I might as well just come out and ask the direct question: What the hell is wrong with those idiots at the NHL?

There's something about the culture of this league - not the sport, the league - that is simply out of touch. Question a player, coach or league official about the prevalence of violent hits away from the puck, and you're likely to hear a dismissal of no-check, European-style hockey - even though your question wasn't about checking at all. Decry the fistfights, the roster spots taken up with "enforcers," and they'll call you a wuss and tell you that fights are an essential aspect of the sport. Lately, they've told their more-concerned fans to kiss off. Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau had this to say to protesters outside Montreal's Bell Centre: "If you don't like it, don't come to the games."

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