It all started with Jonathan Roy's assault on Bobby Nadeau last spring during the QMJHL playoffs. I don't think I have to remind what happened, from the attack to the episode of "the finger." Gracious, really gracious.
There was no way it would have gone without consequences, especially with Patrick Roy involved. It is time to wake up, people. The NHL legend will get the attraction for us, we have to get it covered. The time is now for whatever decision we want to take; we can't miss this.
And they did not miss it.
First campaign, abolish fighting in the Junior League of Quebec. The Minister of Sports had a very convincing speech that I remember made my week back at the time, "I am among those who believe it won't reduce the interest for hockey."
I bet if she says it again, it will still stun me like the first time!
Then Georges Laraque got the award of the very much appreciated sarcasm of the year, "The QMJHL will change to the League of Ballet Dancers of Quebec and the Maritimes!"
Laraque 1, Quebec Minister of Sports 0!
Fighting has been part of Hockey even before my great-great-grand parents had their first kiss. There is no one in the entire NHL who has no notion whatsoever of a real game brawl. It is tradition. And we don't erase tradition.
And jeez, they even have a hat trick named after that! You don't get the Gordie Howe hat trick if you don't fight. If you don't get your hands dirty, people simlpy call it a two-point game! Anybody can get a two point game; you won't even make the highlights of the night.
I had nightmares thinking about those young men coming to the big league facing OHL graduates, facing Laraque, Eager. It might be better to be a member of the skate-sharpening staff. And still, they might get hurt.
But, my fellow sports fans, it is with great pleasure that I report to you today that the circuit won't abolish fights. There are still real hockey amateurs in there, I believe.
General Managers and Governors have reportedly agreed that fighting itself is not the real problem to deal with. And once again, Madame la Ministre, with all respect, it wasn't even a fight.
More severe sanctions will be surely applied to players involved in much exaggerated "explosion of emotions." But an one-on-one classic glove-dropping between two consenting players should not be completely abolished. Thank God.
It is about renewing a rivalry, the team spirit, even the way a game goes.
The QMJHL press conference will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.
I'll get back to you.
10 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Thomas 10 months ago
fights are what make hockey exciting sometimes. Let them STAY!
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Miah D. 9 months ago
the minister I was talking is in addition a real hockey mom. I dont get where she got the idea fighting wasnt part of hockey.
agreed, it is gotta stay!
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J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago
"Fighting has been part of Hockey even before my great great grand parents had their first kiss."
OMG Miah - that line alone is worth 5 stars!
Then your comment on the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. I sure wouldn't want to go up against you in a debate.
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Miah D. 9 months ago
I am not a big of a debater! dont worry! lol
it is just this whole story almost drove me nuts sometimes. I live right in Quebec and hearing the minister going on and on every day had me really happy that it should be over today!
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Alan Bass 9 months ago
I agree with this for the most part. I think that fighting should stay, because it's so popular. Idk if it's a good thing to have it in the NHL, but still, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Great job, Miah
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Pat Ferguson 9 months ago
fighting is not the problem... you hit the nail on the head here
if they remove fighting, then when people have these 'explosions of emotion' they're going to hit people with their sticks or elbow or something, instead if within the (relatively safe) guidelines of a typical hockey fight
refs break it up if it goes to the ground, you're only allowed 1-on-1 fights, and guys are wearing full protective equipment (until the buckets come off) so what is so unsafe about it? The UFC has fighting with kicking and kneeing and fighting on the ground, how could this minister say it's ok to do that, and not just throw some punches for a few minutes.
Fighting is not the problem, it's kid's attitudes that are the problem, and that's not a problem you can get rid of. Bench clearing brawls happen in junior baseball all the time, basketball fights and football skirmishes are also common in junior leagues, so why try to get rid of it in the one sport that actually has rules of conduct for doing it. People don't always follow those rules, and they should be punished for that (jonathan roy). But fighting is not a problem at all and like a few of you have said, it makes a boring game interesting sometimes, and can really change the momentum of a game, we've all seen it before.
nice article Miah.
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Ryan Burns 9 months ago
hockey fights cannot go anywhere...takes away from the game
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Ron Van Lew 9 months ago
I am all for fighting in hockey. But in instances such as the Roy debacle the consequences and penalties assessed to the team and the coach need to be severe. A fight is one thing but mugging someone with your father as the coach egging it on is another. I hope fighting is never taken away from any hockey. But I also hope in the rare situations where something like the Roy incident does happen lengthy suspensions and heavy fines will detract further attempts.
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Dorothy Willis 9 months ago
Is this minister the reason MMA is unwelcome in Quebec? I just wondered because with all the fighting that was a part of Hockey over the years, I could never understand this.
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Miah D. 9 months ago
thanks guys for all the comments.
sure, hockey fights should not be taken away from the sport. it has been part of it since forever, and it is not like the guys were forced to do it anyway.
I dont think she had anything to do with the MMA though. it is just that she thinks the Roy/nadeau incident went too far, and needed more discipline. with what I totally agree. such things should be punished severely.
but then I guess she felt some momentum, and said the junior league should not be involved in fighting stuffs. then I had a problem coz as far as I remember, we re talking hockey here, and if they want to make it to the NHL, they need to know what is a fight.
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