Is the hockey fight culture getting out of hand?

[KostasKouvalis]

I was watching the Juniors World Cup and EVERY game there were fights. At first I thought it was funny and entertaining, but then it started being sad and pathetic. I can undersrand having a beef with ONE team, but you fight EVERY oponent you're playing with?

And yesterday, a bunch of 8 year olds started brawling and were going at it for 4 minutes, before someone finally intervened. There are rumors that it was staged for comdedic and shock value, and while I'll admit I was laughing, at the same time, I think this is getting out of hand. Sometimes you NEED to fight to defend your honor and team mate, but in EVERY match and level?

This is the only sport I know that promotes and encourages unsportsmanlike conduct. And I can even imagine a player not saving an opponents life on the ice.

There have been instances where players used the game's leniency towards violence to inflict intentional major harm on players they had personal beefs with.

I always thought it was strange how they allow fist fights, but I wasn't entirely opposed to it, but now this is getting out of hand.

Encouraging it in adults is one thing, but in children, it's reckless. They will probably grow up to be bullies and abusers. Even in the juniors world cup the ref was breaking them up, which annoyed me at first, but after they started fighting EVERY opponent, I think the ref did the right thing, but here in this kid's brawl, no one intervened.

Even if it WAS staged, and I DID laugh, I'm afraid this will set a bad president for children and turn them into bullies and abusers. I blame the NHL and IHF for allowing fist fights to begin with.

[Spencer10]

I played hockey at a fairly elite level until i was 17. I still play hockey as a pastime. Historically fighting was a way that players self policed themselves from cheap shots and protecting skill players from goon tactics. It still has a place in the game. BUT in all my years involved with the game I have never seen anything like what happened here. I did not see my first fight until I was already no longer playing league games. These kids, coaches and adults that just watched and let this happen deserve massive suspensions and censure. The chance for serious injury was very high plus it sets a terrible example for young people of all ages. I would ban both teams and all players for at least a year. Coaches for ever.

[lightbulb27]

yes, for sure.

others sports have gone down hill in ettiquette.

[AI Opinion]

Hockey's fight culture has its roots in tradition, but it's vital to draw clear lines, especially when it impacts younger players. The idea of using aggression for comedic or shock value can be harmful, normalizing violence as an acceptable reaction. Children learn behaviors from the sports they watch and emulate players' actions. Prioritizing sportsmanship, skill, and respect over aggression is essential. Organizations like the NHL and IHF need to reinforce responsible conduct and emphasize player safety, setting a positive example for all age groups. It's crucial to create an environment where skill and strategy, not violence, take center stage. 🏒

[Anonymous]

Things like that happen all the time, not just in hockey but also in football, basketball, handball and many other sports.

[KostasKouvalis]

But in those the refs don't allow it and punish for it

[Opinion Owner]

Yes, that's true, maybe refs should do their job in hockey too.

[Mike_Hum]

I think it's great.