In Search of Responsibility
David Singleton | Nov 05, 2009 | Comments 0
On October 28, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appeared before Congress to answer questions regarding the correlation of football and sustaining concussions due to hits to the head.
On Friday, October 30th, Allan Muir of SI.com broached the subject of head-hunting in the NHL.
On Monday, November 2nd, Darren Eliot of SI.com wrote a column addressing concussions and other injuries in hockey resulting from hits to the head.
Yesterday, November 4th, Ontario Hockey League Commissioner David Branch suspended Erie Otters forward Michael Liambas for the rest of the regular season for boarding Kitchener Rangers defenseman Ben Fanelii- breaking bones in his face and landing Fanelii in intensive care. Branch broke new ground with the penalty and is having to defend his verdict.
Today, November 5th, Jim Kelley of SI.com, a long time critic of the NHL and Colin Campbell’s brand of discipline, essentially applauded David Branch.
Also today, Al Cimaglia, a colleague of mine with HockeyIndependent, addressed the increased number of injuries in the NHL today with a very compelling article. If you haven’t read Al’s column, please do so now.
Al asked the question “Do players really understand?” Al, the answer is no. That extends to former players at all levels that later in life become coaches, general managers and discipline czars.
As David Branch has learned, many “old-school” people brush off even the serious injuries saying they are a risk to playing the game. They’re right in that injuries are a part of the game- but not these types of injuries. People that brush-off the seriousness of head-related injuries either don’t realize the physical levels of today’s athletes, or they don’t care as long as they are entertained. Some may fall in the worst possible group of people in that they don’t care as long as the money still rolls in. They hide behind cliche’s like “keep your head on a swivel” or “finish your check”. A defenseman that’s been beat and then throws himself in the players head (like Chicago’s Ladd) isn’t a lazy play anymore. It’s just hockey. Somewhere along the way, hockey decided to remove responsibility from its players. They are no longer responsible or accountable for their actions. Occasionally, a player mentions playing with respect, but respect isn’t the issue. Players need to be responsible on the ice. They should be accountable.
As Al does a great job of pointing out, the NHL (and other sports leagues as well), are typically reactive rather than proactive when it comes to safety (of the players or fans). More than likely, it’s going to take someone’s tragic death to potentially cause change. If that’s not bitter enough consider that reform will come not in an effort to prevent another death, but more to prevent future lawsuits.
For sports leagues to change, it will take a leader that can make a decision because it’s the morally right thing to do. David Branch did just that. I only hope that his actions start legitimate efforts to protect the players on the ice. Hopefully, one of those leaders can find their way into the NHL management body as they certainly aren’t there today. Maybe it will be David Branch.
Change will not be easy. Branch and the OHL realized that players and coaches must be re-taught how to play the game of hockey respectfully. His OHL has already banned hits to the head. Until the NHL and its players come to that realization, they must live with he consequences of their actions- both on and off the ice. If there’s one thing I’d do in addition to the equipment changes and rule changes already implemented by the OHL, it would be to introduce an automatic 2 minute major penalty for any of the following infractions: elbowing, boarding, charging, high stick, and any hit to the head. Those infractions all frequently result in head injuries. Additionally, I’d publish a consistent standard regarding suspensions surrounding those infractions. I’d start with an automatic 5 game suspension after earning any three infractions of that type. I’d add an additional 5 games for every infraction of that type thereafter. The suspension could not be revoked, but could be extended at the discretion of the commissioner.
Injuries to the head are serious. Today’s athletes are bigger, stronger and faster than yesteryear’s athletes. Now is the time to be proactive. I hope someone in the NHL has the courage to do what David Branch has done and be proactive in stemming this tide. Make no mistake, someone’s life depends on it.
In my role as a fan, a blogger, and one who would like to coach his 3 year old son in hockey one day, I occasionally think about what aspect of hockey I believe to be the toughest. Seeing these injuries I think I have my answer. For me, the hardest job would be visiting the various children’s hospitals and seeing the pain and suffering in those kids faces. Al, I don’t think the players really do understand. Would they understand, finally, if one of their children had to be hospitalized for a serious injury because a coach for the opposing team of 12-year-olds had a player charge or board their son? Why should kids have more respect for their opponents than so-called adults? I’m ashamed to say that it probably wouldn’t.
*UPDATE*
Another excellent article from a blogger associated with OHLProspects.com. This article goes into the OHL hit and suspension with great detail.
*UPDATE #2*
Bob McKenzie checks in with a great article on the OHL’s reaction to the Liambas hit on Fanelii.
