Have you ever wondered what extra-terrestrial life would think of life on earth if they did some kind of Star Trek-esque reconnaissance of our planet? What would their report on humankind say? Quick to judge, slow to change? Capable of breathtaking beauty and unspeakable ruthlessness? I would definitely include those things if I had to write the report. We are also capable of just amazing, and frightening, utter stupidity sometimes as well. Stupidity that often goes unchecked. Who will forget the fact that this country, Canada, chose to allow people of East Indian descent to wear turbans while serving in the RCMP. What does that say to future generations of Canadians? Keep in mind that this has nothing, and I mean nothing, to do with race, but rather keeping alive those things that make us truly Canadian. We are so willing to give up on things that define us so we don’t piss off anyone of a different culture or religious background. Where are we going to draw the line?
Which brings me to the heart of this rant, is fighting in hockey on its way out? Right now, the powers that be are trying to find a way to end this long standing part of this great game. There is a board of doctors who have gotten together, gone public, all in an effort to hopefully end fighting in hockey. And who did they get to help their noble cause, why one of all time great pugilists, Eric Lindros. What? He wasn’t a fighter? Well surely then he was a great man of the game, setting all kinds of records and being a role model to many. What?? None of that either? Hehehe, I jest of course. Not that Eric Mushyhead is on the board, but rather that he was an influential player in the game. His voice hopefully won’t count for much in this debate. Lindros will, with any luck, be remembered more for his screw ups (which there were a lot) instead of his accomplishments (not many). Which begs the question, who the hell thought this was a good idea? This moron started his NHL career by refusing to play for the team that drafted him, opting to follow his dimwitted fathers advice and hold out. The irony of the team he shunned going on to winning the Cup without him is truly satisfying. Add to that the fact that he finished his career with the same amount of Cups he started with (0) is great, he deserves it. I’ve been waiting to go off on this over hyped asshole for so long that I’m practically salivating on the keyboard as I type this. No joke. And I’m getting wayyy off track now.
Has everyone forgotten why Eric Lindros suffered so many concussions? The reason he got his smucked so often was because he simply never learned to play hockey correctly. When he was in the OHL (and previous levels I’m sure) he was able to skate with his head down all the time because he was so much bigger than everyone else. Don’t believe me? Watch film of Lindros getting cranked. He never has his head up. Fatal flaw to be sure, but does that qualify him to sit on a board whose sole purpose is to ban fighting in hockey in hopes of ending concussions? Holy crap NO!
How many years have we been playing this game? How many hockey fights do you think have happened in all those games? All those fights, and we just now finally have a death directly related to that happening. A random freak accident at that, as far as everyone who witnessed it, including the victim’s father.
The real reason we are having an upwelling of concussions in hockey lately is twofold; players have less respect for each other, and equipment is now more offensive than defensive. If you really want to get rid of concussions, start with these ideas. Harder suspensions for head shots and head hunters, and equipment that doesn’t have hardened plastic edges, like elbow pads. The fact is you can never have a full contact, high speed sport like hockey being played without having some kind of release like fighting being built into game play. You would, in fact, make the likelihood of concussions rise by taking fighting out. Ironic isn’t it?
Random thoughts: I wonder how many women are menstruating while playing in Scotties this week? Does it affect shot selection? I guess it sounds better to call it the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, instead of the Tampax Tournament of Bloody Strings.
This rant is mine. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Without me, my rant is nothing. Without my rant, I am nothing.
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