THN.com Blog: Dangerous hit debate targets wrong people
Alex Steen is hit by Francis Bouillon. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Ken Campbell
2008-11-12 10:22:00
Clearly, those who don’t think the NHL needs to do something about hits from behind and headshots think the player who is being hit has a responsibility to protect himself and not make himself vulnerable.
That much became crystal clear when the Finish-Your-Check apologists – many of whom occupy positions of power in the upper reaches of NHL headquarters – tried to rationalize the Tom Kostopoulos hit on Mike Van Ryn last weekend, a hit that earned Kostopoulos a three-game suspension and significant chunk of change.
Fine. If the NHL refuses to do anything about the alarming number of players who are going down from hits that are the result of forecheckers simply doing what they’re told, then NHL players are going to have to brace themselves every time they go into the corners and along the boards. Oh yeah, they’ll have to watch what they do every time they reach for a puck in the neutral zone and they’ll have to make sure not to admire any of their passes either.
Alrighty, then. Let’s just see what those people who think the NHL has become a pansy league think when players start throwing up a bunch of snow in the corner and bail out on retrieving the puck in order to avoid having their faces smashed against the glass.
Let’s venture a guess as to what will happen, shall we? Those players will immediately be referred to as spineless wimps who can’t take a hit and their exploits will be highlighted by the high-collared one every Saturday night. Instead of actually going to get pucks in the corners and against the boards, players will start to turn themselves around to face their attackers and will be roasted for it. Then we can all watch while they get their sticks up to protect themselves, smack guys in the face, then be referred to as dirty, rotten, gutless swines who carelessly wield their lumber.
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The NHL, as usual, has nobody but itself to blame on this one. First, there seems to be the notion that a player can start his check from another zone and finish it by bringing up elbows, arms and shoulders, while going at full speed. And in its effort to castrate goalies by not allowing them to play the puck outside a designated area, it created the unintended consequence of defensemen becoming one with the boards and the glass.
And then there’s that dastardly instigator rule. Of course, it didn’t prevent Maple Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo from immediately going after Kostopoulos and throwing his gloves off. Neither did the possibility that Colaiacovo might step on Van Ryn, causing him a potentially career-ending injury had Colaiacovo lost his footing.
It’s another example of a league that refuses to protect its most coveted asset – its players. The league won’t do it, the NHL Players’ Association won’t do it and the players themselves are either unable or unwilling to do it amongst themselves.
So let’s put the blame on the guy who’s being hit. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Ken Campbell is a senior writer for The Hockey News and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears Wednesday and Fridays and his column, Campbell's Cuts, appears Mondays.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
Steve McCallum (Posted 2008-11-14 22:54:58)
Just one more thing on this. After reading other comments I can't believe these people. Yes, hockey is a contact sport, and a clean body check is a beautiful thing to watch,but dirty hits and play have to be punished. I guess to these people, Canada's World Junior and Olympic Gold medals, aren't really gold, but gold composite, since they were one in games that don't allow these hits and have no-touch icing. These people probably think Steve Moore should be responsible for not protecting himself against Todd Bertuzzi's attack from behind too.
Steve McCallum (Posted 2008-11-14 22:34:33)
I agree with your blog from Nov.12 about hitting from behind. The player doing the hitting should be held totally responsible for his actions. However, I did not like your comment about the "high-collared one". As you know. (or should know), Don Cherry is the one responsible for the "STOP" signs on minor hockey helmets. Also, he is a big supporter of no-touch icing, as am I. It would stop alot of these hits. So, to say he would degrade anyone from holding up on a hit from behind, or protecting themselves from such a hit, is ludicrous. Grapes is one of the smartest hockey people to come along, and although he may be gruff at times, his opinions are bang on. Maybe the "idiots" in Gary Bettman's office should start listening.
Tomas Rudinskas (Posted 2008-11-13 16:29:30)
Hockey wasn't invented yestderday. Why is it that the only major sport in which we constantly debate rule changes is hockey? STOP CHANGING THE SPORT!!!
Is there hard data showing that injuries are on the rise? no. The only thing on the rise in whining media outlets looking for a story.
Hockey is a contact sport, people will get hurt. The players know that, the spectators know that. If you don't like it, go watch figure skating.
Just because someone is injured on a play does not mean a hit is dirty and just because a hit may be dirty does not mean we need to completely change the rule book.
Suck it up, move on, and start writing about something else!
Adam p (Posted 2008-11-13 13:10:28)
Ken,
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. You never, ever should face the boards. Van Ryn should have stayed on his tack and taken the hit, he'd be fine right now. It is the fact that he tried to avoid the hit that he got stapled.
Chris Kazanas (Posted 2008-11-13 07:01:42)
I don't know where you learned to play hockey Ken but when i was learning the game we learned to NEVER go to the boards face first, you always keep an eye on the guy coming up behind you otherwise you deserve what you get. And that was in Atom and Peewee where technically hitting was not allowed.
I am not defending Kostopoulos because he is a Hab or because he is a fellow Greek but Van Ryn deliberately turned his back on the play the at last second, if you are going to be that stupid then well maybe some pain will make you think twice next time.
By the way i don't remember too many guys turning away from a loose puck in the 70's and 80's when there was no penalty assessed for hitting someone in the numbers and open ice hits were encouraged.
Flake (Posted 2008-11-13 01:54:14)
Hockey is a rough sport, and because of the nature of the sport, players get injured whether it's intentional or not and that's all there is to it. Let's all calm down now...
JimmyV (Posted 2008-11-13 00:24:39)
Anyone who blames the injured player is an idiot. Take five seconds and think about what you're saying.
jim (Posted 2008-11-13 00:08:43)
When Brad Marsh the last player to play without a helmet, was in Toronto, he had an injury that required him to wear a helmet for a short time. He said he was never run into the boards as much as he was when he put that helmet on. He was glad to take it off again. There is no need for new rules, just the ones we have need to be called, boarding is not called near enough, nor is charging. Also there is no forearm shiver in hockey, when they get the arms up for a hit it should be called for roughing. It is supposed to be a body check not an arm check. Players are not taught how to throw a body check properly, or more importantly how to take one.
Alan (Posted 2008-11-12 23:19:37)
This suspension is a joke. watch the replay, Van Ryan seen him coming and turned to face the boards. Kostopolus is not a dirty player and you could tell by his reaction that he did not intend to injure him.
Campbell is right when he says that players have to protect themselves, lots of players will do anything to get the other team in the penalty box even if it means putting themselves at risk. You see players turn their backs almost every game going for the hitting from behind penalty.
Would you drive without a seatbelt knowing you could very well get hurt? This is the players attitudes today, take one for the team!
The Leafs must have a Darcy Tucker video to show all players on how to draw a penalty. Suck it up Van Ryan, pick up your teeth and get back to work.
Matthew Carulli (Posted 2008-11-12 22:14:05)
Covering hockey every day, THN has to know that there are better things to write about than headshots and fighting in hockey. That's all we get anymore, and quite frankly it's getting old.
Ktrain (Posted 2008-11-12 22:12:12)
Blame the NHLPA. They refuse to police themselves. If they really cared about the health of the few(in the grand scheme of things) players who get injured by dirty hits, as opposed to the earning power of the rest of their players, they would agree and encourage the league to mandate that hits to the head are an automatic 20 game suspension, 40 for the second offense, and a one year ban for the third. They have too much to lose in income to be realistic about punishing their own members. Until players are allowed to sue each other in a court of law, (If the Steve Moore saga ever ends.), they will play on the edge. Many players rely on the physical nature of the game to earn their paycheques. Aside from Todd Bertuzzi, how many elite players take reckless actions against other players? The only way some of these bozos, ( Hollweg, Simon, Belak, etc.) continue their careers is by intimidating other players. They are paid to make other team's players think twice when they are on the ice. Guys like Mush Marchment made careers out of this. Sadly, this will change only when an elite player is killed.
Nicholas (Posted 2008-11-12 20:20:19)
For all the Leaf fans crying about Van Cryin getting hit, its obviously the Karma Police showing up against your team due to the fact you employ the greasiest, cheapshot artist in the game Hollweg. Stop showing your numbers like gutless wonders and maybe you won't eat the boards. Nuff said.
ted (Posted 2008-11-12 17:24:19)
I normally disagree with Campbell, but he is absolutely correct on this issue and its time for the league to be proactive for once.
jan (Posted 2008-11-12 16:26:50)
Some players don't have respect for each other. Players who make illegal hits, leaving their feet to hit, using elbows for cheap shots to the head should be disciplined (but the NHL can't or won't deal with those situations on a consistent basis.) Some players don't have respect for themselves, either. Players who don't skate with their heads up will get hurt--- age doesn't have anything to do with it(see Tim Connolly-- he wasn't 19 when he was hit during the playoffs a few years ago and missed a lot of games) A player who sets himself up by putting their body in a dangerous position thinking they'll draw a penalty will get hurt. Maybe teams should spend some time during practice re-learning how to position their bodies so they can take a hit as well as give one. But, nothing is going to happen until a player kills another player.
James (Posted 2008-11-12 16:01:56)
I've had enough of people saying Van Ryn turned... watch the replay fools..
from the time the puck was dumped in to the time Van Ryn was hit, Kostopolous could only see his numbers, never once did he see his crest. And in hockey, an often unmentioned custom is that if you can't see the players chest, you have to let up for his safety. Kostopolous knew he was going to hit Van Ryn before he even crossed the blueline, and had plenty of time to let up... Perhaps Van Ryn could have put himself in a better position to protect himself, but because he didn't, its Kostopolous' job to play the puck and not the man in that instance.
Blaming Van Ryn is absolutely ridiculous... You Habs fans seriously have issues. If Kostopolous pulled out a knife and gutted him, you'd find a way to blame Van Ryn
Jim (Posted 2008-11-12 15:37:32)
"NHL players are going to have to brace themselves every time they go into the corners and along the boards. Oh yeah, they’ll have to watch what they do every time they reach for a puck in the neutral zone and they’ll have to make sure not to admire any of their passes either."
What's wrong with that? That's been the standard for 100 years, it's only in the last several years that it has changed. It's a contact game and those seem like pretty simple things that will keep players from getting injured. Common sense actually, but that is long gone from this debate.
Rangers57 (Posted 2008-11-12 15:23:55)
See my Blog on Ryan Dixons blog about this subject, these players don't care, so why should we the fans?
bropete (Posted 2008-11-12 14:39:31)
I'm all for guy's finishing their check's and for letting the opposing player know what's coming when you go into the corners but when a player leave's his feet or lift's his elbows to make contact with the other guy's head it's a penalty. If the player getting hit has an injury due to a DIRTY hit a suspension should follow equalling the time the injured player is out. If it's a clean hit that causes the injury all's fair in this game.
Tony (Posted 2008-11-12 14:35:27)
***********If someone get's killed, guess what, this league is history - it will be worst than the lock-out - which was pathetic (no parent will have their kids at the games - I will stop my season tickets and stop supporting this league - and I love hockey - 45 years of it and still playing today - but now it's a JOKE). Get your head out of your ASS NHL operations.
Something should have been done years ago (at a minimum, something should have been done 2 years ago, when Or-prick of the Pens put that cheap shot on Eric Cole and broke his neck - freakin 3 game suspension - NHL joke). NHL needs to do something NOW. And reduce the fights - sick of hearing these idiots who say it's part of the game (I know that whole theory).**************
Maxime (Posted 2008-11-12 14:20:23)
Well well...this looks like a Campbell vs Dixon articles...Sorry Ken, this one goes to Ryan Dixon hands down. This is the NHL. Contact is part of the game. 10 year olds who start contact hockey are taught not to turn their back to a charging opponent while they are two feeth from the board.
Picard (Posted 2008-11-12 14:14:10)
Just from these little blos, I feel like I am getting toknoe James Finney, and I like what I read from him. Sorry this isn't figure skating, or women's hockey, Mr campbell, but it isn't, and hitting is a part of this game - and always should be, no matter what you softies in the media want to write. Like Finney said, DON"T SKATE IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE WITH YOUR HEAD DOWN - I believe the object of your consistent scorn, one Mr. Donald S. Cherry, refers to them as the area as the trolley tracks for a reason. Going into the corners and bracing one's self for contact is not the same as being cowardly - some of the best players in the game INITIATE contact in the corners, rather than waiting for it to come to them...and this even includes guys not known for their physical play, guys like Datsyuk in Detroit or even Sidney Crosby, for that matter. Do you think its coincidence that its never the cream of the crop that gets hurt like this? With the exception of Bergeron, its only fringe players who put themselves in this kind of position. Coaches should just show some tape of how Jerome Iginla goes into the corners in a race situation, and players will understand what they need to do to protect themselves. I can't believe the biggest proponent of Sissy Hockey in Ken Campell is actually trying to mock how the players will go into the corners, considering next week he'll be hollering again to take the physicality out of hockey. Its a tough man's sport, and the players know that body contact is allowed, so it should be their own responisibility to keep themselves out of vulnerable positions as much as possible. Respect between players has to increase for sure, but this back-turning business has to be stopped as well. And not by NHL rules, for crying out loud, but on the ice, by the players, for the players.
James Finney (Posted 2008-11-12 13:22:29)
"then NHL players are going to have to brace themselves every time they go into the corners and along the boards. Oh yeah, they’ll have to watch what they do every time they reach for a puck in the neutral zone and they’ll have to make sure not to admire any of their passes either"...Um...Yeah, thats part of hockey. You keep your head up or you're gonna get hit. You never admire a pass, you never go into the corners without bracing for a hit, and you never skate with your head down in the neutral zone - those things are taught in pee-wee hockey! Non-stopulous' hit was dirty, and he deserves the suspension (I would've given him probably a 5-game), but Van Ryn knew he was coming and did nothing to protect himself, instead he kept facing the boards so that Konstopulous would have to either take a penalty or back off. It was a cheap way to try and avoid getting hit and he paid for it. There are plenty of players right now who are too sissy to go into the corners or go after a loose puck when they're gonna get hit - Phil Kessel and Marc Savard to name a couple on the Bruins and they piss me off when they do it. Thats why I love Krecji and Lucic - both of them are willing and able to take a beating to make a play, which all hockey players should be. In the end, Konstopulous (sorry about the spelling) should have let up and not hit him full force, but Van Ryn knew that he was gonna get hit and kept facing the boards to either a) draw a penalty when he got hit or b) avoid getting hit. Both of them pulled a dirty play - I'd be pissed if somebody did that to me in a game.
Nicholas (Posted 2008-11-12 13:14:43)
Okay, so instead of having to brace yourself for a hit, or keep your head up in the neutral zone or stop admiring your passes, you can just take the easy way out and turn your back to a forechecking player and hope he lets up in time out of respect ? Please.
These players make millions of dollars to play a game. And if they don't have the testicular fortitude to absorb a hit while doing their job, then maybe they are in the wrong profession. Turning your back to a play is not the smart way to avoid contact, its the easy way to get injured.
And in regards to head shots, how many players get off with a diliberate attempt at a head shot because the opposing player didn't end up in a crumpled mess on the ice, no matter how blatant it was. While a solid , legal check causing injury always stirs up the same old headshot debate. Injuries happen regardless, and if it comes due to a fair hit, people will ust have to realize these things will happen from time to time. But any hint of a deliberate head shot should be delt with by enforcing much stricter penalties. Injury or not.
Joe Legero (Posted 2008-11-12 12:46:02)
I don't really care if they change the game either way, I do think that the NHLPA should stand up and police themselves. I mean when the PA meets don't they all sit in the same room and yuck it up with each other? Showing solidarity for a pay raise is one thing, maybe they should show solidarity and make an example out of people like Hollweg and other major offenders. I mean, I can't really feel sorry for a player that gets injured by a guy who he just passed the salt to the night before in a banquet hall.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-11-12 12:34:55)
It seems many of these players think they still have that little stop sign on the back of their jerseys. Turning your back doesn't defend you from an oncoming opposition player in the big league. Before the instigation rule, players defended themselves and team mates and policed themselves. If players wouldn't use diving or turning their backs as a strategy, they could regain respect & we'd see much better hockey.
Jerry (Posted 2008-11-12 12:16:35)
Since the NHL doesn't seem to want to change anything regarding this matter and the P.A. doesn't put up a stink, should we as fans really care? THN seems to be really pushing this issue online and in there magazine but who are they forcing this issue on? Us. We can yell and scream all we want but it won't change a thing sooooooooo lets cheer for our teams and leave it at that. They don't seem to really want to protect there players (and won't until someone is killed) so really, let it go.
Jonathon (Posted 2008-11-12 12:05:15)
Well Gary Betman is just the devil himself he screwed up hockey. I find he is just down right dumb. I hope he just blames the dangerous players for there dirty work. Him and his divious ways to make everything suck I hope he gets the boot and I hope there is a better NHL commisioner out there.
Ben (Posted 2008-11-12 11:48:03)
Maybe more players will consider KHL an option if NHL don`t do anything.
Ryan (Posted 2008-11-12 11:47:30)
The point is not to blame the victim. It's that there needs to be accountability and responsibility on both sides of the play. Players that are hitting need to be responsible about people in vulnerable positions, and everyone else on the ice needs to be aware of their surroundings. I like to watch a pretty play as much as anyone, but if it comes at the expense of your body position or balance then it's a bad hockey play. You can't continue to contribute to the play if you're laying on the ice.
One of the most ridiculous comments to come out of the hit on Brandon Sutter was Jim Rutherford's comments afterwards suggesting that Sutter was just a "19 year old kid". If a player doesn't have the mental maturity to make smart, safe decisions, then the GM that sent him out there to get hurt was being reckless. You can't fix this problem--and there is a problem--just by levying big penalties on every marginal hit. There needs to be smarter players on both sides.
Can I point out that the omnipresent diving in the game doesn't help? Hits that might look absolutely devastating on the ice are frequently the opposite, while innocent-looking hits do major damage.
Rick (Posted 2008-11-12 10:44:49)
Well said Campbell, right on the money with this one.
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