NHL development league to ban fighting
Fighting has been part of the game of hockey since the sport began. No matter what level of hockey you've played at, you know that tempers flare and that sometimes boils over into a physical altercation. Over recent years, leagues have worked to limit fighting.
Now one major junior league has made the decision to ban fighting entirely. According to The Hockey News, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League plans to ratify a new rule this June that would ban fighting completely.
The QMJHL had previously cracked down on fighting by electing to attach a 10-minute misconduct to every fighting major. This was intended to try and deter players from dropping the gloves, but it hasn't been as successful as the league had hoped.
A spokesperson for the league provided the following clarification:
The QMJHL is planning to have a rule in place that will ban fighting, making it black and white that it is no longer a part of our game. The punishments have not been decided as of yet. We will be looking to have a rule in place in June when the next general annual assembly of the members of the board of governors takes place.
The league has yet to determine a punishment for fighting, but previous reports claim that punishments could include match penalties for both players involved. There could potentially be an exception clause, which would allow a player to defend themselves if any other player was considered to be an aggressive instigator.
The league has been rather quiet on the matter, but has not written off the idea of suspending players for dropping the gloves. This push by the QMJHL was pushed forward after a Liberal MP pushed for the league to ban fighting, but threatening to withhold funding from the league.
Hopefully this isn't the beginning of the end for fighting in hockey.
|
6 hours ago | By Tyler Ball Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch gives an official update on Connor McDavid's injury |
|
8 hours ago | By Tom Banks Edmonton Oilers Superstar Connor McDavid Departs Game With Apparent Injury |
|
10 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Important Update Revealed Regarding The Health Of Devils Prospect Filip Engaras After Scary Injury |
|
12 hours ago | By Tom Banks Matt Rempe Shares His Reaction To AHL Demotion After Being Recalled By The New York Rangers |
|
13 hours ago | By Tom Banks Flames' Nazem Kadri Slams Officials Over Controversial Slashing Call That Cost the Game Against Jets |
|
14 hours ago | By Tom Banks Toronto Maple Leafs Make Shock Lineup Change Ahead Of A Meeting With The Undefeated Winnipeg Jets |
|
15 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Flames' 2021 First-Round Pick Frustrated by Veteran's Ice Time as Agent Hits Back Over Recent Benching |
|
18 hours ago | By Julien Trekker New York Rangers Make Surprising Move With Matt Rempe after Horrible Display in the AHL |
Previously on Bladeofsteel