- © 2004 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Twenty-five years ago the Canadian Association of Surgeons (Western Division), of which I was a member, wrote to hockey administrators condemning the violence that was creeping into hockey. Unfortunately, as outlined by Anthony Marchie and Michael Cusimano,1 the level of violence has only increased since then.
The commentators on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada have, in my view, been partly responsible for this increase. First came Howie Meeker and his admonition to “finish the check.” When youngsters become old enough to play in leagues where bodychecking is allowed, they are urged by coaches and sometimes parents to finish the check — in other words, to violently hit their opponent, whether or not he or she has the puck. Then along came Don Cherry, who seems to emphasize hitting as the most important skill in hockey, with his “rock 'em, sock 'em” version of the sport.
Marchie and Cusimano1 do not address the question of how the interpretation of the rules relates to bodychecking. Professional hockey is about entertainment and money. Thus, in professional hockey and, to a lesser degree, professional junior and minor hockey, referees are instructed in how to enforce the rules, so as not to slow the tempo of the game. What today is accepted as bodychecking would in my time have been called charging, boarding or even intent to injure.
A change in attitude is needed to curb hockey violence. Bodychecking should be curbed by enforcing established rules and dealing appropriately with the violence that permeates hockey and, some would say, society at large. Children do not need to be taught how to give or take bodychecks; rather, they should be learning how to skate, stick-handle, pass and shoot, as well as how to carry and pass the puck with their heads up, to avoid the occasional legal bodycheck.
Let's take the violence out of hockey by enforcing the rules, not by trying to remake the game.
Angus W. Juckes Pediatric General Surgery Regina General Hospital Regina, Sask.
Reference
- 1.↵