Hockey Notebook

Why are we still talking about head shots? Why are general managers so reticent to ban vicious blows to the brains of their players?

Back in November, I covered this issue in some detail and proffered my own suggestions on how such wanton violence could be curtailed. Let’s revisit my hypotheses, shall we:

However, something needs to be done about head shots as NHL players have been dropping like flies with concussions in this fledgling season. The safety of players is paramount, along with their intelligence. Concussions have been proven to have adverse effects on mental acuity and, let’s be honest, hockey players can’t afford to be any dumber.

Everyone knows the danger and severity and concussions, but no one at the NHL seems willing to make a conscious decision to do anything about it. Not surprisingly, many of these guys are ex-players, which gives credence to my last point.

In terms of solutions to the head shot dilemma, here’s what I had to say:

To fix the problem in the NHL, forget about making the game less violent. To quote my buddy Brian Burke, “this isn’t ringette.” I think you have to look at the equipment. Players are ensconced in heavy duty plastic from head to toe: it offers too much protection. Guys race around the ice throwing their bodies at opponents with reckless abandon. Not to mention today’s players are so big and fast – it’s a recipe for disaster.

If you soften the equipment (especially shoulder pads), players will think twice about turning themselves into human battering rams. Less vicious hits, fewer concussions, safer playing conditions, better hockey.

It’s evident to me now that the dinosaurs running the game will never take progressive measures like softening today’s gladiatorial-like protective equipment, so I have come up with another proposal.

It’s exceedingly simple and I can’t quite figure out why the head honchos at the NHL are so slow to adopt this measure because they’re terrified of “taking the physicality out of the game.”

Any hit where just the head is contacted, by a shoulder or an elbow, is an immediate five minute major penalty and a game misconduct. A hit that contacts both the head and the body is legal.

For example, Mike Richards hit on David Booth and Matt Cooke’s hit on Marc Savard would fall into the former category. Alex Ovechkin’s hit on Jaromir Jagr in the Olympics would be in the latter category.

It’s impossible to eliminate head and body shots completely and players know there is an inherent risk in playing the game. Accidental blows to the head can occur because of size discrepancies between players, guys not skating with their heads up, or putting their bodies in a vulnerable position.

That being said, the Richards and Cooke hits were cowardly and deserved to be punished severely. The NHL really dropped the ball on that one.

Now, for a feel good NHL note. Chris Chelios, at the age of 48, has been called up to play for the Atlanta Thrashers after playing extraordinarily well in the AHL (plus 35 on the year).

Chelios made his debut in 1984. Let me say it again. He is 48 years old! I don’t think Papa Tewks could do a pullup when he was forty-eight and Chelios will be playing the NHL. It’s no secret how Chelios is able to pull this off as he keeps himself in tremendous physical condition. He could probably give me a run for my money.

I know Gordie Howe played in the NHL when he was 52, but, to me, this is more impressive. Back then, guys would smoke and drink beer in the dressing room after games. They considered offseason training to be a one mile jog on the first day of training camp. Now, guys train all year round and for Chelios to be able to keep up at that age is nothing short of incredible.

I hope he kicks ass. I would love for him to beat the shit out of Patrick Kane at some point over the next six weeks. That is my wish.