BREAKING: Massive Rule Change Looks to Ban Fighting in Professional Hockey
In recent years, the debate around fighting's place in the sport of hockey has grown exponentially. Many are concerned that the health risks it poses outweigh any positives it brings, and should be banned across all leagues.
ECHL Set to Ban Fighting
The ECHL, which is an NHL-affiliated league, has announced some massive rule changes coming next season, which all but ban fighting outright.
Any player or players who enter into a fight prior to, at the drop of the puck, or immediately following any face-off during the game, will incur an automatic game misconduct penalty in addition to any other penalties assessed.
The rule seeks to eliminate fights at the start of games or right off of faceoffs, which is where many big fights take place.
The biggest surprise here is that the ECHL is well-known for its gritty, tough style of play. The league is full of grizzled journeymen and hard-hitting veterans, so placing stricter rules on fighting seems odd.
Shifting Mindset
The ECHL is not the first league to ban fighting recently. We reported a few months ago that the QMJHL would be implementing strict penalties for any and all players who fought during games.
While the QMJHL is a junior league, it doesn't change the fact that the mindset toward fighting is certainly changing.
Could we see a world in 10 years where there's no fighting in hockey?
As Seen on Bruins Insider - BREAKING: New Rule To Be Put In Place To Ban Fighting In Hockey
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 6 | 84 ANSWERS BREAKING: Massive Rule Change Looks to Ban Fighting in Professional Hockey Is this the right move? | ||
| Yes | 11 | 13.1 % |
| No | 73 | 86.9 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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