Violence in ice hockey explained

Violence has been a part of ice hockey since at least the early 1900s. According to the book , in 1904 alone, four players were killed during hockey games from the frequent brawls and violent stickwork.[1]

More modern examples of violence include brawls, bench-clearing brawls, fighting, fan involvement,[2] physical abuse of officials and deliberately injuring opponents. Violent actions such as kicking, hitting from behind and prohibited stickwork, are penalized with suspensions or fines. Fighting, or fisticuffs, is also penalized but is considered by many hockey enthusiasts, particularly in North America, to be quite distinct from stick-swinging or other violent acts. They regard fighting as an entrenched, acceptable and integral part of the game.

On the ice, referees may impose penalties for prohibited activities. Off the ice, the National Hockey League (NHL) sometimes fines, suspends or expels players. The criminal justice system has also occasionally charged and convicted players. As a result, hockey has become much more regulated and the violent element much more controlled. This has been aided, in no small part, by dramatic increases in disciplinary processes and technology allowing for a high level of scrutiny of any event which occurs.

History

Early hockey in particular was noted for its extreme violence, to the point where two players were killed in three years during brawls. In both cases, the accused assailants were acquitted, but these and other bloody incidents led to calls for the sport to clean up its act or be banned along with the likes of cockfighting.[3] The worst of the violence waned, particularly with the advent of regulations for quasi-legal fisticuffs, though incidents continue to occur from time to time.

Cully Wilson, right winger with the Seattle Metropolitans, slashed Vancouver Millionaires center Mickey MacKay over the mouth during the 1919 PCHA season. MacKay suffered a fractured jaw and missed the rest of the season. When the season was over PCHA chief disciplinarian Frank Patrick banned Wilson from the league,[4] [5] and Wilson never played in the PCHA again.

Billy Coutu was the first, and to date only, player banned from the NHL for life for violence in 1927; he assaulted referee Jerry Laflamme and tackled referee Billy Bell before starting a bench-clearing brawl during a Stanley Cup game between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators, apparently on the orders of Bruins Head Coach Art Ross. The NHL's first president, Frank Calder, expelled Coutu from the NHL for life; the ban was lifted after two-and-a-half years, but Coutu never played in the NHL again.

Other incidents include the December 12, 1933, event when Eddie Shore rammed Toronto Maple Leafs star Ace Bailey from behind, causing Bailey to strike his head on the ice; Bailey never played hockey again. More recently, controversy and criminal charges have resulted from violent attacks by Marty McSorley, Todd Bertuzzi and Chris Simon.

Players who are banned in the American Hockey League (AHL) for violence are not permitted in the ECHL, and vice versa, because of their agreements with the Professional Hockey Players' Association.

In January 2012, David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada, said that violence such as headshots, high-sticking and fighting should not be part of the sport.[6]

Reports investigating violence

There have been two major Canadian reports on violence in hockey. In 1974, William McMurtry provided a report for the Government of Ontario entitled Investigation and Inquiry into Violence in Amateur Hockey. In 2000, Bernie Pascall prepared a report for the Government of British Columbia entitled Eliminating Violence in Hockey.[7]

On-ice incidents resulting in charges

Longest suspensions

All of these incidents are in the NHL of the United States and Canada, unless noted otherwise.

NameTeamLengthDateOffense
Los Angeles Kings yearsUnacceptable off ice conduct (Voynov was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence in October 2014 and was originally banned indefinitely following his arrest; he was suspended for the entire 2019–20 NHL season. The neutral arbitrator upheld his suspension, but he was credited for serving 41 games. Therefore, he became eligible for reinstatement in January 2020.)[34]
Boston Bruins yearsAssaulted referee Jerry Laflamme, tackled referee Billy Bell and started a Stanley Cup bench-clearing brawl, apparently on the orders of coach Art Ross (Originally banned for life, but penalty was commuted after two-and-a-half years, but Coutu never played in the NHL again.)
Detroit Red Wings2 yearsMentioned above (Banned from playing in Toronto only)
Barys Astana (KHL) yearsInitiated a violent bench-clearing brawl against Tomáš Marcinko and other players from Red Star Kunlun during a preseason game[35] (Originally banned for life; penalty was commuted after 1 year and 5 months.)
Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL)89 games Slashed Garrett Stafford in the head (Perezhogin was suspended for five 2004 playoff games plus all 80 regular season games and four playoff games of the 2004–05 season, but the Russian Superleague did not honor his suspension unlike Todd Bertuzzi's suspension, so he was able to play in that league's 2004-05 season.)
Vancouver Canucks17 months
(20 games—13 regular season games plus seven playoff games)
Mentioned above (Since there was a labour dispute in the NHL the ensuing year, and the NHL is an IIHF member, the suspension was good for all IIHF member leagues in the ensuing season. Reinstated by the NHL Commissioner on August 8, 2005.)
Rögle BK (SHL Qualifier) monthsAssaulted unsuspecting Per Helmersson during a warmup (Deveaux subsequently agreed to terminate his contract.)[36]
Erie Otters (OHL)68 games (64 regular season, 4 playoffs)Check to the head of the Kitchener Rangers' Ben Fanelli, giving him a fractured skull. Suspension ended Liambas' OHL career. Fanelli eventually recovered.
San Jose Sharks41 gamesIllegal check to the head on Jakob Silfverberg and interference (longest non-lifetime suspension in NHL history; suspension length was issued because Torres had nine previous instances of NHL rule violations which required supplemental discipline rather than the check itself)
Ottawa SenatorsViolated NHL's gambling rules[37]
New York Islanders30 gamesStomped on Jarkko Ruutu's ankle during a timeout[38]
Ari LähteenmäkiHIFK (SM-liiga)27 gamesCross-checked Petri Lampinen in the face (with enough force to break the stick), and struck his head into the ice repeatedly. Longest suspension in SM-liiga's history.[39]
Nashville PredatorsUnacceptable off-ice conduct (Watson was arrested for domestic assault in June 2018; suspension was reduced to 18 games upon appeal)[40]
Chris SimonNew York Islanders25 gamesSlashed Ryan Hollweg in the head
Philadelphia FlyersCross-checked Ryan Kesler in the face
Boston Bruins23 gamesMentioned above (After his assault conviction, his NHL suspension was extended to one full year from the time of the incident, through February 21, 2001; however, McSorley did not sign a new contract before the next season, and never played in the NHL again.)
Tampa Bay LightningLeft the penalty box to try and engage in a fight and verbally and physically abused officials during a preseason game (Dwyer was suspended for remainder of preseason and 21 regular season games; he was also fined $10,000.)
MoDo Hockey (SHL)22 gamesIntentionally skated into an official
Washington Capitals21 gamesDeliberately hit and injured Pierre Turgeon after Turgeon had scored (incident occurred in Capitals' final playoff game; suspension carried over to first 21 games of next regular season)
Raffi TorresPhoenix CoyotesIllegal check of Marián Hossa in the head (originally 25 games, reduced to 21 games on appeal)
Evander KaneSan Jose SharksViolated The NHL's COVID-19 Protocols
Matt NickersonMilton Keynes Lightning(EIHL)20 gamesAbusing an official and striking a fan [41]
Chicago Black HawksAutomatic suspension for intentionally tripping linesman Ron Foyt with his stick
Phoenix CoyotesSlashed Steve Heinze in the nose
Philadelphia FlyersThrew himself at Dean McAmmond behind the net
Calgary FlamesCross-checked linesman Don Henderson from behind (reduced to 10 games on appeal in March 2016)
Niagara IceDogs (OHL)Charging and elbowing Ryan Murphy
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)Elbowing Mikael Tam
Sparta Warriors (GET-ligaen)Forcefully and repeatedly punching a defenseless opponent in the head during a post-game brawl.
Tom WilsonWashington CapitalsIllegal check to the head on Oskar Sundqvist during a preseason game (reduced to 14 games on appeal in November 2018)
Sergei BelokonVityaz Chekhov (KHL)18 gamesDeliberately hit and injured Roman Červenka and Martin Škoula
Jokerit (then SM-liiga)Assaulted Ville Peltonen by illegally checking him and beating him while he was down; the team was also fined €40,000.[42]
Pittsburgh Penguins17 gamesElbowed Ryan McDonagh in the head. Cooke was suspended for remainder of regular season and round one of 2011 playoffs.
Luleå HF (SHL)Attacked a referee over a goal that Javeblad disagreed with[43]
Boston Bruins16 gamesSucker punched Ace Bailey from behind
Vienna Capitals (EBHL)16 gamesAttacked the referee after a high stick infraction was not called.
Montreal Canadiens15 gamesKnocked out linesman Cliff Thompson during a fight with Hal Laycoe; this incident led to the Richard Riot. Richard was suspended for the rest of the 1954–55 season including playoffs.
Colorado RockiesCaused deliberate facial injuries to Dennis Polonich
Philadelphia FlyersCross-checked and injured Tomas Sandström. Brown was suspended for 13 regular season games and 2 games against the New York Rangers.
Los Angeles KingsSlashed Neil Wilkinson in the head.
Punched Brooks Orpik in the head while he was on his back on the ice.
Vålerenga Ishockey (GET-ligaen)Knocking Lørenskog player Eerikki Koivu down to the ice, then repeatedly punching his head as he was down.
Vityaz Chekhov (KHL)Participating in a mass brawl.
Vityaz Chekhov (KHL)14 gamesDeliberately hit and injured Roman Červenka and Martin Škoula
Linköpings HC (SHL)Illegal check to the head on Magnus Kahnberg that caused a concussion requiring hospitalization.[44] Karlsson was suspended for 11 SHL games plus 3 national team games.
Tom WilsonWashington CapitalsIllegal check to the head on Oskar Sundqvist during a preseason game (reduced to 14 games on appeal in November 2018).
St. Louis Blues30 daysMentioned above
Boston Bruins13 gamesMentioned above
Tampa Bay LightningLeft the penalty box and physically abused a linesman while trying to start a fight with players in the New York Rangers penalty box.
Ässät (Liiga)Charged Valtteri Hietanen with a check to the head[45]
New York Rangers12 gamesSlashed Mario Lemieux in the throat
Philadelphia FlyersAttacked Chris Chelios
Los Angeles KingsSucker punched Jeff Beukeboom in the back of the head
San Jose SharksLeft the bench to attack Mattias Norström
Darcy VerotVityaz Chekhov (KHL)Deliberately hit and injured Roman Červenka and Martin Škoula
San Jose Sharks11 gamesHit Grant Marshall in the face with his stick
Toronto Maple LeafsElbowed Scott Niedermayer in the face. Domi was suspended for the remainder of the 2001 playoffs (3 playoff games plus 8 regular season games).
Winnipeg Jets10 gamesMentioned above
Peter LindmarkMalmö IF (SHL)Swung his stick at the referee's head
Mighty Ducks of AnaheimChecked Mike Modano face-first into the boards from behind
New Jersey DevilsSlashed Peter Worrell in the head
Los Angeles KingsAutomatic suspension for returning to the ice to engage in a brawl after being ejected for roughing an opponent.
Pittsburgh PenguinsAutomatic suspension for leaving the bench to fight Micheal Haley after Haley had challenged Pittsburgh goalie, Brent Johnson during the Penguins-Islanders brawl.
New York IslandersDangerous hit on Cal Clutterbuck in first game back from a nine-game suspension as a result of the Penguins–Islanders brawl.
Toronto Maple LeafsAutomatic suspension for leaving the bench to engage in a fight
Phoenix CoyotesAutomatic suspension for leaving the bench to fight a Los Angeles Kings player on an illegal ice change
Buffalo SabresDelivered illegal check to the head of Jack Johnson
Anaheim DucksAutomatic suspension for slashing linesman Shandor Alphonso
Detroit Red WingsAutomatic suspension for returning to the ice to engage in an altercation with Matthew Tkachuk after being ejected by the officials
Philadelphia FlyersSlashed Mathieu Perreault in the neck

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Drewery, Laine (Writer and Director); Chong, Wayne (Producer). 2006. Hockey: A People's History, Episode 1 - A simple game, DVD Chapter — From sport to spectacle. DVD. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  2. YouYube Video, "Boston Bruins go into the stands in 1979, https://youtube.com/watch?v=fpbD6W7YT5A
  3. McKinley, Michael: "Hockey: A People's History," pages 27-28. McClelland & Stewart, 2006.
  4. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vg5kAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zXoNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3405%2C228059 "Injuries of Mickey MacKay are serious"
  5. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JwhTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6TcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=883,4392933&dq "Mickey MacKay may return to oldtime form"
  6. Web site: Fighting has no place in hockey, GG says . CBC . January 26, 2012 . January 26, 2012.
  7. http://www.hockeynanaimo.com/informationPDFs/WorkingPaper.pdf Violence, Not Part of Youth Hockey
  8. McKinley, Michael: "Hockey: A People's History," page 27. McClelland & Stewart, 2006.
  9. McKinley, Michael: "Hockey: A People's History," page 28. McClelland & Stewart, 2006.
  10. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56361255/spittal-charge-withdrawn/ "Spittal charge withdrawn"
  11. "Crawford guilty and fined $5 – Some Strong Cross Swearing on the Hockey Assault Case in the Police Court". The Daily Phoenix (Star-Phoenix), Saskatoon. January 19, 1910 (p. 8).
  12. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100103660/fined-fifty-dollars/ "Fined fifty dollars"
  13. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100104053/hockeyists-death-arouses-sympathy/ "Hockeyist's death arouses sympathy"
  14. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56368522/cleghorn-fined-50/ "Cleghorn fined $50"
  15. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56378409/cleveland-admit-they-were-fully/ "Cleveland admit they were fully responsible for riot on Saturday"
  16. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56883824/ross-and-mcgiffin-to-appear-in-court/ "Ross and McGiffin to appear in court"
  17. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56884003/live-tips-and-topics/ "Live Tips and Topics"
  18. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RFoDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pSgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3215,3093529&dq "Poor pro hockey match but pretty fair battle"
  19. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56356924/skene-ronan-is-acquitted/ "Skene Ronan is acquitted"
  20. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56369919/bad-joe-hall-and-alfie-skinner-got/ ""Bad Joe" Hall and Alfie Skinner got off on suspended sentence for fracas in Toronto match"
  21. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56365896/ottawa-hockey-club-requests-president/ "Ottawa Hockey Club requests president to expel Cleghorn"
  22. Book: Willes, Ed . 2004 . The Rebel League . McClelland & Stewart . 0-7710-8947-3 . 168 . registration .
  23. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-08-sp-490-story.html "Arrest Mars Gulls Game"
  24. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-04-sp-4920-story.html "Hockey Player Is Charged"
  25. Web site: Deveaux: "Jag kommer inte att be om ursäkt". sydsvenskan.se. 8 May 2015 . 13 February 2018.
  26. Web site: Överfallet under uppvärmningen. aftonbladet.se. 29 March 2015 . 13 February 2018.
  27. Web site: Andre Deveaux slipper åtal. aftonbladet.se. 10 July 2015 . 13 February 2018.
  28. https://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/sweden-supreme-court-rules-ice-hockey-players-cross-check-constitutes-assault-not-excused-as-part-of-game/ "Sweden: Supreme Court Rules Ice Hockey Player’s Cross-Check Constitutes Assault, Not Excused as Part of Game"
  29. News: Snow . Emma . Jefford . Will . 4 November 2023 . Adam Johnson: Crowds gather to pay tribute to ice hockey player . en-GB . . 2024-06-17.
  30. News: Hartley . Joshua . 30 October 2023 . Official police statement after death of Nottingham Panthers star Adam Johnson . . 2024-06-17 .
  31. Web site: 2023-11-15 . Adam Johnson death: Matt Petgrave released on bail after being charged with manslaughter of ex-Penguins player . 2024-06-17 . CBSSports.com . en.
  32. Web site: 2023-12-04 . Neck guards will be mandatory at Olympics after Adam Johnson's death . 2024-06-17 . theguardian.com . en.
  33. Web site: 2023-12-05 . International Ice Hockey Federation mandates neck guards to be worn at all levels following Adam Johnson's death . 2024-06-17 . cnn.com . en.
  34. Web site: Voynov suspended for 2019-20 NHL season, Stanley Cup Playoffs. 9 April 2019. NHL.com. 9 April 2019.
  35. Web site: Lifetime ban for Damir Ryspayev. khl.ru. 13 February 2018.
  36. Web site: Rekordlång avstängning för Deveaux - Sport - SVT.se. svt.se. 15 April 2015. 13 February 2018.
  37. News: Senators' Pinto to be suspended 41 games for violating NHL gambling rules. October 26, 2023. Sportsnet. 26 October 2023.
  38. News: NHL suspends Simon for 30 games. December 19, 2007. TSN. 13 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20080111101139/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=225518. 2008-01-11. dead.
  39. Web site: A record-setting suspension from ice hockey assault in 1986. Yle. 23 May 2018. 1 December 2011. fi.
  40. Web site: Watson of Predators suspended 27 games by NHL – Forward disciplined for unacceptable off-ice conduct. September 12, 2018. NHL.com. April 13, 2019.
  41. Web site: DOPS – Lightning's Nickerson Suspended For 20 Games. 2018-01-31. EIHL. en-GB. 2019-02-08.
  42. Web site: Semir Ben-Amor was given 18 game suspension. Ilta-Sanomat. 23 May 2018. 11 September 2012. fi.
  43. Web site: Här får Javeblad diagnosen ADHD. aftonbladet.se. 19 September 2013 . 13 February 2018.
  44. Web site: Lista: Tidernas längsta avstängningar i elitserien. aftonbladet.se. 8 November 2011 . 13 February 2018.
  45. Web site: Suspension for Ässät's Matti Lamberg. Liiga. 2 March 2019. 15 September 2017. fi.