Violence in ice hockey

This article is about uniformly illegal violent acts in ice hockey. For condoned fighting, see Fighting in ice hockey.
Linesmen attempt to break up a fight around the Tampa Bay goal during the first ice hockey playoff game between the Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Violence has been a part of ice hockey since at least the early 1900s. According to the book Hockey: A People's History, 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, fan involvement, 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 an 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 been known to investigate, charge and convict 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.[2] 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.

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.[3]

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.[4]

On-ice incidents resulting in charges

Sources

Longest suspensions

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

Name Team Length Date Offense
Coutu, BillyBilly Coutu Boston Bruins 2 1/2 years April 1927 assaulted 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.)
Maloney, DanDan Maloney Detroit Red Wings 2 years November 1975 mentioned above (Banned from playing in Toronto only)
Perezhogin, AlexanderAlexander Perezhogin Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) 89 games April 2004 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, so he was able to play in that league's 2004-05 season.)
Torres, RaffiRaffi Torres San Jose Sharks 41 games October 2015 illegal check to the head on Jakob Silfverberg and interference
Simon, ChrisChris Simon New York Islanders 30 games December 2007 stomped on Jarkko Ruutu's ankle during a timeout
Torres, RaffiRaffi Torres Phoenix Coyotes 25 games April 2012 illegal check of Marián Hossa in the head (reduced to 21 games on appeal)
Simon, ChrisChris Simon New York Islanders 25 games March 2007 slashed Ryan Hollweg in the head
Boulerice, JesseJesse Boulerice Philadelphia Flyers 25 games October 2007 cross-checked Ryan Kesler in the face
McSorley, MartyMarty McSorley Boston Bruins 23 games February 2000 mentioned 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 at before the next season, and never played in the NHL again.)
Dwyer, GordieGordie Dwyer Tampa Bay Lightning 23 games (two pre-season games plus 21 regular season games) September 2000 left the penalty box to try and engage in a fight and verbally and physically abused officials (Dwyer was also fined $10,000.)
Hunter, DaleDale Hunter Washington Capitals 21 games April 1993 deliberately 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)
Lysiak, TomTom Lysiak Chicago Black Hawks 20 games October 1983 intentionally tripped linesman Ron Foyt with his stick
May, BradBrad May Phoenix Coyotes 20 games November 2000 slashed Steve Heinze in the nose
Bertuzzi, ToddTodd Bertuzzi Vancouver Canucks 20 games (13 regular season games plus seven playoff games) March 2004 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.)
Downie, SteveSteve Downie Philadelphia Flyers 20 games September 2007 threw himself at Dean McAmmond behind the net
Wideman, DennisDennis Wideman Calgary Flames 20 games January 2016 cross-checked linesman Don Henderson from behind (reduced to 10 games on appeal in March 2016)
Gratton, JoshJosh Gratton Vityaz Chekhov (KHL) 20 games December 2010 deliberately hit and injured Roman Červenka and Martin Škoula
Kühnhackl, TomTom Kühnhackl Niagara IceDogs (OHL) 20 games November 2011 Charging and elbowing Ryan Murphy
Cormier, PatricePatrice Cormier Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) 20 games January 2010 Elbowing Mikael Tam
Belokon, SergeiSergei Belokon Vityaz Chekhov (KHL) 18 games December 2010 deliberately hit and injured Roman Červenka and Martin Škoula
Shore, EddieEddie Shore Boston Bruins 16 games December 1933 sucker punched Ace Bailey from behind
Cooke, MattMatt Cooke Pittsburgh Penguins 16 games (ten regular season games plus six playoff games) March 2011 elbowed Ryan McDonagh in the head
Richard, MauriceMaurice Richard Montreal Canadiens 15 games (three regular season games plus 12 playoff games) March 1955 knocked out linesman Cliff Thompson during a fight with Hal Laycoe; this incident led to the Richard Riot
Paiement, WilfWilf Paiement Colorado Rockies 15 games October 1978 caused deliberate facial injuries to Dennis Polonich
Brown, DaveDave Brown Philadelphia Flyers 15 games November 1987 cross-checked and injured Tomas Sandström
Granato, TonyTony Granato Los Angeles Kings 15 games February 1994 slashed Neil Wilkinson in the head
Thornton, ShawnShawn Thornton Boston Bruins 15 games December 2013 Punched Brooks Orpik in the head while he was on his back on the ice
Verot, DarcyDarcy Verot Vityaz Chekhov (KHL) 14 games December 2010 deliberately hit and injured Roman Červenka and Martin Škoula
Larin, IvanIvan Larin Vityaz Chekhov (KHL) 14 games December 2010 deliberately hit and injured Roman Červenka and Martin Škoula
Maki, WayneWayne Maki St. Louis Blues 30 days September 1969 mentioned above
Green, TedTed Green Boston Bruins 13 games September 1969 mentioned above
Roy, AndréAndré Roy Tampa Bay Lightning 13 games April 2002 left the penalty box and physically abused a linesman while trying to start a fight with players in the New York Rangers penalty box
Shaw, DavidDavid Shaw New York Rangers 12 games October 1988 slashed Mario Lemieux in the throat
Hextall, RonRon Hextall Philadelphia Flyers 12 games May 1989 attacked Chris Chelios
Johnson, MattMatt Johnson Los Angeles Kings 12 games November 1998 sucker punched Jeff Beukeboom in the back of the head
Myhres, BranttBrantt Myhres San Jose Sharks 12 games February 1999 left the bench to attack Mattias Norström
Nolan, OwenOwen Nolan San Jose Sharks 11 games February 2001 hit Grant Marshall in the face with his stick
Domi, TieTie Domi Toronto Maple Leafs 11 games (three playoff games plus eight regular season games) May 2001 elbowed Scott Niedermayer in the face
Mann, JimmyJimmy Mann Winnipeg Jets 10 games January 1982 mentioned above
Salei, RuslanRuslan Salei Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 10 games October 1999 checked Mike Modano face first into the boards from behind
Niedermayer, ScottScott Niedermayer New Jersey Devils 10 games March 2000 slashed Peter Worrell in the head
Brennan, KipKip Brennan Los Angeles Kings 10 games December 2003 returned to the ice to engage in a brawl after being ejected for roughing an opponent
Godard, EricEric Godard Pittsburgh Penguins 10 games February 2011 left the bench to fight Micheal Haley after Haley had challenged Pittsburgh goalie, Brent Johnson during the Penguins-Islanders brawl
Gillies, TrevorTrevor Gillies New York Islanders 10 games March 2011 dangerous hit on Cal Clutterbuck in first game back from a nine-game suspension as a result of the Penguins-Islanders brawl
Clarkson, DavidDavid Clarkson Toronto Maple Leafs 10 games September 2013 left the bench to engage in a fight
Bissonnette, PaulPaul Bissonnette Phoenix Coyotes 10 games September 2013 left the bench to fight a Los Angeles Kings player on an illegal ice change
Kaleta, PatrickPatrick Kaleta Buffalo Sabres 10 games October 2013 delivered illegal check to the head of Jack Johnson

See also

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. McKinley, Michael: "Hockey: A People's History," pages 27-28. McClelland & Stewart, 2006.
  3. "Fighting has no place in hockey, GG says". CBC. January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  4. Violence, Not Part of Youth Hockey, pilot project working paper, Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association, September 10, 2003
  5. McKinley, Michael: "Hockey: A People's History," page 27. McClelland & Stewart, 2006.
  6. McKinley, Michael: "Hockey: A People's History," page 28. McClelland & Stewart, 2006.
  7. CBC Sports 2004
  8. Willes, Ed (2004). The Rebel League. McClelland & Stewart. p. 168. ISBN 0-7710-8947-3.
  9. Arrest Mars Gulls Game. Los Angeles Times. 8 November 1992.

External links

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