Recently, minor league phenom Connor McDavid participated in this aspect of the game. He settled an altercation by means of a fist fight. The fight got awfully close to the boards that surround the rink, and McDavid threw an inaccurate punch that struck the boards and caused a fracture in his own hand. This wayward punch sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world.
This injury is the spark to a growing argument in the sports world: Should hockey remove fighting from the game? Many writers believe that it is in the sport’s best interest to ban fighting. On the flip side, players are offended that this is even an argument.
Fighting in hockey is a tradition. It is something woven into the fabric of the game and should not be changed. It perfectly encapsulates the tough culture of professional hockey.
Many people attend hockey games in hopes of seeing a fight. It truly is a special thing to watch two players drop the gloves and settle their conflict through brute toughness. A fight in hockey is a spectacle, and it is something that separates hockey from other sports.
McDavid showed he is a true hockey player at heart. He, and many other players, were raised to be the toughest men in sports. Even if fighting does result in injuries, banning it would change the entire tone of the sport. These players are fully aware of the risk that comes with fighting, and that is what makes it so special.
Hockey should never ban fighting. It is something the players respect and believe is an important part of the game.
