Paul Stewart: Too Many Mississippis: The Hanzal Suspension

I bet he will never try this kind of dangerous pay again after a two game suspension...

I bet he will never try this kind of dangerous pay again after a two game suspension...
- FlyersSteve118

That's just the thing. He has $76K+ coming out of his pocket as a result of the suspension but he's probably not going to change what he does the next time a similar situation arises.

We will never see hockey go back to what Paul describes in the later part of his blog -- players tacitly being allowed to use their sticks (or elbows) as a form of self-protection in the specific case of an opponent taking a run at him from the distance Hanzal traveled -- so a player like Hanzal never has to think twice about it beforehand.

...players today do not do nearly as effective of a job at protecting themselves as they did in years past. Many do not know the correct way to receive a hit to reduce the damage and, in case like this, they're not allowed to defend themselves the old-fashioned way.
- Paul Stewart

Paul, what do you think of a rule passed in (I think) BC banning all forms of checking in youth hockey? To me, that is when coaches should be showing players how to safely deliver and receive a clean body check. Now, when these kids go off to play in juniors, they will be going up against boys from Ontario and other provinces who have been playing full-contact hockey for years. I think this will actually cause more injuries than it prevents, with the only difference being the players' age (17 instead of 13) and location (i.e. in a CHL arena as opposed to a local one).

Great read Paul. You mention that players aren't as good at taking hits as they used to be. I agree. What are your thoughts on the equipment being worn?When I played minor hockey my shoulder and elbow pads were just soft padding. The hard pads were saved for the shins. Now when I walk into any store selling hockey equipment the elbow and shoulder pads are rock solid weapons. Do you think there should be limitations or restrictions on these?

That's just the thing. He has $76K+ coming out of his pocket as a result of the suspension but he's probably not going to change what he does the next time a similar situation arises.

We will never see hockey go back to what Paul describes in the later part of his blog -- players tacitly being allowed to use their sticks (or elbows) as a form of self-protection in the specific case of an opponent taking a run at him from the distance Hanzal traveled -- so a player like Hanzal never has to think twice about it beforehand.
- bmeltzer

The 76k is probably a bigger deterrent than the suspension. I just feel that on dangerous plays they need to be handing out much bigger suspensions. Like 2 game first offense, 5 game second offense, 10 game third offense, fourth offense is 25+.

And the injury status of the defending player should not be held in question. If a play meets criteria that is specifically written out than you do your time. It should not be judgement by committee.


Edit: also being a younger hockey fan, whenever I watch an old hockey game it feels as though im watching a minor league game that's in slow motion. Im sure that has a large part to do with it being harder to receive a hit.

There are obvious flaws here. But it will definitely solve the problem.

The 76k is probably a bigger deterrent than the suspension. I just feel that on dangerous plays they need to be handing out much bigger suspensions. Like 2 game first offense, 5 game second offense, 10 game third offense, fourth offense is 25+.

And the injury status of the defending player should not be held in question. If a play meets criteria that is specifically written out than you do your time. It should not be judgement by committee.

There are obvious flaws here. But it will definitely solve the problem.
- FlyersSteve118

Exactly. According to the NHL, a flying elbow that misses a player is not as bad of an offense as an accidental head shot.

Great read Paul. You mention that players aren't as good at taking hits as they used to be. I agree. What are your thoughts on the equipment being worn?When I played minor hockey my shoulder and elbow pads were just soft padding. The hard pads were saved for the shins. Now when I walk into any store selling hockey equipment the elbow and shoulder pads are rock solid weapons. Do you think there should be limitations or restrictions on these?
- Muskwa

Whenever I watch an old school hockey game it feels like I'm watching a minor league game in slow motion. Im pretty sure that the increased speed of the game has a large part to do with it as well. Even over the past 5 to 10 years the speed of the game seems to have increased substantially.

Thanks for these great articles. I can't figure out why the players are taught to face the glass to protect the puck. If they were instructed to approach the puck from the side in order to see what is going on on the ice, and to prevent being knocked face first into the boards, then I think that would help as well. I figure it's also the player's responsibility to protect himself, and to play smarter.
So, smarter hits, and smarter puck play can help reduce the number of head injuries. I really don't think having bubble wrap around the head would be a good alternative...lol.
P.S. Zac is learning.

I can't remember the specifics, but I can remember a Flyers game in which Mike Richards was along the boards with a player coming at him full speed for a big hit. Richie put up his stick to protect himself and caught the player in the face (and was rightly penalized for it) but I was OK with the penalty because otherwise Richie would have been rocked into the boards. He's had enough shoulder problems!

Exactly. According to the NHL, a flying elbow that misses a player is not as bad of an offense as an accidental head shot.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. This has to stop. Punish the offense not the result. Clifford gets a $2700 fine for a knee on knee? That could have taken RNH out for the season. But Nuge was able to return to the game so its only a minor fine.

I can't remember the specifics, but I can remember a Flyers game in which Mike Richards was along the boards with a player coming at him full speed for a big hit. Richie put up his stick to protect himself and caught the player in the face (and was rightly penalized for it) but I was OK with the penalty because otherwise Richie would have been rocked into the boards. He's had enough shoulder problems!
- Coburns_Nose

It was Kaleta in the playoffs in 2011. Richards got a 5 minute major and became public enemy #1 for the remainder of the series in Buffalo.

I do think the equipment has had something to do with it. It's a double-edged sword: the hard-capped and bigger gear is simultaneously more protective but also helps to inflict more damage and add to a false sense of invulnerability. Not really sure what the answer is in this regard, to be honest.

Good read, thanks Paul, keep up the good work.