Paul Stewart: The Decline of Self-Defense in Hockey

Its refreshing to read your blogs, and theyre the only blogs i actually look forward to reading. Once again, well done sir

This was a great read and I will recommend it to everyone, but why didn't you include "remove the instigator" rule in your list?

Is it because there is zero chance of that happening?

This was a great read and I will recommend it to everyone, but why didn't you include "remove the instigator" rule in your list?

Is it because there is zero chance of that happening?
- James_Tanner

As I wrote in the blog, it's unrealistic to think we can move backward in time. I'm not a fan of the instigator rule, but it's going to stay.

Paul Stewart: The Decline of Self-Defense in Hockey
- Paul Stewart

You hit the nail right on the head. I played amateur hockey in the late 70s and early 80s and I was taught that you never, ever swing a stick at someone and I was also taught how to properly deliver and take a check.

The instigator rule is one of the worst things to happen to the NHL, it allows cheap shot artists to run around with no fear whatsoever. About 10 years back, there was a game between Ottawa and Philly that got completely out of hand mainly do the cheap shot actions of Martin Havlat. I would have to think that without an instigation rule, either Brashear or Fedoruk would have quickly taken care of Mr. Havlat and that would have been that.

The complete lack of respect for each other amongst players is really appalling to me. Funny how in the era of few helmets and no instigator penalties, no one carried their sticks up high and it was a true rarity to see someone get run from behind.

Great read Stewey. The maojority of my ill will towards Bettman is that I cannot stand that he (and probably not even him, but he's the face of the suits in my eyes) has constantly tinkered with the game to try and attract the non-fans rather than cater to the diehard, 100% loyal following that the game had already established. In fact, I feel that he'd be fine alienating the fanbase to get a couple of people to show some interest in the game. Hockey was more a beautiful game than a big business, money making machine, the sooner the owners/commish see this and embrace it, the better off us true fans will be.

You hit the nail right on the head. I played amateur hockey in the late 70s and early 80s and I was taught that you never, ever swing a stick at someone and I was also taught how to properly deliver and take a check.

The instigator rule is one of the worst things to happen to the NHL, it allows cheap shot artists to run around with no fear whatsoever. About 10 years back, there was a game between Ottawa and Philly that got completely out of hand mainly do the cheap shot actions of Martin Havlat. I would have to think that without an instigation rule, either Brashear or Fedoruk would have quickly taken care of Mr. Havlat and that would have been that.

The complete lack of respect for each other amongst players is really appalling to me. Funny how in the era of few helmets and no instigator penalties, no one carried their sticks up high and it was a true rarity to see someone get run from behind.
- BiggE

You hit on something that has bothered me and I think has increased cheap-shot artists- the mandatory helmet rule. I understand that there is a need for safety to the players, but like you said, for years the game was played with no helmets and there weren't injuries or deaths due to brain injuries. There is 2 ways to look at it. 1) as a player saying it is protecting me and 2) as a player saying it is protecting him.

As I always say, Stewy, "I liked hockey much better when the players didn't wear 'hats' and the customers did." What you've said here is exactly what so many players of that era (including a number of Hall of Famers) that I chat with often in the Flyers pressroom and pressbox (many are NHL scouts or broadcasters) say to me all the time. The game was so much better -- and safer -- when the players were both allowed to police it themselves and they all still respected the code. And I agree that the Instigator rule has both hurt the game and, alas, is not likely to be repealed.

To me, when the players "policed" them selves, lots of the nonsense we see today would not happen. Teams didn't have enforcers. When Gordie Howe took a hit, he hit right back. He didn't shy away and wait for a teammate to stick up for him. If it were like that today, I bet there would be alot less of the cheap shots going around.

Sounds like Don Cherry, if Cherry could spell and use grammar that is….

Paul Stewart: The Decline of Self-Defense in Hockey
- Paul Stewart

certainly not disagreeing... kids need to learn to take contact much earlier... the non-contact / hitting up thur pee-wee is counter productive

certainly not disagreeing... kids need to learn to take contact much earlier... the non-contact / hitting up thur pee-wee is counter productive
- BorjeFan4Ever

Agreed with the USA hockey rules growing up playing here in California I didn't learn how to throw a proper check or defend myself from one until I was big enough to actually hurt someone or get hurt.

I remember watching a game from back in the early 80s and the thing that stood out to me was that there was a lot of chippy play. To me there was more in that game than in todays game, but as soon as the whistle went everyone stopped and skated to their benches. No trashtalking from behind the referee. no post whistle bs.

Sounds like Don Cherry, if Cherry could spell and use grammar that is….
- CrimsonSamurai

And put forth a coherent thought or two from time to time.