Six months after the QMJHL announced it would ban fighting, what impact did this decision have on the world of hockey? The Journal has surveyed leagues around the world in recent weeks, including players passionate about fighting and experts concerned about athletes’ brains. We will present the results to you in the coming days.
NHL fighters who dropped the gloves more than 50 times during their careers died, on average, 10 years earlier than other players in the league, according to a study released last May.
Under the direction of Dr. Charles Popkin from Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, the study analyzed the fate of hockey players who played in the National League between 1967 and 2022.
The observation is grim. Because if the mortality rate of players qualified as brawlers (those who have fought more than 50 fights or have an average of more than three penalty minutes per game) is similar to that of other hockey players, the former still die almost a decade earlier.
Suicide, overdose and brain disease
And what also stands out is the cause of death: suicide, drug overdose, car accident or degenerative brain disease.
“The study only shows connections, not cause and effect,” explained Dr. Charles Popkin to various American media upon publication of the article.
“But it also shows that as an NHL fighter you die ten years earlier and for different reasons than the others,” he continues.
50 fights, it’s still happening
Certainly the era of Derek Boogaard or Bob Probert is over. The number of fights in the NHL has been in free fall for several years.
Bob Probert (left). Archive photo
Another study published in 2022 shows that the number of fights increased from an average of 0.64 per game in 2001-2002 to 0.35 per game this season (as of October 28).
But there are still players in the NHL ranks today who have thrown the gloves more than 50 times throughout their careers, including during their time in the junior ranks, and the consequences for the brain are even more serious.
Corey Perry
Former Canadian forward Corey Perry, who won the Stanley Cup with the Ducks, has batted 54 times since 2001, when he wore the colors of the London Knights in the Ontario Junior League.
Tom Wilson
Capitals nuisance Tom Wilson has played a total of 90 fights since starting in the NHL in 2013-2014.
Nicolas Deslauriers
Quebec’s Nicolas Deslauriers, a former Canadian known for his pugilistic skills, has thrown down the gloves 79 times since his debut on the circuit, also in 2013 and 2014. In particular, he was involved in 14 fights last season.
Ryan Reaves
Another lock, Ryan Reaves, who is playing for the Maple Leafs this season, has fought 89 times since 2010-11.
