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.
“The biggest Pussies of North America”, “shit chickens”, “damn useless French speakers”. Quebec experienced a slew of social media attacks in March when the QMJHL announced it was scrapping fights. Not only are we disgusted, but six months later we realize that the hockey world doesn’t care about this decision.
Even though science says fights in hockey can have terrible effects on the brain, the other leagues surveyed by Le Journal aren’t thinking about emulating the QMJHL.
Over the past few weeks, we surveyed 80 of them around the world to find out whether the QMJHL’s decision to end hostilities would cause global harm.
And it turns out that this major change in the Quebec Junior Circuit’s regulations has even got people talking in Australia.
Not “in the DNA”
Yes, there is hockey in the land of the kangaroos. Ten teams make up the AIHL, the Australian ice hockey league in which Quebecers also skate.
Like the vast majority of amateur and professional hockey leagues around the world, the AIHL employs the International Ice Hockey Federation (FIHG) playbook, which prohibits fighting.
And when they happen, they are punished. “Fighting is not part of the DNA of the International Ice Hockey Federation,” it says in its rules.
Sanctions are at the discretion of the officials, but a fight may result in ejection from the game.
Skills beyond fists
Since the AIHL already prohibits fighting on the ice, it tips its hat to the QMJHL.
“We support the development of the game and the application of sportsmanship,” Australian circuit operations manager Ben Armstrong said via email. We must place an emphasis on skill and discipline to continue to push our athletes, whether junior or professional, to become elite athletes. May they be respected and role models for future players.”
Well done, but no thanks
The Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL), an 11-team minor league in the United States in which former Canadian Pierre Dagenais has played, also welcomed the Cecchini circuit’s initiative but said it did not want to do so. Go this way.”
“This is a good thing for the juniors,” said FPHL Commissioner Donald Kirnan.
Other reactions
In addition to these reactions and the Quebec semi-pro leagues we touched on, here’s how the major leagues are responding to the struggles:
Western Junior League
On Sportsnet last March, commissioner Ron Robison said he had “no plans to change the rules of combat.” [pour cette saison]», meaning that his circuit has already “taken measures to reduce the number of fights”.
Ontario Junior League
In March, Commissioner David Branch did not feel comfortable making further comment because the details of the new QMJHL rules had not yet been fully announced. “I think the situation in Quebec certainly makes our league refocus its attention on the fights and what we should potentially be doing,” he still told Sportsnet.
American League and ECHL
The National League’s two affiliates say they have tightened sanctions over the past seven years. A player who fights more than 10 times in a season will be banned. Players who fight immediately after a face-off (known as stage fighting) are also banned from play.
Europe and KHL