Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier has never been afraid to be pro-fight in hockey, and in his eyes, almost all NHL players think the same way he does.
While he claims to understand the current debate surrounding fighting and its origins, the 26-year-old athlete is keen to defend the maintenance of fighting, which in his eyes is an essential aspect of hockey.
“I’m clearly someone who wants to keep the struggles in hockey,” he told the Journal, “but I understand that sports and life evolves.” Things change and I have no problem with that. The top priority is the safety of young people.”
95% in QMJHL
However, the Quebecer regrets that the QMJHL’s decision was made by people who do not practice the sport on a daily basis at a high level.
“I wonder why we haven’t consulted a players’ committee to find out what they think,” the striker asked.
“If you ask every player in junior hockey, I’m sure 95% are in favor of it, if not the whole bunch,” he continued. In professional ice hockey you are almost 100%. Nobody is against it and I think the players need to have a say in such a decision.
Photo AFP
Between 2013 and 2018, Mathieu Olivier played five seasons in the QMJHL. According to the website HockeyFights.com, he threw the gloves 39 times.
According to the same source, he has fought 37 times in the pros since 2018, including 16 times in the NHL.
Really fewer dirty shots?
The attacker therefore speaks with full knowledge of the facts. And in his opinion, the argument that fighting prevents dirty play in hockey is valid.
“We often hear people say that this is not a good argument and that it is up to the referees to give penalties. I understand that and the referees do a good job, they are committed and there to protect the players.
“On the other hand, two of them are on the ice while twelve players are on the ice at the same time, including the goalkeepers. You can’t see or hear everything. […] Knowing you have to answer for your actions brings a little hesitation and honesty into play.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
This argument, which is difficult to verify, is common among gamers.
However, the NCAA in the United States, like most leagues in Europe, prohibits fighting, which does not prevent several of its members from one day reaching the NHL, he was told.
“There are differences in style of play in different leagues, but I can tell you that these guys like it when they get to the NHL,” he replied. They don’t all want to fight, but when a teammate comes to defend them, they are always the most excited. You feel more comfortable.”
The decline of the QMJHL
For his part, forward Yanick Turcotte saw the beginning of the QMJHL’s transition toward complete elimination of combat operations.
In 2015-2016, the district adopted a rule that stipulated that a player would be suspended for five games if he exceeded the limit of 10 fights in a season.
According to the website HockeyFights.com, the former Quebec Remparts had thrown the gloves 28 times the year before.
Archive photo
Turcotte has therefore witnessed the decline in fights on the circuit, which have declined drastically over the last 15 years. It averaged 0.67 per game in the 2015-2016 season, compared to 0.13 last season before the new rules came into effect.
“Bigger problems”
Like Mathieu Olivier, Turcotte, who now bounces back and forth between the American Hockey League and the ECHL, regrets the way the QMJHL’s decision was made.
“It was based on absolutely nothing,” he argued. There were no fight-related injuries in the QMJHL. We were trying to solve a wrong problem.”
“The minister [Isabelle] Charest has much bigger problems on his desk than the struggles in the QMJHL,” he added.
“Given the many sex scandals in recent years, perhaps we should take more time to look into the backgrounds of coaches or the physical condition of our young people. It makes me angry because there are bigger problems to solve.”