Hockey Question: Should assault and battery be treated the same on the ice as it is anywhere else in society?

Question

I'm talking about flagrant Chris Simon-like stuff; which is not part of the game.

Answer 1

If I am correctly understanding your question, the answer is a resounding YES from me.

Here is the thing: by virtue of participating and PLAYING in the NHL you are agreeing there are hits, tempers flare, there are cheap shots, there will be risk of injury, you can do things to each other that you wouldn't do in a bar or on the street or after a fender-bender. That's fine. I agree with that thinking.

But what some of these people are NOT UNDERSTANDING: the above does NOT mean you gave permission to have someone take a stick and swing it at your head!!!!!!!! That is waaaaaaay over the line!

And worse yet, while hockey COULD give these players serious suspensions (and in the case of Simon I mean LIFE) it never has and it looks like it never will.

I absolutely agree Simon should be charged with assault.

And for anyone who doesn't agree with that (I'm sure I know at least who one person would be) I ask how far someone has to go on in an NHL game before it IS assault? Or should Hockey Players just be allowed to skate with knives and handguns since they can "police themselves"?

Answer 2

Sports are covered under the "mutual combat clause" of the assault statutes. That is, there is an expectation of some violence in the normal course of a game.

Only especially outrageous incidents will therefore be charged. Don't forget, the victim has to be willing to press charges.

I would add that Bertuzzi and McSorley were charged criminally for their actions.

Answer 3

with the aid of fact lots of hockey followers think of combating is the only element that makes human beings watch the activity. which does no longer say plenty for what they think of relating to the sport itself. For those people who love hockey yet hate the fights, the activity is thrilling adequate with no need to motel to fisticuffs continuously. great stick artwork, stunning saves, no longer worry-free slapshots, massive open-ice hits, and bone-crunching checks into the boards are adequate to maintain me riveted. i like touch activities. A brawl isn't a splash game -- that's in basic terms a pair of goons beating the crap out of another. It has no longer something to do with the activity. North American hockey is in basic terms extraordinary this way. combating is banned in eu hockey and faculty hockey, yet right here, they are going to show you how to recognize that's "component of the activity," and that gamers choose an outlet, so as that they do no longer initiate injuring one yet another with low priced photos. all the arguments are vulnerable and bogus, of course. in case you needed to combat to win, the purple Wings may well be lifeless final interior the league. quite, they are lifeless final in combating majors, and that they are the protecting Stanley Cup champs. Their in basic terms goon is the ability play. If human beings want a boxing tournament, possibly they could bypass watch some UFC adventure.

Answer 4

Absolutely not. It can't be compared to "the street"-tempers flare-guys get physical-guys fight. It's a man's game. I have a question for you. Should guys in boxing or the UFC be treated the same as "anywhere else in society?" No. NO. NNNOOOOO. Once they step in the ring or the octagon or on the ice, there is a certain risk that comes with that.

Answer 5

Yes, but only in extreme conditions. Simon's incident would fall under assault with a weapon.

Answer 6

No, part of the sport hockey is about beating people down for a small rubber puck.
what's what makes the game so interesting to watch.

it's like football, no one would really watch touch or flag football on TV. People want to see other people beating each other down.

also, it'd be harder for the skaters because it'd be harder for them to skate out of someone's way. they are great skaters but a small nudge could send them falling, and maybe cause a foul

Answer 7

Yes, we know you're talking about Mr. Simon. Anyone who pays attention knows about his little "stunt." Although it was HORRIBLE sportsmanship, a loveable thing about hockey is that people can beat the **** out of each other without getting arrested for it.

Answer 8

Only in extreme circumstances. It would be crazy for every hockey fight to end up in court.

But, stick swinging at the head/neck incidents, attacks from behind, kicking, they should be prosecuted.

Answer 9

yes definitely. that was plain old assault and should be treated like that. that was not hockey!

Answer 10

It already IS and will continue to be. Ask McSorely and Bartuzzi about their criminal charges.