Does Wayne Gretzky think the NHL needs fighting?

Question

Some direct quotes from his autobiography:

"Hockey is the only team sport in the world that actually ENCOURAGES fighting. I have no idea why we let it go on."

"Fights probably bring a lot of people into the building But how many people do they keep OUT of the building?"

"Have you ever noticed that during the playoffs the number of fights goes down to about zero? And that's when our best hockey is played. If that isn't proof that we don't need fighting, I don't know what is"

"Marty....Semenko...could be in this league if fighting were illegal...I don't think even THOSE guys want to fight. They didn't go through all those years.....just to come to the big-time and play Mike Tyson on skates"

"I don't want to see any more fourteeen-year-olds drop their sticks and gloves and start fighting. That's not hockey"

In response to being told that I make this stuff up out of thin air..........

axel6886, I think you are misunderstanding my question. Gretzky was in fights and he appreciated having Semenko and McSorley as bodyguards. He made these and other statements that APPEAR as if he is condoning fighting (when in fact it is EXACTLY the opposite).

In fact another exact quote:
"If the league is going to allow mayhem to go on, you might as well be able to defend yourself"

By the way these quotes are from "Gretzky an Autobiography", Wayne Gretzky with Rick Reilly

And this book came out in 1990, so this is obviously not stuff he made up AFTER his playing days ended.

People DO change their positions on things, but I'd need more evidence of that than Don Cherry saying something.......

To clarify what I am asking: does he think the NHL would be better off AS A SPORT without it?

I know he thinks that you need to have enforcers IF the NHL is NOT going to do anything to stop the fights and cheap shots. But that is not my question.......

I am asking this question because in response to an earlier question I said Gretzky did not want fighting to be part of the league, and I was accused of making it up.

Furthermore, the opinion of the greatest player in the history of the game carries more weight WITH ME than the other 999,999 opinions. Sorry.

Bob - For not the first, and I'm sure not the last time, I do not understand what point you are trying to make. If I tell you I don't see why fighting needs to be in the game, you say I am wrong and don't know Hockey. If I give you a source, you say I am pulling it out of thin air. Now I tell you exactly where I got it and all you can say is I can't from an opinion??? I have spent the last 5 days giving you an opinion, whether or not YOU like it is not my problem.

Nor does your quote "prove" that any of what he said earlier is wrong or that he has indeed changed his views.

Rockford - Would you care to answer the question?

Answer 1

Gretz is a known evangelist of the efforts to rid the game of fighting. Of course, he was not a fighter.

With the recent rule changes, the people who are getting into ugly situations are the ones that have been around a while. They are used to operating under the "old rules". The majority of the players are adapting, while some are more slow to change their style.

Bottom line, as the veterans start to retire, and the league is made up of more and more players who were raised under the "new rules", the game will become more and more clean.

Answer 2

Wayne Gretzky Autobiography

Answer 3

Here is a recent quote from Wayne Gretzky:

" The unique thing about our sport is that we play with hockey sticks that can potentially be used as weapons. This is a game that is very emotional and guys are only human. Fighting gives them an outlet to release (energy and frustrations) instead of slashing, high sticking and cross checking.
You almost never see a tough guy grab a small skilled guy and start (punching) either. There is still a code." Unquote.

I'll leave you with another quote from hockey great Gordie Howe. "When I scored, the crowd cheered, but when I dished out a good a$$ kicking, they went wild."

Since you can't seem to form your own opinion and only want the opinion of flippy floppy Wayne "the great wimp" Gretzky, there, I have given you an undisputable quote from your hero himself. So now with his opinion to go along with the other 999,000. Maybe this will make you see the light.

Answer 4

I have read his autobiography and those quotes are true. However that book was written almost 10-15 years ago (not sure of the publishing date). Anyway to answer your question, Gretzky has since become an endorser of fighting within the NHL. Don Cherry has said this many times as one of his arguments.

Answer 5

ok, if you woulda asked wayne that question why he was skating playing agains the broad street bullies I can gurantee you that he never would have said that. its one of those things where when your playing and its happeining to you are thankful for it but once you leave the game and you see what is going on you start to say stuff like that. I dont think gretzky would have been gretzky if mcsorely would have had his back all those years, could you imagine how many people would have taken runs at him, possibly injuring him and ruining his career? so I think he does think it should be in the game just not acts like simons, you know? that is never needed, but he did need to do someething for the hit that hollweg gave him from behind, thats where simon should have fought him instead of stick swinging lol, I play junior b hockey I am 5'9 and one of 4 leading scorers on our team, there is no way I could defend myself against players that are 6'4 230 lbs, i weigh 185 soaking wet, having players that are willing to stick up for you gives you the protection and the confidence to go out there and produce, and I am grateful for those players on our team. now those so called "goons" or as I call them teammates can play the game as well at a very high pace and score as good as any other they just take the responsibility on their own to protect, its like if your watching your little bro get beat up are you just gonna stand there and do nothing? or would you go and stick up for him? same thing. I hope this helps clear some of the air from a players perspective and fighting is legal in juniors

Answer 6

Gretzky is a hypocrite. If he really doesn't like fighting, why did he pick Bertuzi over Crosby to be in the Canadian Olympic team? Most Canadians thought it was a horrible decision to allow Bertuzi to represent Canada. Gretzky ignored those concerns.

Answer 7

Wayne is the kind of guy fighters want to take out of the game. I'm sure he got pushed around a lot especially before he got in the NHL. I don't disagree with him but I can't see it changing.

Answer 8

Let's be honest, the only reason why 1/3 of the people watch Hockey is for the fights

Answer 9

WHO CARES........YOU NEED A MILLION OPPINIONS, NOT ONE