Boston Bruins and Ottawa 657's tough guy Ken Belanger is also not a fan of the OHL’s knew fighting rule. I also think that it's just a matter of time before more current and former players come out against this ridiculous rule.
Belanger thinks that the new rule might actually increase acts of violence. I agree with his assessment. You're going to have players that aren't going to be afraid to commit questionable acts on the ice because they will have no fear of retribution.
Jeffrey Ougler, Sault Star --- “(Hockey’s) a game of emotion, it’s a game of teamwork, it’s a game of guys protecting guys, watching each other’s backs, guys stepping up to each other if someone does a dirty hit ... It’s a game of accountability,” he said, adding NHL instigator rules have only seen concussions increase, “respect rates” diminish and “head shots” hike.I don't like this new rules one bit, because I am afraid that some genius in the NHL is going to come up with the idea that this 10 fight rule -- or a rule similar to this one needs to be enacted in the NHL as well. I think it's a slipper slope that we don't want to go down - if the NHL went to a rule like this the "rats" would flourish in the NHL.
In 1992, the league ushered in the controversial “instigator” rule, which adds an additional two-minute minor penalty to the player who starts a fight.
“But I really think there will be an issue when a guy can’t stand up for a teammate,” Belanger said.
“If someone hammers a goalie, that’s OK now because, guess what, my excuse is I can’t do anything to the guy because I don’t want to get suspended.
“So now, is there accountability for anybody?”
In other words, what you might see now are some players thinking they can, perhaps, high-stick or do other dirty deeds with impunity — violations that would have earlier landed them a crack in the jaw.
“(The new rules are) not going to eliminate head shots and guys getting into fights, because, guess what, if your top-line players aren’t going to be getting into fights, they’re going to be running around, and now you’ve got your small guys who don’t have to worry about fighting,” he added.
If you don't know what I mean by "Rats" -- think of the players that you despise the most -- these are the players like Matt Cooke, Raffi Torres or other players like them that skate around and head hunt the opposition. NHL tough guys are the ones that keep these players in check.
