The Junior Hockey News: Fighting To Be Removed From Junior Hockey By The Start Of 2015 Season

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Here some interesting, and breaking news that just popped up on twitter today. It looks like junior hockey is going to ban fighting, or make it less prevalent in their hockey games. I am sure the Anti-Fighting Cabal will be happy with this move. I am torn, and I am not sure what to think about this.

The Junior Hockey News --- TJHN has learned from multiple sources that USA Hockey is working in conjunction with Hockey Canada on a plan to remove fighting from Junior Hockey no later than the start of the 2015 – 2016 season.

In October of 2013, the Canadian Junior Hockey League, which is the governing body for the ten Junior A hockey leagues, voted to ban fighting starting in the 2014-2015 season.

In essence a player that fights will automatically receive a game ejection where as in the past a player would receive a five minute major penalty. Some CJHL leagues began instituting escalating suspensions for players who continually found themselves in fights this past season.

In January at the USA Hockey annual meeting a proposal was presented that would call for an automatic game ejection, and an automatic two game suspension for those players that instigate fights.

Since January, USA Hockey and Hockey Canada have been in talks discussing how the two governing bodies can work together toward making these rules standardized for both countries. The goal is to eliminate all fighting by the beginning of the 2015 season.

While the elimination of fighting may sound good to some, a rule will not totally eliminate fighting. There will still be fights in Junior Hockey, but the rules being discussed will place escalating, and very severe penalties for those who continue to fight.

Anti-fighting Cabal to Ban Fighting in US Junior Hockey

Shirt badge/Association crest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The anti-fighting cabal is pretty strong in hockey across the USA. I am concerned. This is going to bring the level of violence up in amateur hockey. People always talk about fighting in hockey but they never address the dangerous hits like hits from behind, head shots, boarding’s and the blatant charges. These are the hits were the concussions are coming from. These are the hits that I am concerned about more than a hockey fight.

Jeff Z. Klein, New York Times -- Junior A hockey, for 16- to 20-year-olds, is the last remaining level of the game under USA Hockey’s jurisdiction that still tolerates fighting. The push to outlaw fighting is being spurred by a recent spate of serious injuries resulting from fights and concern over the prospect of lawsuits.

“We need to take a firm stand to preserve our sport, prevent catastrophic injury and avoid financial repercussions,” said Dr. Michael J. Stuart, the chief medical officer for USA Hockey, who has been a leader in the effort to ban fighting.

The new rule would punish all fighters with automatic ejection from the game, and instigators with an automatic two-game suspension. It would also give referees more latitude in making decisions to eject players.

The measure will be presented at the organization’s winter meetings Jan. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla. It could be voted on then or at USA Hockey’s annual congress in June. The rule could take effect as early as next season.

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BCHL Linesman Knocked Out in Hockey Fight

They say that being a linesman in hockey is a dangerous job. Yikes! Here's the explanation from Neate Sager of Buzzing the Net. Also, the rules for fighting in junior hockey in Canada will be getting tougher. Starting in 2014-15, players that get into a fight, will receive a game misconduct and be removed from the game.

Buzzing the Net -- With 5½ minutes left in the third period, an all-out skirmish broke out along a half-wall between the Vipers and the Prince George Spruce Kings. Dumonceaux paired off with Prince George's Christian Weidauer. Linesman Ryan Dawson moved in between them to separate the players. Dumonceaux, who had his head down, tried to punch Weidauer, but instead decked Dawson, bloodying the official.

It was a mistake, but it's a very bad one that should lead to the 19-year-old Dumonceaux being suspended. Striking an official is a cardinal sin. It's an occupational hazard, but this seemed exceptionally bad.

CHL to have a players union

Canadian Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This article caught my attention and is worth a read if you haven't seen it.

I wonder what kind of grievances you will see filed in regards to the education packages and compensation? I wonder if that zinger is too soon.

Mike Davies, Peterborough Examiner --- A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.

“The CHL is big business. They make millions of dollars a year and these kids make it for them,” said Slater. “Hockey Canada is a big part of this as well.”

If a 60 per cent majority of players accept the union, Slater says the CHL will have no choice but to recognize it by law.

“We're hoping to have a good working relationship,” she said.

It also sounds like some of the same arguments that you hear surrounding the NCAA are also being talked about by the CHL players. Some have argued that college and universities should play the NCAA players especially in NCAA football and basketball because their schools makes so much off of the fruits of their labor.

D'Agostini said a QMJHL player he trains with mentioned it one day but that's the extent of his knowledge. He admits to mixed feelings. He says players should be compensated for the use of their image and he wouldn't turn down more money but he says: “I can't complain about the things I have gotten out of this league. The experience of playing for Team Canada. Playing in the Subway Series. You're always decked out in nice gear and are given free stuff. I'm sure I have gone through thousands of dollars worth of hockey sticks alone. I know I have been well taken care of. I don't know what to say.”

Alex Mason’s goal...

s/t Ryaan S. Clark. Here is the video that everyone has been talking about on the Internet. Alex Mason who plays for Detroit Lakes has scored 37 points in 24 games for the Lakers. Mattson has also scored an eye popping 16 points in the last five games.

Mattson wants to play junior hockey in hopes of getting a scholarship to play college hockey.

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