When something occurs in the world of hockey you can expect social media to blow up with opinions on the latest and greatest news.
Brendan Shanahan was announced at the NHL’s Vice President of Hockey and Business Development and head disciplinarian in late 2009. This summer her tool over Colin Campbell’s job as the National Hockey League’s chief player disciplinarian.
Colin Campbell has handled many high profile incidents over the years, including a year suspension to Marty McSorely for a hit on Donald Brashear. He also handled the much publicized Todd Bertuzzi hit on Steve Moore. However, Campbell was constantly making inconsistent calls and was involved in a controversy for favouring his son’s team, the Boston Bruins (which is how he lost his job).
Shanahan has made more suspensions in the pre season that were made in the whole regular season that year. He has suspended 9 players resulting in $719,249.99 of forfeited salary. These 9 players have missed a total of 29 pre season games and will sit out for 31 regular season games.
That said, I’ve come across bloggers such as Marcello and The Pens Blog staff who believe retired NHL winger, Brendan Shanahan is ruining hockey. They argue that he is calling too many suspensions that should not have been called.
I, like many other hockey fans love the thrill of seeing a good fight on the ice, but at the end of day the safety of a player is what is most important.
In my opinion, Brendan Shanahan is doing the right thing by making all these suspensions. He is being consistent, unlike Campbell.
Many people think he is being too harsh, but I feel if he doesn’t stick to the punishments he is handing out players won’t learn. NHL players think they can get away with hit without being penalized, while victim suffer career changing injuries.
Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look.
David Perron, who was hit by Joe Thornton missed 72 games, while Thornton only received a 2-game suspension.
Vancouver Canuck, Mason Raymond wasn’t sure if he would ever get back on the ice after suffering a vertebral compression fracture after getting hit into the boards by Johnny Boychuk. Boychuk did not receive a penalty or suspension. Instead, he sent an apology to Raymond late July via text!
Three games before this, Aaron Rome sidelined Boychuk’s teammate Nathan Horton. Horton suffered what supposedly was a severe concussion (which I still believed was played up, but that’s a different argument) resulting in a 4-game suspension for Rome. The funny thing was that Horton was angry because Rome apologized through a text message. Can you say a bit hypocritical?
Mark Savard, who was hit by Matt Hunwick, Derek Engelland, and later elbowed by Matt Cooke has missed 98 regular season games throughout 2 seasons. Hunwick and Engelland’s hits were clear. While Cooke was never penalized, Savard may never play again.
Most people are aware that since the blind side hit by David Steckel (who was not penalized), Sidney Crosby suffered a concussion. During a game against Tampa Bay Lightning, Crosby was then sent heard first into the glass by Victor Hedman. In result, Crosby has yet to return with the 2011-2012 season starting tomorrow here in Vancouver.
Shanahan has made the punishment for boarding penalties more strict and illegalized and hits targeting the head.
All teams and players must be aware that if they are going to play rough and injure other players to an extent then they have to suffer the consequences.
Shanahan says:
“It’s simply to be transparent to our players and to teach them, to educate them, and get their attention” … “I try to remain as balanced as I can but at the same time try and always remember that while the department wants the game physical and wants the game passionate, we also want it to be safe as possible”.
If that’s the case then I am relieved that someone who actually cares for the overall safety of the players is the chief disciplinarian. We can’t be risking the health of some of the most valuable players in the league just because it is coming in the way of the game.
Mr. Shanahan, I for one am behind you 100%
(To keep track of suspensions throughout the season made by Shanahan check out: www.shanabans.com)
[Photo by Dinur]
The reason why I gave my post the headline that I did is because is it easy to search for and isn’t just some random headline, but exactly what my post is talking about.
