Talking With Messier About Fighting In Hockey

Fighting in hockey is always a hot topic.  However, due to some recent injuries and an unfortunate death last season, attention has been turned to whether or not players should be allowed to remove their helmets during fights.

I have my opinions on fighting in hockey, but rather than ramble on with my thoughts, why not ask one of the legends of the game?

So, I asked Mark Messier about his thoughts on the subject.

Messier fought no less than 19 times over the course of his career in the National Hockey League.  In addition, his son Lyon had a couple of fights last season as professional player in the Central Hockey League. This gives Mark, what I believe is, a unique perspective on the topic – addressing the subject from the view of both a player and a parent.

In addition, Messier also has first hand experience on the topic considering one of the first NHL fights of his career was with Dennis Ververgaert in 1980.  In this fight Messier was wearing a helmet, while Ververgaert was not. Messier landed several hard left hands, taking Ververgaert to the ice.  Fortunately, they were both okay.

However, if you watch the video , you will see that there is not much difference in the way that Ververgert fell compared to how Columbus’  Tommy Sestito hit the ice and was injured following a fight with Jordin Tootoo this pre-season.

Without any further adieu.

Messier On Fighting

NHL Digest: Do you have a position on fighting in the NHL?  In particular, what is your reaction to taking helmets off during fights?

Messier: Fighting in hockey has been debated for many years by team officials, players, experts, and fans. The one constant in all the discussions is that there are no easy answers or solutions. As a former player, fighting was an accepted aspect of the game. Of course when I first started, very few games were televised around the country, and every move the league or teams made was not scrutinized by millions of viewers.

Over the last few decades, fighting in hockey has changed tremendously. In the 70’s fighting really hit its peak, being lead by the Broad Street Bullies in Philadelphia. The Flyers were the Stanley Cup Champions and played a very aggressive in-your-face game, which often lead to fisticuffs on the ice. Bench clearing brawls were the norm, and of course, all this trickled down to the minor leagues and even into the grass roots level.

The 80’s followed with an invasion of highly skilled European players that started to make their way over to play in the NHL. And soon after came the games Greatest player ever in Wayne Gretzky, who possessed a game of skill and awareness that had never been seen before. Led by Wayne, the Edmonton Oilers became the benchmark for success, adopting a highly skilled, fast skating game, which forced the rest of the league to change their philosophy from a grinding up and down your wing, to a skating, interweaving game that resembled a more European style.

The league took tremendous steps to reduce fighting and eliminate bench clearing brawls. Requiring players to return to their benches as soon as a fight broke out and the institution of many other new rules greatly reduced the number of fights that took place in any particular game.

While the focus now is on a more skilled, high tempo game, fighting is still a topic of conversation, particularly when a player is hurt as a result of the fight. Players are bigger and stronger than ever, and have taken the skill of fighting to a new level. Hockey is a great game of passion, skill, discipline, courage and heart. However, in addition to these great attributes, intimidation has always played and will continue to play a part in the game.

One of the latest problems associated with fighting is players taking their helmets off before engaging in a fight. One of the reasons for this was the mandatory visor rule that was implemented in amateur hockey, much like the hockey helmet was back in 1979. Because of the shields and full cages, taking the helmets off became a way of showing respect and bravado.

Hockey, like life, is ever changing and evolving. We as a league must always have the best interests in our minds and hearts for the players, teams and fans. The changes that have taken place over the last 30 years have made our game better than ever. We will continue to make the necessary changes to ensure we not only protect our players, but provide the fans with the best product and entertainment possible.

Fighting has always been a part of hockey, and I personally believe that it will continue to be one aspect of our game. Part of what makes hockey so entertaining is that it requires physical and mental toughness. But as the game continues to evolve, I believe that player safety and better protection need to be our top priority. If that means instituting a rule – like Hockey Canada – that makes it mandatory to keep your helmet on in a fight, I would support it.

Messier On Head Protection

The Messier Project, my new collaboration with Cascade Sports, is committed to elevating head protection in hockey and we are working to change priorities in the sport. A helmet and its protective technology are just as important – if not more important – than the skates you wear or the stick you use.

In developing the M11, I worked very closely with the innovators at Cascade Sports to bring a player’s perspective to the design. One of the features I am most proud of is the ProFit system, which I think ties into this conversation.

During game play and especially if a player engages in a fight, it is extremely important that the helmet stays on to prevent potential head injury due to a blow to the head or the more serious threat of a player’s head hitting the ice.

The Pro Fit system creates a 360 degree fit- tapering the entire helmet in around the head for a snug, “toque” feel. When your helmet fits right, it is safer on impact and when adjusted properly, a good fit increases the level of protection the helmet offers. From a performance perspective, the M11 ProFit allows a player to fine-tune the fit and adjust it on the fly based on the situation and environment.

Thank you for your question. It is conversations and questions like these that are so important to the evolution and continued success of our game.

With respect,
Mark Messier

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Mark’s take on fighting in hockey is not simplistic. He is certainly passionate about the game and his venture with the Messier Project really is about protecting players.

He mentions that he would support a rule to keep helmets on during a fight.  This makes sense, but if that were the case, I certainly wouldn’t want to fight anyone with a Dany Heatley sized visor!

Maybe a quick-release visor could be developed?  That would be sure to appease both the “no fighting with a visor crowd” and the “keep your helmet on during a fight” crowd.

Hmmmm…maybe I just gave Mark and Cascade Sports an idea for the next big thing in hockey? I’m sure my check is in the mail!

Brett Hull’s Unbreakable Scoring Record

It came as no surprise when Brett Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this year.  Hull won 2 Stanley Cups (Even if his foot was in the crease) and was among the most prolific pure goal scorers of his era, putting him among some very impressive company.

Hull amassed almost 1400 points in 1269 games and 19 seasons in the National Hockey League. 741 were goals.

Through the course of his career, Hull played in 8 All-Star Games, led the league in goals three times, captured the Lady Byng Trophy, Hart Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Awards. Pretty impressive resume!

A Career Year

Following the 1990-91 season, when Brett Hull won the Hart Trophy, he was elevated to the upper echelon of goal scorers in the National Hockey League.

It has previously been mentioned that Hull’s 1990-91 season may be the best goal scoring performance in modern hockey.  No, it’s not the most goals that have ever been scored in a season, but the argument for best scoring performance can certainly be made given the following facts:

During the 1990-91 season Brett Hull led the NHL in the following categories:

• Goals Scored – 86
• Goals per Game – 1.10
• Even Strength Goals – 57
• Game Winning Goals – 11
• Power Play Goals – 29
• Empty Net Goals – 0
• Shots on Goal – 389

Following Hull in the goal scoring race that season was a three-way tie for second between Cam Neeley, Theoren Fleury and Steve Yzerman- each notching 51 goals.

How Impressive Was Hull That Season?

Making Hull’s feat even more impressive is that he led the goal scoring race by an amazing 35 Goals! What is even more amazing is that only 22 players in the entire NHL had more than 35 total goals that season.

To put the margin of victory into perspective, Hull outscored his nearest opponent by more than 68%.

No player since Hull’s 86 goal campaign has scored more than 76 goals in one season and only one player in the past 12 seasons (Alexander Ovechkin) has scored more than 60 goals in a year.

Only Wayne Gretzky has ever scored more than 86 goals in one NHL season. Gretzky accomplished it twice, once in 1981-82 with 92 goals and again in  1983-84 with 87 goals. In 1983-84 Gretzky led his nearest opponent, Michel Goulet, by 31 goals.

There are many records out there that some say will never be broken. I believe Hull’s margin of victory in goals during 1990-91 should be included in those conversations.

What do you think?

The Biggest Trade In Hockey History

August 9 marks the anniversary of the biggest trade in the history of the National Hockey League.

Edmonton Trades Wayne Gretzky

On August 9, 1988 Wayne Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley were traded to the Los Angeles Kings from Edmonton in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three first round draft choices (1989, 1991, 1993) and cash.

Here are some video clips of the Press Conference and how Edmonton fans reacted:

The Media Burst That Followed

Both Peter Pocklington and Wayne Gretzky made a “business decision” according to Gretzky, but here are some quotes from newspapers at the time of the trade more than 20 years ago.

Janet Jones-Gretzky from the Edmonton Sun on August 12, 1988

“I never intended to talk. But let’s talk,” said Janet.
“The story of the trade as presented by Peter Pocklington is false. Pocklington is the reason Wayne’s gone.
‘To see Wayne hurt like this hurts me. That’s why I’m making the call to you. But everything is getting out of hand.’
“I know the real story. I know the whole story. I know Wayne didn’t deserve any of this. He wouldn’t let Edmonton fans, Canada and, most important, his teammates down without good reason.”

Mike Perricone, Chicago Sun-Times, August 14, 1988

“If Gretzky can’t sell hockey in the U.S., no one can.”

Sports Illustrated, August 22, 1988

“I knew this thing would be big,” Gretzky said, putting down the phone. “But I had no idea it would be this big.”

Canada’s New Democratic Party House leader Nelson Riis

” Wayne Gretzky is a national symbol, like the beaver. How can we allow the sale of our national symbols? The Edmonton Oilers without Wayne Gretzky is like…Wheel of Fortune without Vanna White.”

The Return of The Great One

Gretzky and Los Angeles Kings returned to Edmonton on October 20, 1988.

In one of the most anticipated homecomings in the history of professional sports, the Great One scored on his first shift.

That spring, Gretzky and the Kings eliminated the Oilers from the playoffs.

On October 15, 1989, Gretzky made his most heroic return visit of all. In front of cheering fans at Northlands Coliseum, he broke Gordie Howe’s NHL all-time points record by scoring his 1,850th and 1,851st point.

Will it be Mr. Wonderful or Mr. Balsillie for the Phoenix Coyotes?

Hockey in the desert. A beautiful building in an inconvenient location. An owner/coach. One playoff series since 2000. A disadvantaged lease and poor attendance.  In this economy, is it any wonder that the Phoenix Coyotes have ended up in Chapter 11?  Quite unexpected, is the guerilla bid by Blackberry magnate Jim Balsillie and attempt to circumvent league rules on ownership and relocation and a distraction from an otherwise great spring for hockey.

The Court Hearing Issues

The hearing May 19 revealed several fundamental issues:

1. Who has control of the franchise?
2.  What is the nature of the franchise? Is it a franchise only in Arizona, one with unlimited relocation rights, or one with relocation rights pending Board of Governors approval?
3.  Can a league enforce territorial rights and dictate ownership, or can a court overrule these rights?

The judge’s decision to order Moyes and the NHL into mediation was a shrewd one and allows both parties to save face- something the NHL was doing for Jerry Moyes until his sudden Chapter 11 filing May 5. The court-ordered mediation is to determine whether Moyes or the league have control of the team and is a step to avoid a contentious court battle that would require the major players (Moyes, Bettman, Daly, et al) to answer questions under oath and answer to accusations of each side being a liar in court documents.

NHL Prepares for Bankruptcy Court

The NHL made a significant shift during the trial, conceding that the Coyotes are heading for an auction and bankruptcy court may be a suitable venue, even if Moyes lacked the authority to actually place the Coyotes in bankruptcy. This also removes the ability of Moyes or the league to set a reserve price on the franchise.

One interesting non-participant during the proceedings was the NHLPA, who have strongly supported a seventh Canadian franchise. Section 2018 (d) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code specifically gives labor unions the right to be a part of proceedings regarding any reorganization plans and how the plans impact their constituents. Since Mr. Balsillie attended the hearing without true standing before the and a litigator for the NFL addressed the judge, this is a surprising quiet position from the NHLPA.

The Relocation Issue

As expected, the city of Glendale asserted its rights as leaseholder before the judge and asked to be added to the list of nonsecured creditors if he rules that the franchise is a mobile asset. In that case, the lease could be broken and the $500 million penalty imposed. Like the Pittsburgh Penguins fighting the SEA during their 1999 bankruptcy for the right to relocate, Glendale does have both precedent and experience on their side.  The major risks to their claim are the discretionary powers of a bankruptcy judge to nullify contracts and a Congressional cap on punitive damages at one year’s rent ($500,000)- which has been untested in a case like this.

The determination of whether the franchise itself is mobile also has far-reaching implications in the quantity and type of bids received in the auction. If the franchise is a mobile asset, total liabilities jump to $610 million from the current $108,401,367.79 million (to the top 40 unsecured creditors per the filing) due to Glendale’s claim.  Under any scenario, secured creditors of $95 million will be paid first.  

• Under Balsillie’s plan, Gretzky will also receive a payout of $22.5 million If Glendale’s claim is upheld, Balsillie’s plan will pay $95,000,000 among $610,000,000 of claims, or 15.61%. 
• Reinsdorf’s reported bid of $130 million does not breach the lease or include a payment to Gretzky.  This plan leaves $35 million to be paid among the $108 million held by unsecured creditors, or 32.29%. It’s also likely that another ownership group eyeing a different location outside of Phoenix will step forward and outbid Balsillie. 

 So even if the judge rules against the NHL in the relocation arguments and opens the door for the Hamilton Coyotes, remember that the judge has the sole responsibility of making as many creditors whole as possible.

NHL Raises The Stakes!

The NHL raised its line of credit from $70 million to $200 million Monday, citing low interest rates and the need to be prepared for the future. These reasons seem hollow and the timing suspect at best.  A US bank holds the credit, whose rates are directly impacted by the Federal Reserve. The next scheduled Fed meeting regarding rates is June 23-24, or well after the Cup finals. If interest rates were the true motive, they will likely still be there after the Cup is awarded and the deal did not have to be executed the day before the first major hearing. 

Could the NHL potentially be a bidder to stabilize a market they obviously believe in? Could they be ready to run the team and bankroll its operations throughout a prolonged legal battle? Or is the financial health of other franchises far worse than anyone knows, with this being the first of many dominos to fall during the recession?

Balsillie’s Calculated Bet

Balsillie has taken a calculated risk with this strategy. The Board of Governors requires a three quarters vote (23 of 30) to approve a new owner, and they won’t quickly forget that Phoenix is #5 on the hit list. It’s unlikely that the previous four franchises would affirm his ownership. MLSE and Buffalo are wildcards, with true claims to territorial infringement. MLSE has made statements implying that there could be a satisfactory financial arrangement.

It’s doubtful that Buffalo would feel similarly, with recent estimates attributing 15-20% of revenues to southern Ontario. For a smaller market recently out of bankruptcy, this could spell long-term ruin. While other owners may see the revenue southern Ontario can bring, questions of trust regarding Balsillie and his methodology will remain.

Balsillie’s strategy is based upon a PR campaign to tap into nationalistic pride. He neglects to mention his play for the Ottawa Senators with hopes of moving them to Hamilton and instead reinforces the common stereotype of “Canada v Bettman.” He is banking that a league still in damage-control from the ultimate PR disaster of the cancelled 2004-05 season will eventually capitulate to quiet the media storm and save face.   What he didn’t certainly expect was the entry of NFL, MLB, and NBA into the fray with their combined influence, deep pockets, and army of litigators. 

Can one man rock the boat in all of mainstream professional sports?

It looks to be a tall task and one that would challenge anti-trust law more than bankruptcy law.  While the Canadian Competition Committee has sided with the NHL’s practices, the NHL lacks an anti-trust exemption in the US like MLB owns.  Balsillie may lose this battle, but his war is more appropriate for a different court of law.  Furthermore, precedent is based on older case law and now might be the time to challenge it before a progressive judge.  Balsillie may have led Moyes down the wrong path as a cohort, as Moyes stands to lose far more than he can gain.

What Is Moyes’ Angle?

Moyes’ gamble is also a tricky one. He certainly is tied personally and professionally to a sinking ship. Even if he didn’t have control May 5, the team was bankrupt without the tag.  The NHL strategy of keeping things quiet during the season was to protect the Coyotes and NHL brands and keep sponsorship and fan money flowing into Phoenix. If their true woes had been disclosed, corporate sponsorships would’ve likely dried up, and fans would have been less likely to support a lame duck team with their lean entertainment dollars.  By taking this to bankruptcy court, Moyes may lose nearly everything he’s invested in the team- unless a Mr. Wonderful appears.

Rumors have surfaced that minority owner John Breslow may be preparing a bid for the team to keep it in Phoenix.  When Mario Lemieux bought the Pittsburgh Penguins out of bankruptcy in 1999, he turned his $31million in deferred salary into ownership of the team, worth an estimated $100 million at the time.  Where did the rest of the money come from? Mr. Wonderful, a majority owner with deep pockets and a love for hockey, as Lemieux referred to him prior to presenting the bid to open court.  A quick look at the four teams still playing this spring shows that things worked out wonderfully for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Does Phoenix have a Mr. Wonderful ready to ride in on a white horse to keep the team in place, or will the players be packing their bags for Hamilton with Mr. Balsillie to become the seventh NHL franchise?

This article has been contributed to NHL Digest exclusively by a legal source well versed in diplomacy, international relations and mitigation. Because of confidentiality agreements and security clearances, the source must remain annonymous. 

Please feel free to direct any questions via the website comments section.

Wayne Gretzky Fights

The Great One drops the gloves on December 22, 1982 versus the Minnesota North Star’s Neal Broten and loses a decisive battle. I’m glad that TSN brought this Gretzky highlight out of the archives! Enjoy.

As brought to our attention by a reader, Gretzky fought two other times.
1.) Doug Lecuyer – Chicago on March 14, 1980
2.) Bob Murray – Chicago on March 7, 1984

Who Are Your Favorite Hockey Idols?

This article was submitted by NHL Digest columnist Kyle Roussel.  Feel free to catch up with Kyle at http://twitter.com/kyleroussel.

The Importance of Idols

We all had idols. We probably still do, no matter how old we are.

When we were kids, we wanted to replicate their feats on the ice. They type of person they were rarely factored in to the equation. In fact, we barely knew what these people were like off the ice. If we were fortunate enough to meet them in person, you could barely contain yourself.

However, in the days of the internet and 24/7 sports coverage, we now sometimes know more than we’d like to. Or ought to. It makes it that much harder for some guys to stand out when there are so many in the media salivating and waiting to dig up dirt and to get a headline.

Now that were older, and clearly not skilled enough to ever play a minute of pro hockey, we instead look to other qualities our idols have. Instead of hoping to some day surpass their stat totals, we now try to live our lives by the qualities we see in them.

My Hockey Idols

I’m going to list my 5 hockey idols and associate them with 1 word that I think they have, and that I try to add to my life.

1. Jean Beliveau – class
2. Bob Gainey – integrity
3. Saku Koivu – determination
4. Steve Yzerman – commitment
5. Wayne Gretzky – vision (not just for his on-ice vision, but as a coach, GM, executive and “entrepreneur”

Other Sports Idols

Honorable mentions from other sports: Robert Smith, Marv Levy, and Tony Dungy. 1 player and 2 coaches that I have lots of time for. In the case of Marv Levy, I would recommend that you pick up his book “Where Else Would You Rather Be?” by Levy. A terrific read.

Who are your 5 idols? Or even 3?  Maybe you have a 10 person list. Whatever that list is, let’s see it!

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