NAHL/Midget Showcase- Blaine,MN- 9/19-23

[FollowThePuck]

Understand your point. Keep in mind, some players need to do things to bring attention to themselves. They may be bubble players.

Didn't the Gophers recently offer to "one of the toughest players in the USHL"? I am referring to Stu Bickel. I am guessing he got in a scrap or two in the USHL. Trust me, he didn't get offered because he is a tremendous skater and play maker.

Also, there still is fighting in the pros. Not condoning fighting...........it's a part of that game (Boogaard).

Having watched Stu Bickel first hand living here in Sioux Falls, home of the 2006-2007 Clark Cup Champion Sioux Falls Stampede, Bickel was a terrific enforcer and team leader. Yeah, he did get in a few fights and he was usually dominant in those fights, it established him as someone you really didn't want to mess with and made other 'goons' think about going after the better offensive players on the team. As the season went on, the less fighting there was, at least for Sioux Falls. There were times Bickel wanted to fight and he got called out to fight several times but the coach held him back. There was a game here in Sioux Falls against Indiana where Indiana was out of control. They didn't look like they were there to play hockey. Two really big guys from Indiana kept challenging Bickel and others on the team. Coach told him to stand down and they did. They ended up winning that game like 10 to 2. It was a VERY rough game but with a lot of cheap shots and fighting at the beginning. The next night they played again and it was like it was two different teams. There were no incidents. Incidentally, the Indiana coach got let go not too long after that game.

Bickel, a defenseman, improved in every way as the year went on last year. His offensive game picked up as well at the end of the year. The Gophers should really enjoy Bickel the next 4 years. He was my favorite player on the Stampede.

Fighting has its moments. Yeah, sometimes it gets a little ridiculous but the 3,000+ fans at the Sioux Falls Arena sure get up and get loud when two guys square off. Coach Hartzell is not a fan of fighting at all but he thinks it has its time and place too.

[Walter Sojack]

The truth is: Tough, aggressive play - which may and often does include fighting - lets some players stand out on the ice who don't have the natural talent that the skilled players have. If you are a big player in the NAHL that may not have the foot speed or hands to keep up to the skilled players, you have to get noticed by your grit, toughness, etc. That usually means you have to drop the gloves on occassion.

I would argue that every successful team needs a (few) guy(s) like these. Look at Anaheim last year, they had the most fighting majors in the NHL.

Again, good hockey at this showcase.

[breakout]

Neither. Just play the game hard and smart and in the end it'll attract more players at the youth level and more fans in the stands.

If you don't think some of the players fight to gain attention you are sadly mistaken.

There are very few kids that are a big blip in the radar screen.

[breakout]

Neither. Just play the game hard and smart and in the end it'll attract more players at the youth level and more fans in the stands.

If you don't think some of the players fight to gain attention you are sadly mistaken.

There are very few kids that are a big blip in the radar screen.

Especially in the NAHL.

[MetCenterFan]

Well, if you can't put up the points, I guess you become a knucklehead and bare your knuckles on the ice to get noticed. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Funny, I wonder why this isn't the case with other sports.

[breakout]

Well, if you can't put up the points, I guess you become a knucklehead and bare your knuckles on the ice to get noticed. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Funny, I wonder why this isn't the case with other sports.

Because fighting is allowed in JR and Pro levels.

Personally, I would prefer that fighting be band from those ranks. I would much rather see skill and legal contact taking place.

[nickel slots]

There are two camps when it comes to fighting in hockey: you're either a fan of it or you despise it. There isn't any middle ground.

No matter what anybody says, Boogaard, Laroque and the rest of the NHL's fighters put fans in the stands. I was at the Wild game Tuesday night, and when Boogard was given the game misconduct, the crowd was peeved and the nature of the game changed.

If you're not a fan of fighting, Junior hockey probably isn't for you - Stick with high school and college hockey. If it gets your blood pumping to see two willing combatants go toe to toe, then junior hockey is a great place to get your fix.

[MetCenterFan]

Nikel, you're right. And that is why in many respects hockey will remain a cult sport.

[Blue&Gold]

Hey guys, watched an NBA game recently? Probably more fighting there than in a hockey game. In fact, if fighting were legitimized in B'Ball, then the crap that goes on would probably stop. I'd rather watch two guys square-up than play the nasty little play-groud cheap stuff that the NBA has.

I will add one little piece to the discussion: IF the refs actually called the games well, the fighting would be pretty much non-existant. Fighting is a self-policing process that happens when things are allowed to escalate. Allowing the guys to "go at it" allows the game to move at a faster pace instead of have a ref call every little thing that happens.

Most of the folks on here complain about refs calling games too tightly, that they should "let 'em play", but that comes with some costs, which includes some sort of ability to police the game.

[MetCenterFan]

B & G, I agree entirely with your points about officiating. The thing is, though, the reason fighting occurs in juniors and the pros is that the rules allow it to exist. Sure, you'll see the occasional scrap in high school and college games, as can happen in all sports, but the fact that fighting is not a part of these games is because it is severely punished. Why can't fighting be eliminated from the junior ranks? I don't think too many complain that the HS and college game is diminished by not sanctioning fighting.

[Can't Never Tried]

Sounding an awful lot like the watcher here MCF

[power92]

Sounding an awful lot like the watcher here MCF

You may be on to something CNT. Same M.O., but there isn't enough spelling or grammatical errors.

Everyone is on HIGH ALERT!

[Blue&Gold]

B & G, I agree entirely with your points about officiating. The thing is, though, the reason fighting occurs in juniors and the pros is that the rules allow it to exist. Sure, you'll see the occasional scrap in high school and college games, as can happen in all sports, but the fact that fighting is not a part of these games is because it is severely punished. Why can't fighting be eliminated from the junior ranks? I don't think too many complain that the HS and college game is diminished by not sanctioning fighting.

I have some experience with the USHL game, and I can tell you that it's not "just because it's allowed" with many teams. Last year Indy seemed to think it was their job to fight.. but for the rest of the league, it wasn't a given that a fight would happen. I saw probably 60+ USHL games last year, and saw maybe 10 fights... total.. and one was a goalie fight.

I will also add, that if you remove fighting, you have to put the players in full cages. I don't think that there is a coincedence that the juniors and the pros allow fighting, and they allow 1/2, or no shields. An example, if you want to get in a fight up in Canada playing juniors, bring your stick up.

Just a thought..

[Goldy Gopher]

B & G, I agree entirely with your points about officiating. The thing is, though, the reason fighting occurs in juniors and the pros is that the rules allow it to exist. Sure, you'll see the occasional scrap in high school and college games, as can happen in all sports, but the fact that fighting is not a part of these games is because it is severely punished. Why can't fighting be eliminated from the junior ranks? I don't think too many complain that the HS and college game is diminished by not sanctioning fighting.

Then don't watch Juniors or pros, you stick to your high school and college hockey and the rest of us will enjoy some amazing hockey, fights included.

[MetCenterFan]

Look, I love this game as much as anyone here, but I don't always like what I see with this sport. I can tell you that some fighting is done simply to change the momentum of the game. If a coach does that, IMO, it's a complete cop out and is a sign of a desperate coach, i.e. Indy. You don't see any other sport needing to use fighting in this regard. My feeling is that fighting has kept this sport from growing in popularity and to many at some levels it remains a goon game. And that, my friends, is a fact.

[Can't Never Tried]

Look, I love this game as much as anyone here, but I don't always like what I see with this sport. I can tell you that some fighting is done simply to change the momentum of the game. If a coach does that, IMO, it's a complete cop out and is a sign of a desperate coach, i.e. Indy. You don't see any other sport needing to use fighting in this regard. My feeling is that fighting has kept this sport from growing in popularity and to many at some levels it remains a goon game. And that, my friends, is a fact.

Hate to break it to ya here, but that is an opinion!

[Goldy Gopher]

Look, I love this game as much as anyone here, but I don't always like what I see with this sport. I can tell you that some fighting is done simply to change the momentum of the game. If a coach does that, IMO, it's a complete cop out and is a sign of a desperate coach, i.e. Indy. You don't see any other sport needing to use fighting in this regard. My feeling is that fighting has kept this sport from growing in popularity and to many at some levels it remains a goon game. And that, my friends, is a fact.

As long as an enjoyable product is continually put on the ice, I could care less what the general population thinks about hockey. The sport doesn't need to be popular for it to be fun to watch.

[Goldy Gopher]

Look, I love this game as much as anyone here, but I don't always like what I see with this sport. I can tell you that some fighting is done simply to change the momentum of the game. If a coach does that, IMO, it's a complete cop out and is a sign of a desperate coach, i.e. Indy. You don't see any other sport needing to use fighting in this regard. My feeling is that fighting has kept this sport from growing in popularity and to many at some levels it remains a goon game. And that, my friends, is a fact.

Hate to break it to ya here, but that is an opinion!

And that, my friends, is a fact.

[my2cents]

Now back to the Hockey:

I saw the USNTDP vs Texas Tornadoes game on Wednesday evening. US team won 3-1 - all goals by both teams were on power plays.

General Observations:

The Texas team was a bit bigger and stronger and just as fast - no surprise as all but one player had a 1988 birth date. The US team (1990's) was over-all quicker and more agile and had the better special team play, crisper passing and quicker puck movement. The defense handle and move the puck sure and quick. Some players that impressed me were Mericic (G), Hegarty (D), Schroeder (F), Pryor (D), Hayes (F), Sapporini (F).

Schroeder was paired with Kristo. Their line was used as the primary penalty kill line and they also put on the most pressure while 5 on 5. This is the first time I have seen Kristo. He is a good skater and made the nicest play of the game splitting the D on a breakaway. Schroeder is a complete player and is very strong on his feet. He seems to play at a quicker tempo than anyone else. Pryor had a very nice game and is skilled at clearing the zone under pressure.

The US team is made of players that seem to be cut from the same mold - quick, agile, good vision and mistake-free. They pass up low percentage shots and work very hard at both ends to make good plays. It woud be fun to see them play a slightly lower team where they would have a little more room to work and show their stuff.

[MetCenterFan]

Who gives a rip about the quality of play. Were there any good fights?

[Goldy Gopher]

Who gives a rip about the quality of play. Were there any good fights?

What planet have you been on the last couple days? Everyone has said that they enjoy watching good quality hockey, and that fights don't take away from the quality like you seem to think they do. I'll be there for the 5:15 game between Texas Attack and Little Caesars come find me so that you can give me some more of your deep hockey insight.

[MetCenterFan]

Why eliminating fighting is good
• More drawing power. The game would become more family-friendly and could attract a new group of fans.

• Improved national image. Sportscasters would have to show video of goals and saves instead of fights. Right now, those highlights make fighting seem more prevalent than it is.

• Safer. The league won't have to live with the knowledge that someone likely will be seriously injured in a hockey fight.

• More roster options. Fighters with low skill level could be replaced with scorers.

• Good for business. Some sponsors who don't like the NHL's image might sign on.

• "My honest answer is that if you (legislated fighting out of the game), there would be an adjustment period, but I think the league would be fine."

— Nashville Predators general manager David Poile

[Rbkhockey21]

Why eliminating fighting is good
• More drawing power. The game would become more family-friendly and could attract a new group of fans.

• Improved national image. Sportscasters would have to show video of goals and saves instead of fights. Right now, those highlights make fighting seem more prevalent than it is.

• Safer. The league won't have to live with the knowledge that someone likely will be seriously injured in a hockey fight.

• More roster options. Fighters with low skill level could be replaced with scorers.

• Good for business. Some sponsors who don't like the NHL's image might sign on.

• "My honest answer is that if you (legislated fighting out of the game), there would be an adjustment period, but I think the league would be fine."

— Nashville Predators general manager David Poile

You might as well just give up on this subject MCF..honestly you are just beating a dead horse here. We ALL know that you dislike the fighting that you have brought up here, and quite frankly lots of people (maybe not everyone) think that what you are trying to say about fighting making hockey not as popular is just your opinion. Ever since I can remember, fighting has just been another great asset to the great game of hockey. IT IS PART OF THE GAME! It's not what "hockey" is about its just part of the game. When you compare hockey to other sports such as football, or baseball it comes up short..not because of fighting, but because its just not AS big with some people as it is with us die-hard hockey fans here in minnesota and in some other states. It's Hockey...the greatest game on earth, fighting or no fighting!

[Can't Never Tried]

What planet have you been on the last couple days? .

I'm gonna guess Jupiter.

It's been said, It happens, It always has, and will continue.
IT'S A PART OF THE GAME!

[jackstraw]

Did Dave Poile just sign a contract to do "Hockey Night In Canada"? Or was it "Hockey Night In Nashville". That should be quite a hit too. MCF should e-mail his opinions to Mr. Cherry himself!