Hockey Fight Club
A Canadian summer hockey camp has recently been set up to teach the "science" of ice hockey fighting for players between the ages of 12 and 18.
Hockey has had a long history of mayhem in the professional ranks. Fights that erupt between players are seen by many as an inevitable, even favorable part of the game. Naturally, these tendencies are picked up by impressionable youngsters in an attempt to emulate their heroes. With the high impact nature of the sport, along with its resident "goons" or "enforcers" who mete out punishment with on-ice fisticuffs, some kids are justifiably fearful of getting busted up during a game.
Enter Trevor Lakness, the general manager for Puckmasters, a hockey training center franchise, and Derek Boogaard, a professional player with the Minnesota Wild, to come up with the idea for a hockey fight camp. At 6'7 255 lbs., it's tough to imagine anyone giving Boogaard much of a challenge, on or off the ice. But supporters insist that the camp is really about instilling confidence in kids through teaching self defense techniques should a fight break out during a game.
Says Lakness: "It's no different than karate - why do people put their kids in karate? It's protection, it's an art."
The Art of Ice Hockey Fighting. You can't make this stuff up.
Hockey has had a long history of mayhem in the professional ranks. Fights that erupt between players are seen by many as an inevitable, even favorable part of the game. Naturally, these tendencies are picked up by impressionable youngsters in an attempt to emulate their heroes. With the high impact nature of the sport, along with its resident "goons" or "enforcers" who mete out punishment with on-ice fisticuffs, some kids are justifiably fearful of getting busted up during a game.
Enter Trevor Lakness, the general manager for Puckmasters, a hockey training center franchise, and Derek Boogaard, a professional player with the Minnesota Wild, to come up with the idea for a hockey fight camp. At 6'7 255 lbs., it's tough to imagine anyone giving Boogaard much of a challenge, on or off the ice. But supporters insist that the camp is really about instilling confidence in kids through teaching self defense techniques should a fight break out during a game.
Says Lakness: "It's no different than karate - why do people put their kids in karate? It's protection, it's an art."
The Art of Ice Hockey Fighting. You can't make this stuff up.
Labels: children, news article
posted by John Vesia at 8/16/2007 12:51:00 AM
10 Comments:
I think Trevor needs to take karate for a year and see if he changes his mind.
~BCP
Hey sensei,
I remember my boss saying :
"My sons will never go in karate. It's too violent."
heads up dude : this is ice hockey.
It wasn't always that way. Always a rough game, it's more and more rough as time goes by. Following the lockout a few years ago, rules were supposed to be stiffer and penalities should have gone up.
reality is : it's like a wrestling match where the referee looks the other way. In major league.
In the minors, you wouldn't believe the quantity of fights there is. It's ridiculous. Part of the show are the fights. Some guys are there for that. They can't even skate!!! They're on the bench for the whole game, then, the two goons circle each other(with much limited skill) and BAM, you've got a fight.
That's sad...
Hey, I'm canadian. The first thing we say before mama and papa is "hockey"
I just may be the father with kids that don't play ice hockey. Or only until age 14. Then, all hell breaks loose.
:)
cheers!
If it is organized and works, on the ice, then it could be a self-defense form.
As to an art? I feel it takes a bit more time and experience before it becomes an art.
I don't really consider Isshinryu an art form yet. I do consider it a path or way of travel for a person. As a side it is a combat form as well.
2 cents :-)
Hmmm, brutal, kicking in teeth with bladed shoes fighting as an art form? Got me. Well, you know, karate is pretty violent, especially when the kids really start practicing their kicks at high speeds (hee, hee). Yup, think that guy needs to view more karate classes...
karrie
Bob:
You think he'd last a year?
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Mat:
Always a rough game, it's more and more rough as time goes by. Following the lockout a few years ago, rules were supposed to be stiffer and penalities should have gone up.
Is it worse now than before? What's interesting is that in the Olympics, fighting during a hockey game is met with far heavier consequences than in the NHL.
Hey, I'm Canadian. The first thing we say before mama and papa is "hockey".
Hockey in Canada is like TKD in Korea. Hey I've got an idea: They should award colored belts for those kids in that goon school. What d'ya think?
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Charles:
If it is organized and works, on the ice, then it could be a self-defense form.
Think about it: It must be tough to fight on the ice. Even if you're really good on skates, there's still that compromise of balance or being rooted.
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Somaserious:
Hmmm, brutal, kicking in teeth with bladed shoes fighting as an art form?
It really is brutal. Ever see some of those hockey players' faces after a few years on the ice? Crooked noses, missing teeth (many), scar tissue, the works.
Have you ever fought a hockey player? They're tough and effective; just not really pretty when they fight. Don't underestimate them.
Rick:
Have you ever fought a hockey player?
Just once. I used ki-energy to melt the ice and drown the sucker. Hockey players make lousy swimmers.
" Rick:
Have you ever fought a hockey player?
Just once. I used ki-energy to melt the ice and drown the sucker. Hockey players make lousy swimmers."
What???
Humour???
LOLOLOL
I am a HUGE hockey fan. Rick Tocchet was my favorite player and he was a brutal fighter. I was a little girl when the Flyers were better known as the Broad Street Bullies. I don't personally have a problem with the fighting. I do think it's an art! How many of us could fight on ice skates??? ;-)
But for those who complain now, it's a whole lot different than it was back then. Back in the day the pads were barely existant if at all, and most players were missing half their teeth. Now they're so protected that I don't even know why they really bother.
What I DON'T like is the dirty fighting-like hits when the player is looking the other way that knock them out, etc. That's dirty and unfair, but I like the fights. Just my 2 cents as a hockey chick. ;-)
I can't be the only Canadian who doesn't care for hockey, am I?
I'd better hide from society, and place a paper bag on my head if I am.
I never could appreciate chasing a little black puck around the ice at whirlwind speeds... but then I'm not a fan of football, and soccer either.
Hockey fighting? Well... o.k... But I won't be seen training in that Art soon.
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