Alumni in the Pros, January 2009

[andyw2100]

Thanks for the explanation.

[Jacob '06]

[quote Roy 82] I think that this situation is pretty standard and it is not necessary for one to take off a helmet just because the other does.[/quote]

I would argue that because Douglas took his helmet off it would be common courtesy for his opponent to also do the same. With the discussions going on around the league, fights may soon be ended when a helmet is lost. I don't know what would happen to the visor fighting issue then, but obviously something would have to change.

[ftyuv]

I may get attacked for being a wuss for this, but to me, the whole thing of the "etiquette" of fighting is a big part of the reason why I don't like fighting in pro hockey. I like that it's a high-octane sport, so when players get into actual "you're going down, asshole!" fights, I'm fine with it. But those kinds of fights don't have rules of etiquette, because the whole point of them is to express your anger in as primal a way as possible: beat the crap out of the guy you're angry at. The etiquette-filled fights -- the ones that start off with 10 seconds of calculated skating-around-and-sizing-up crap, are just cheap sideshows to hockey.

I guess what I'm saying is, if you want to fight a guy cause you're actually pissed off at him, then screw the etiquette -- just lunge after him with all you got and don't stop until they pry you off him.  If, on the other hand, you're calm enough to skate around him for 10 seconds in preparation, then just suck it up and keep playing. Give him an extra hard hit next time around if you're still sore about it.

[Flyers1037]

[quote Roy 82][quote andyw2100][quote cbuckser]As long as we're posting fight videos, here is the Murray-Stewart scrap.[/quote]

I really don't watch much NHL hockey. What's the etiquette on helmet removal before fighting? In the Murray fight, Murray had taken his helmet off, but Stewart didn't. It would seem this would give Stewart quite the edge in the fight, while at the same time saying, "I'm afraid of you." So...what's the deal?[/quote]

The deal is that Murray wears a visor and so is obligated to take his helmet off. Stewart does not wear a visor and is under no such obligation. I think that this situation is pretty standard and it is not necessary for one to take off a helmet just because the other does.[/quote]


There is nothing official about having to take off helmets (with or without visors).  Few people that fight in the NHL actually wear a visor, so it's rarely an issue.  It's just one of those common courtesies, like not punching the guy when you take him down to the ice.

[Jacob '06]

[quote Flyers1037][quote Roy 82][quote andyw2100][quote cbuckser]As long as we're posting fight videos, here is the Murray-Stewart scrap.[/quote]

I really don't watch much NHL hockey. What's the etiquette on helmet removal before fighting? In the Murray fight, Murray had taken his helmet off, but Stewart didn't. It would seem this would give Stewart quite the edge in the fight, while at the same time saying, "I'm afraid of you." So...what's the deal?[/quote]

The deal is that Murray wears a visor and so is obligated to take his helmet off. Stewart does not wear a visor and is under no such obligation. I think that this situation is pretty standard and it is not necessary for one to take off a helmet just because the other does.[/quote]


There is nothing official about having to take off helmets (with or without visors).  Few people that fight in the NHL actually wear a visor, so it's rarely an issue.  It's just one of those common courtesies, like not punching the guy when you take him down to the ice.[/quote]

There is actually a rule where you are punished further for "instigating" while wearing a visor, but this doesn't apply to mutually agreed to fights.

[KenP]

[quote ftyuv]I may get attacked for being a wuss for this, but to me, the whole thing of the "etiquette" of fighting is a big part of the reason why I don't like fighting in pro hockey. I like that it's a high-octane sport, so when players get into actual "you're going down, asshole!" fights, I'm fine with it. But those kinds of fights don't have rules of etiquette, because the whole point of them is to express your anger in as primal a way as possible: beat the crap out of the guy you're angry at. The etiquette-filled fights -- the ones that start off with 10 seconds of calculated skating-around-and-sizing-up crap, are just cheap sideshows to hockey.

I guess what I'm saying is, if you want to fight a guy cause you're actually pissed off at him, then screw the etiquette -- just lunge after him with all you got and don't stop until they pry you off him.  If, on the other hand, you're calm enough to skate around him for 10 seconds in preparation, then just suck it up and keep playing. Give him an extra hard hit next time around if you're still sore about it.[/quote]  You're a wuss.  ::twak::  That being said, I agree.

[tretiak]

steve moore and steve kampfer would like to disagree...while the song and dance in the nhl can be annoying, there needs to be some set of gentlemanly rules to police the most dangerous and cowardly acts in fighting

[KeithK]

[quote tretiak]steve moore and steve kampfer would like to disagree...while the song and dance in the nhl can be annoying, there needs to be some set of gentlemanly rules to police the most dangerous and cowardly acts in fighting[/quote]
You could just as easily have the league police things by issuing fines and suspensions for dangerous and cowardly acts.

[French Rage]

Let's face it, taking off the helmet is an advantage to Murray, he looks scarier without it.

[Josh '99]

[quote French Rage]Let's face it, taking off the helmet is an advantage to Murray, he looks scarier without it.[/quote]He's 6'3" 245 either way; I don't think the helmet hair adds much to his intimidation factor.