NHL to Crack Down on Head Shots

BOCA RATON, Fla.—It won't happen until next season, which is too bad.

The new rule on head shots approved today by the NHL's general managers won't kick in until the 2010-11 season, which means there could be another incident like Sunday's Matt Cooke-Marc Savard ugliness during this regular season or the playoffs with the league helpless to do much about it.

"It's impossible to say to the referees, this is a call you now have to make tonight," said NHL vice-president Colin Campbell today.

First, the players and referees have to be educated and trained on the new head shot rule. The the rule must also be approved by the NHL's competition committee and the board of governors, both of which will happen in June.

That said, if there's an incident tonight or next week that mirrors the Mike Richards hit on David Booth last fall, the hit that finally changed the thinking of most GMs, there's going to be an outcry.

"People are going to be asking why didn't we do anything," agreed Leafs GM Brian Burke.

As reported in The Star today, the new rule will have three components:

• a hit primarily to the head from the side or the back will be illegal. One from the front which sees the shoulder contact the head is still okay.

• a minor or major penalty will be assessed. It's also possible a game misconduct could be tacked on.

• serious offences will likely include supplementary discipline, with an emphasis on repeat offenders.

"We're taking what is now a completely legal hit in our rulebook and saying that in the future its illegal if it is to the head," said Campbell.

The vote by the GMs was unanimous. Campbell, meanwhile, said he still hasn't decided whether to take action on the Cooke incident. Speculation is that there will be a hearing and Cooke — already suspended twice previously this season — will be reprimanded, but there will be no suspension 

The league also approved a measure to fund the implementation of the four-man officiating system in the American Hockey League next season. The NHL will provide about $600,000 to the AHL, which will use the four-man system in about 40 per cent of the regular season next year and the playoffs.

Comments

[steve]

Under the current rules, Cooke's hit was crystal clear clean.

I don't like the change, but at least straight-on hits (Stevens on Lindros) will remain legal. The only difference is side hits, a la Cooke, since hits from behind are [rightly] already illegal, however dubiously they're called.

[Wade Eyre]

Are we kidding? Next Season? I love hockey as much as the next guy and love checking even more! However when are we are role models going to take responsibility for what we teach our children. So, now its illegal, well that changes everything! Now I know for almost killing a guy and causing brain damage I'm looking at a minor or major and maybe a game misconduct! Wow I am so scared!! Does anyone running the NHL actually have a brain or were they hit early on in thier careers!

[James Jones]

Simple, Cooke should be suspended for as long as Marc Savard cannot play. Since very few people go to see Cooke play, Boston should also have the option of 'suspending' any player on Pittsburg tney sees fit, My guess is that Crosby would suspended as long as Savard is injured. Also, the Pittsburg coach should pay the fine, out of his own wallet. If Savard cannot play for the rest of the season, I guess that Crosby should not play for the rest of the season. too bad. THEN, and only THEN will goons go way of the dinosaur.

[bob m]

Punk culture..........punk game.

[Adam B]

Who are they kidding? Thuggery is thuggery. Compared to the goon style fight-filled NHL, the Olympic hockey was a joy to watch. And it proves the lie that fighting is a part of NHL hockey. It's no such thing. It's a bad choice, same as not banning certain forms of contact. Like hits to the head, wherever they come from.

[Sanj]

March 18th will be payback time. Pens visit the Bruins. Crosby and Malkin better be careful. Headshots could be coming their way. Let the games begin!!

[CanadianGeorge]

The reason it won't take effect until next year is because of the Board of Governors approval pending in June? WHY? No phones, email, courier etc to get their approval now before someone else gets seriously injured?

[random]

Good to see, Hockey Canada has had Check to the Head and Checking from behind penalties for a couple years now, and most players in minor hockey don't mind it, keeps it safer

[bob m]

Co dependent media, Nhl , punk culture . Lotsa money and Excitement in violence and blood.

[Bill from Barrie]

I dislike basketball, very much so. So you know what I don't do? Watch it. I don't piss and moan about what they can do to make it better for me, or talk on the radio about how theyt should put in a rule where they can only jump 3cm so they don't turn their ankles. Every player knows the risks or any sport they play. If they didn't like it, they wouldn't play. If you don't like it, don't watch. The people who run the league, and who play in the league should, and do, make the rules. If everybody who reads this rag is so upset with the calibre and state of the NHL, DON'T WATCH IT!!! You won't be missed.

[Ron Gillespie]

Anyone who thinks Cooke's hit was clean does not know the NHL rulebook. There is a rule on the books that clearly states that any intent to injure should be called as a penalty. I have no idea how you can argue Cooke's hit wasn't an attempt to injure. He ONLY hit Savard in the head. That's pretty clear intent to hurt. Most bodychecks involve the hitting of the body. Based on his reputation, toss him out of the league! There are a ton of guys who can easily take his place with more heart.

[Richard]

There is a reason the other major sports look down on the NHL. They try to protect their players! The NHL is only interested in protecting the ratings at the expense of the players. The time it took to recognize the obvious danger of head hits and then to wait until next season to impliment a change is very telling and embarassing.

[just thinking...]

Is this really a step forward? Certainly the banter sounds +ve directionally but the truth will surface next year. As many have mentioned already it is puzzling why this was not put in place immediately. The league has also missed the boat with the lack of suspension for Cooke....Olympic hockey tourney was amazing. Speed, skill, toughness all that without a fight. Go figure! It is puzzling that the NHL does not wake up and realize what the true audience will tune in and watch. Certainly there is the national interest angle but quality and skill retains and brings in new fans. Finally Bill from Barrie this is not about anything other than protecting the health and well being of the assets that fill seats in arenas. There is no place for actions like Cooke, etc in any league. The same player in the NFL, FIFA, NBA, hurling, whatever would be in huge trouble. Finally will be interesting to see how players behave for the balance of the year because we all know some "loose cannon" is going to take a "Cooke shot" once again demonstrating a complete lack of respect for the other player and that Bill from Barrie is an uncalled for risk that NO hockey player should expect professional or amateur.

[(Yukon) Jack Restoule French River]

You (the NHL) will not be able to 'crack-down' on headshots done as a result of the hits that are being thrown. Historically, the NHL has prided itself on a hard hitting game that men play, you know real hockey. Where you get to have a two minute rest for cracking that little pest on the noggin' from the opposite team. Where on a Saturday night you were almost guaranteed to see at least a fight or two. Seeing your team's defenceman cream that guy into the boards and knocked him silly. That's the NHL you've built, from the little kids playing the game who's Father hopes for his kid to be the next tye Domi or Bobby Orr to dawn cherries rok 'em ssock 'em #49 (that one should end). To do so would lose a part of what was the real draw to hockey in the first place, why are boxing matches so popular. Cuz alot of people want to see someone get his clock cleaned. In HD!

[Hockey Fan]

I don't understand why the NHL keeps addressing this issue as if it's walking on egg shells. Can't change this, don't change that. NHL players are getting seriously hurt almost daily. Booth lays motionless on the ice, Savard out for possibly the season. What would the NHL have done if Cooke had hit Patrice Bergeron instead of Savard? IT WOULD BE AND IS TOO LATE BY THEN! Cooke should be supended until Savard can play again. It's as simple as that. Since Cooke isn't as skilled as Savard, Cooke's team also loses a 2nd player with equal skill as Savard until Savard starts playing again.

[Bill]

So the NHL is saying that its okay to go after a guy's head, as long as the guy see's it coming? And how are the refs supposed to enforce this..they have to make a judgement call that the hitter was more to the side than to the front and therefore warrants a penalty..there will be a lot of debate. Why make this so gray..make it black and white. No head shots allowed! As for giving no suspension to Cooke..words can't explain how wrong this. The NHL says there is no rule against what he did..why do they even need one? So if a player brings a gun on the ice and shoots someone, the NHL will do nothing to this player because there is no rule against this? Give me a break!

[steve daye]

Maybe the NHL needs to create an impartial judicial system where the league and the players association employ someone outside of the game to determine suspensions, fines etc.

[other mark]

I can't believe the number of people writing in to say 'this is too little too late'. I think this is an appropriate and measured response to a situation that has been recently increasing in it's frequency and impact. I don't want to see the game I love tampered with, but in this case I think I've done a fine job of keeping the physical aspect of the game intact while (hopefully) removing some of the dangerous and irresponsible acts by a few of the less respectful players. For those of you calling for more, I say, be very careful about what you wish for.