Puckin' Around

OK, so I’m about a couple of months late with this, but whatever.  Many of you have asked for my take on this, so here goes.

Here’s a news flash for David Branch, commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League: Hockey is a fast, dangerous, and often times vicious sport.  I’m sorry to point out the obvious, but it’s evident to me you either A) Haven’t realized this yet, or B) You’re protecting your job, not to mention your league’s reputation.  Bob McKenzie from TSN has even gone so far as to call you courageous, but I don’t buy it.

For those of you who have not yet seen the Michael Liambas hit on Ben Fanelli, do yourself a favor (or not) and either Google it or check YouTube.  A word of warning, the faint of heart need not apply.

It’s just an unfortunate incident all around.  While Fanelli rests comfortably in hospital, Liambas’ hockey career is essentially over – unless there’s a team in Alaska, Antarctica or Greenland willing to take a chance on him (Palin’s Puckers, anyone?).  And to this I say Boo and give a huge thumbs down.

And don’t come to me with the whole “well if it was your kid you’d be happy the league had enough balls to do something”.  I admit, it was a vicious hit, Fanelli left the ice on a stretcher with a broken skull and orbital bone and will take a long time to recover, and is probably lucky he didn’t get killed.  I get it.  I also get the fact the OHL is not only competing with the rest of the Canadian Hockey League (aka the QMJHL and the WHL), but also competing with the NCAA and various other rungs of college hockey.  I get how hockey parents will see this hit replayed on TV screens from coast to coast and will get a little uncomfortable over the prospect of their boy going to play the most dangerous sport on ice (aside from maybe bobsledding).

The reason I have an issue with the length of the suspension is because the OHL has effectively become a breeding ground for future NHL (and AHL ) talent.  When you have players in the NHL already who are still playing after having done a lot worse than the Liambas hit, I question the message we’re trying to send.  It’s quite simple – if you’re afraid of getting hurt – don’t play.  I don’t think I need to mention the injury epidemic in the NHL again.

Anyhow, there isn’t much a die-hard hockey fan and occasional internet blogger, like me, can do about it.  One can only hope this doesn’t set a precedent – let ‘em play for Heaven’s Sake!!

So now, I’d like to take this opportunity not only to welcome you to yet another new year, but wish all of you reading all the best for 2010 and beyond.  I’ve committed to writing something at least once a month or more, and I promise you readers I won’t let you down.  I have big plans for both this column and the Puckin’ Around website, so stay tuned.  Who knows, as the world’s best players start to get better and return to the game they love to play, and as the division races heat up, maybe I’ll start feeling it once again.  One thing you can be sure of, though, as disappointing as the season has been for me so far, you can be sure I’m still watching and observing, because I know it can only be downhill from here.  At least I’m lucky in one area – worst case scenario, I can go watch the Ottawa 67s for inspiration.  I’ve become somewhat of a good luck charm for them – they haven’t yet lost when I’ve gone to see them play live.  As for that team out West whose name I won’t mention?  Well, there’s always next year…