Why Is Fighting Important In Hockey

title When people think of hockey, what do they automatically think of? Most would mention how fast-paced the game has become, or the exhilarating feeling of watching a full-blown fight break out. Whichever comes to mind, it is agreeable that hockey is an aggressive sport that involves fighting, hitting, and violence. While some say the aggressive nature is unnecessary, it has proven to be a fundamental part of the sport. Keeping players in check during the game, either from dirty plays or bad attitudes, displays why fighting remains necessary in the hockey world and needs to stay that way. Fighting has been involved with hockey for quite some time now. While there are many arguments about the danger and overall relevance of fighting, it is needed in other aspects of the game. It is inevitable in a game this widespread that

The biggest concern is players getting concussions from frequent blows to the head. A concussion is defined as a traumatic brain injury caused by a hit to the head or body, that quickly causes the head and brain to move back and forth (“Concussion” 1). While concussions are an ample problem in the game, despite common belief they are not all from fighting. Marty McSorely, retired N.H.L. professional, was considered one of the toughest players in the game, racking up 273 fights in his 17-year career. As someone who was no stranger to fighting and the aggression the game entails, he without a doubt had his fair share of concussions and injuries. McSorely has made it clear that he’s in support of fighting, and it is unfair to use concussions as an argument against it. He uses his experiences to support his argument, saying, “[d]id I have a concussion fighting? Probably one or two, yes. But I had more from playing. You can’t point at fighting and say that’s the cause of concussions in hockey” (Klein, “Ex-Enforcer Says Fights Aren’t Real Problem”