Violence in hockey targetted

As the 2009-2010 campaign begins with the start of training camps across North America, another hockey battle is being raged.  And this one involves the violent tendencies of the sport. 

Hockey is a violent sport, it is the only professional sports venue that allows its players to do battle in order to solve in game beefs.  Other than goals, it is also one of the main reasons NHL fans get out of their seats and make noise during a game.  But there is a difference between a fight between two (or more) players, and some of the violent acts that have non-fans looking to change the face of the game to make it more “gentlemen like”. 

Bullshit.  At the center of the debate is Patrick Roy and his son, Jonathan.  In March of 2008 Roy, a goaltender for the Quebec Ramparts, a team coached by his father, skated the length of the ice and pummelled the opposing goaltender, an unwilling participant in the brawl taking place.

I personally believe there is no room for this type of play in hockey, but don’t want to see hitting or fighting removed from the sport. 

From the an Associated Press article Roys lawyer contends the charges:

Roy’s lawyer argued that his client was targeted by prosecutors because of his family name. He also contends Roy was the victim of a biased police investigation and misconduct by prosecutors. He adds that the government pursued his client on new provincial rules that hadn’t been in place when the attack occurred.

The younger Roy is accused of wanting to be more like his father, who was involved in several fights over the course of his career with goaltenders like Chris Osgood, Mike Vernon, and Dominik Hasek to name a few. 

The difference between Jonathan Roy and his father, Patrick Roy also fought a somewhat willing particpant. 

Instead of trying to get the case thrown out, Jonathan needs to pony up and face the music, and allow hockey to recover from another nasty black eye that makes the sport look bad.