Ethical Issues in Hockey

By: Neal Turner

Early History • Officially defined by Society for International Hockey

Research as: a game played on an ice rink in which two opposing teams of skaters, using curved sticks, trying to drive a small disc into or through the opposing goals.

• Roots in Eastern Canada • Ice hockey originated in early 19th century• Puck added around 1860. Originally made of wood. • James G. Creighton- Organizer of 1st game

(Montreal, Canada 1875) • 1877 first official team is formed at McGill University.

Original rules also established this year. (7 total)

Sources: International Ice Hockey Federation & National Hockey League

NHL History• 1917 the National Hockey League (NHL) is founded • Originally consisted of Canadian teams, American

teams begin forming in 1920s. • WW2 reduces league to 6 teams commonly referred

to as the Original 6, lasted until expansion in 1967

NHL Ethical Issues

• Violence (Enforcers & Fighting)• Drug Abuse • Injury (Concussions/Head Trauma)• NHL players in 2018 Olympics

Violence-Enforcers NHL Enforcer Role

Do you agree with the player’s perspective on the importance of enforcers in hockey?

Painkiller Abuse • 2011 SI Report- NHL player Ian Laperrière states "Today the biggest problem, which isn’t

talked about...is pills. It’s painkillers,” • Enforcers most common abusers of painkillers and alcohol (Oxycodone, Percocet, etc.) • Team doctors blamed for over distribution and unnecessary prescriptions• Reasons for abuse include:

– injury recovery, pain from fighting & contact, and stress relief and boredom• The 2011 death of NY Rangers Derek Boogaard from painkiller and alcohol abuse places

further emphasis on this growing problem.

How can the NHL better monitor and regulate the use of

Prescription painkillers?

Should the “enforcer” role be eliminated

from the sport?

Violence-Fighting • Unlike other professional sports, fighting is deemed part of the

sport in the NHL. • NHL rulebook does regulate fighting and subsequent penalties.

– Fighters are identified as “Aggressors and Instigators”– Penalties range from minor(2 min) major (5 min) and game misconduct

(ejection).

• Examples • Is fighting ethically justifiable within the sport of hockey?

• Why does the NHL continue to allow this?

-Do the pros outweigh the cons?

Concussions & Head Trauma • Epidemic of concussions similar to NFL• Former players filed lawsuits against the NHL in 2013 & 2014 regarding

complications related to concussions and head trauma.• In 2011 new rules on hits to head and types of hits were implemented along with

an updated concussion protocol. • 2011-12 Concussions: 78 (STATS Inc.) • 2013-14 Concussions: 53 (STATS Inc.) However, worry is concussions have not

gone down, but rather have gone unreported.

• Current protocol: “Requires players to get a team doctor's OK before they can return to play. They are taken to a quiet place for evaluation, questions and tests of their memory, balance and general awareness” (NHL, 2014)

• What further steps can the NHL take to minimize the risk of head injury?

2011: Sidney Crosby Missed almost a full season due to concussion symptoms

2018 Olympic Hockey Debate

Does the NHL have a moral obligation to allow their players the opportunity to represent their country in the 2018 Olympic games?

• NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and International Ice Hockey President Rene Fasel have differing opinions regarding NHL Player participation.

-NY Times article quote: Fasel stated, “There’s nothing like a gold medal in the life of an athlete. Nothing.” Bettman replied, “Except for winning the Stanley Cup.”

• Main arguments against NHL player participation by league official and team owners are risk of injury and timing of the Olympics, disrupting the 2018 NHL regular season.

• 6 major injuries occurred in Sochi, including 1 season ending injury and another keeping one player out until the NHL Playoffs.

• Players strongly arguing FOR playing in 2018.

Source: NY Times & NBC Sports

References • http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7459581/sidney-crosby-concussion• http://grantland.com/features/the-nhl-concussion-lawsuit/• http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2014/story/_/

id/11051889/nhl-says-concussions-decreased-protocol-remains-imperfect• http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26336• http://www.theuhl.com/history-of-ice-hockey/• http://www.si.com/nhl/home-ice/2011/09/06/does-the-nhl-have-a-painkiller-problem• http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/sports/hockey/nhl-and-players-differ-over-2018-games.html