The Code The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL

by Bernstein, Ross; McSorley, Marty; Twist, Tony

• ISBN13: 9781572437562
• ISBN10: 1572437561
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-01
• Publisher: Triumph Books

Summary

For decades, hockey crowds have been brought to their feet for one of the most exciting aspects of NHL games—the fights. The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL by Ross Bernstein takes you in-depth and behind the scenes to explore the history of fighting during hockey games and the honor system behind it. More than 50 NHL players, coaches, and media personalities were interviewed to examine how players go about their business during a fight on the ice. They explain why fighting is allowed and what tactics are used before, during, and after the melees. The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL discusses the top reasons why the gloves come off during hockey games.

Author Biography

Ross Bernstein is the bestselling author of 40 sports books and has appeared on numerous local and national television and radio programs. His work has been featured on CNN, ESPN, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. As a sought-after motivational speaker, he speaks to corporations and groups across the country about the inspirational legacy of the late Herb Brooks, Hall of Fame coach of the fabled 1980 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic "Miracle on Ice" hockey team. He lives in Eagan, Minnesota. Marty McSorley is a former National Hockey League player. He is famous for swinging his stick and hitting another player in a game, which resulted in his suspension for the remainder of his hockey career. Tony Twist is a former National Hockey League player who was known as an enforcer.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Marty McSorley	ix
Foreword by Tony Twist	xiii
Introduction	xvii
Section I: The History of Fighting in the NHL
1 A Look Back at the History of Fighting and Violence in Professional Hockey	3	(28)
Section II: Defining the Code
2 Why Is There Fighting in Pro Hockey?	31	(3)
3 What Prompts Dropping the Gloves?	34	(22)
4 What Are the Rules of Engagement after the Gloves Come Off?	56	(22)
5 How Does the Code Work?	78	(7)
6 The Code and the Special Games	85	(10)
Section III: The Enforcer and His Impact on the Game
7 Big Hitters Mean Big Business	95	(5)
8 On Playing Hurt	100	(14)
9 On Respect and Toughness	114	(8)
10 Fear	122	(6)
11 Friendly Fire	128	(5)
12 Life Off the Ice	133	(12)
Section IV: Bow League Rules and Officials Affect Fighting
13 The Instigator Rule	145	(16)
14 Divers	161	(3)
15 On Bench-Clearing Brawls	164	(4)
16 Facial Protection	168	(4)
17 The Official's Influence	172	(9)
Section V: After the Game and Beyond the Pros: How Fighting Affects the Rest of Us
18 Junior Hockey	181	(5)
19 Southern Cookin'	186	(5)
20 To Fight or Not to Fight	191	(14)
21 The Effects of Fighting on Youth	205	(12)
Section VI: The Lockout and Its Aftermath
22 On the Events That Led Up to the 2004 NHL Lockout and Its Aftermath	217	(18)
Appendix: Neal Sheehy on the Aftermath of the Rules Changes	235	(6)
Notes	241