Fighting has been an accepted part of professional hockey for a hundred years. It is technically against the rules, but it does not generate great penalties as it would in other sports.
Considered part of the culture of hockey, fighting is part of what is known as “The Code” in the NHL. Rule 46 provides guidelines to follow when an altercation takes place.
Rule 46 regulates fighting in hockey
According to Rule 46, “A fight shall be deemed to have occurred when at least one player punches or attempts to punch an opponent repeatedly or when two players wrestle in such a manner as to make it difficult for the Linesmen to intervene and separate the combatants.”
The referees are given the discretion regarding what penalties to impose, and they determine to which degree the participants were responsible for starting the fight or continuing it.
The most extreme penalty would be getting ejected from the game, but getting involved in a brawl would be given what is called a “major penalty” which could mean sitting out only five minutes of a game.
Fighting to stand up for a teammate
The number one reason for starting a fight is to defend a team mate. The underlying principle behind these conflicts is respect. If a player sees that a fellow team member has been dealt a dirty hit, then he is actually expected to take action. The unwritten rule is that a player cannot simply hold the instigator accountable- he has to agree to it. However, you still risk getting hit if you refuse to fight when someone wants to stand up for a team mate.
On the other hand, if a player has given a big hit to an opponent, he will expect retaliation and would not be surprised if the other team members struck back.
According to hockey historian Ross Bernstein, fighting in a way makes players aware that they will be punished for playing unfairly.
“The game has always been allowed to police itself. So when you do something bad, you pay the consequences.”
FAQs
Some reasons are related to game play, such as retaliation, momentum-building, intimidation, deterrence, attempting to draw "reaction penalties", and protecting star players. There are also some personal reasons such as retribution for past incidents, bad blood between players, and simple job security for enforcers.
What are ice hockey fighting rules? ›
The National Hockey League's official rulebook states that a fight is considered official if one or more players punch or attempt to punch an opponent repeatedly. According to the rulebook, a fight can occur when two players engage in wrestling, making it challenging for the linesmen to intervene and separate them.
Why should fighting not be allowed in the NHL? ›
Fighting endangers players' lives
As we've seen in other sports, specifically the NFL, repeated concussions can cause serious damage in the long term. Frequent head blows and concussions cause CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), which leads to memory loss, depression, and dementia, among other issues.
Why is fighting in hockey not assault? ›
Fighting, or fisticuffs, is also penalized but is considered by many hockey enthusiasts, particularly in North America, to be quite distinct from stick-swinging or other violent acts. They regard fighting as an entrenched, acceptable and integral part of the game.
Why can you fight in hockey but not other sports? ›
Fighting has been an accepted part of professional hockey for a hundred years. It is technically against the rules, but it does not generate great penalties as it would in other sports. Considered part of the culture of hockey, fighting is part of what is known as “The Code” in the NHL.
Do you get fined for fighting in the NHL? ›
Fighting will result in, at least, a five minute major penalty. It could also lead to a game misconduct (ejection). And ultimately, it can lead to a fine, a suspension, or both. Actually, there is one fighting rule, any player who leaves the bench during a fight will recieve an automatic game misconduct penalty.
Why do they let them fight in ice hockey? ›
This means you could slash a player with your stick in front of a linesmen and they could not call a penalty. This really meant that any penalty that did not happen close did the puck had no chance of being called. Fighting was seen as a way for players to police their own actions.
Can you throw a punch in hockey? ›
(Note) A punch, or an attempted punch, thrown by any player in the direction of an opponent, regardless as to whether contact is made, is considered fighting .
Who has the most fights in NHL history? ›
Tie Domi holds the record for the most fights in NHL history, with an impressive 333 fights during his career. The role of enforcers like Domi has evolved over time, and the NHL continues to grapple with the role of fighting in the game.
Why isn t fighting banned in hockey? ›
Fighting is seen as a way for players to police themselves. Rather than letting the officials dictate what is legal or illegal, a team may respond by fighting if they do not agree with the actions of an opposing player.
It's not your imagination – fighting is making a bit of a comeback in the NHL. Through the first 368 games of the 2023-24 season, we've seen 97 fights in the NHL, according to hockeyfights.com. That works out to 0.2636 fights per game, or a little more than one fight every four games.
Has an NHL player ever fought a ref? ›
One of the most notable instances was in 1979 when Boston Bruins player Terry O'Reilly fought referee Ron Wicks during a game against the Minnesota North Stars.
Who was the only NHL player suspended for life? ›
Billy Coutu – Life (1927) The stout Boston Bruins blueliner is the only player ever to receive a lifetime ban from the NHL.
What was the worst NHL fight? ›
The Flyers–Senators brawl was a National Hockey League (NHL) regular season game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Ottawa Senators that resulted in a league record for penalty minutes. The game was played on March 5, 2004, at the Wachovia Center, the home arena of the Flyers. Philadelphia won the game 5–3.
Why do hockey players fight during games? ›
However, hockey is the only sport where fighting is legal (and a necessary part of the game) so that's why there are a lot more fights than in other sports. Players in hockey use fights to swing in-game momentum, which can actually change the outcome of which team wins a game.
Do NHL players fight anymore? ›
It's not your imagination – fighting is making a bit of a comeback in the NHL. Through the first 368 games of the 2023-24 season, we've seen 97 fights in the NHL, according to hockeyfights.com. That works out to 0.2636 fights per game, or a little more than one fight every four games.
Do people still fight in the NHL? ›
Those fans need not worry: Even in the NHL, which has fewer and fewer spots for goons these days, fighting is rare but certainly not gone, with a fight coming roughly every four or five games across the league.
What are the cons of fighting in the NHL? ›
Fighting in hockey leads to concussions, mental health problems, and death.
