Friday 11 March 2011

i love ice hockey ... but...

Air Canada published a letter to the NHL following a hit the other night during the Montreal / Boston game:
"From a corporate social responsibility standpoint, it is becoming increasingly difficult to associate our brand with sports events which could lead to serious and irresponsible accidents; action must be taken by the NHL before we are encountered with a fatality,"
http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/952137--air-canada-tells-nhl-to-take-off

Normally, I am not a fan of Air Canada, but this is great. 

I love hockey, and like others, I am sitting around, waiting (not by choice) to hear news of a fatality in the NHL. 

With a little boy who will one day play ice hockey -- he has no choice in this matter -- it's important that he grows up aware of the good and bad.  Growing up, I knew all too well how devestating checking from behind is.  This was rampant in the late 80's and 90's ... Now, it's rare to see and it's great.  Kids grow up knowing its bad and it promotes better behaviour.  Sure, some kids will never get it...that's just life.  Some people grow up to be murderers.  We can't fix everyone ...

For me, I want Jack to grow up knowing right from wrong.  I believe fights and hitting must exist in ice hockey ... but deliberate intents to injure ... WWE styles ... they have no place.  If your hit or actions are good enough to get on a Don Cherry -- Rock em' Sock em' video ... I think you have overstepped the boundaries. 

Well done Air Canada for stepping up. 

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