Believe It or Not, There's an Art to This

NHL pugilists follow strict etiquette before the gloves come off

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 17, 2008 2:08 PM CST

(Newser) – Fisticuffs may be frowned upon in most pro sports, the Boston Globe reports, but the NHL has a definite, if brutal, code to fighting on the ice that goes back to hockey’s rural Canadian origins. Most fights are mutually agreed upon between players, and brawlers know who not to go after. “It’s the show of respect for each other,” one coach said.

Fights often start when players want to make a name, or as retribution for a slight like a hard check. But not always. “It’s different after a dirty hit, where there are cheap shots and guys are jumping in,” one heavyweight said. For those who fight, it’s a profession. “Nobody likes getting punched in the face,” says Boston’s Shawn Thornton. “But it’s a job.”

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (3)]

St. Louis Blues' Cam Janssen, right, fights with Calgary Flames' Cory Sarich. (AP Photo)

Edmonton Oilers' Zack Stortini, left, fights with Chicago Blackhawks' Ben Eager. (AP Photo)

New York Islanders' Mitch Fritz, with a bloody eye, returns to his bench after fighting with Philadelphia Flyers' Riley Cote. (AP Photo)

Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Boris Valabik, of Slovakia, brings a fist down on Boston Bruins left wing Shawn Thornton. (AP Photo)

New Jersey Devils' Dainius Zubrus knocks New York Rangers' Brandon Dubinsky to the ice. (AP Photo)

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This goes back generations. That was just the way it was done and the way it should be done. It's one of those things that when you talk about unwritten rules, that's one of them. It's the show of respect for each other. - Cam Neely, Bruins VP

You don't want to just grab a guy from behind. I made sure I got his attention before I dropped the gloves. - Mark Stuart, Boston Bruins

He came up and grabbed me, so I dropped my gloves. But yeah, I understood. There are certain guys on the ice. You're not going to have your skilled guys fighting and hurting their hands." - Shane Hnidy, Boston Bruins

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Believe It or Not, There's an Art to This