NHL Cracks Down on Fighting

(AP) - Turns out the NHL has a bigger bite than Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu. The league suspended Ruutu two games without pay for biting the gloved hand of Buffalo's Andrew Peters in a game Tuesday. "It's weird to even think that that goes on in hockey," said Peters, known more for his fists than his skill. "Even in my role, I would never think of doing something like that." More»

NHL rough stuff has risen every year since the lockout despite rule changes

(NEWSER) - Fighting has been as much a part of hockey as skating for generations, but the rough stuff has been on the rise in the NHL since the 2004-05 lockout. By one account, fights are up by 15% from last season. With the enforcer's role becoming more vital, the New York Times looks at the reasons behind the pugnacious trend. More»

NHL pugilists follow strict etiquette before the gloves come off

(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. More»

Derek Boogard likely faced early dementia

(NEWSER) - Hockey enforcer Derek Boogard died of a drug and alcohol overdose at age 28—but his future likely wouldn't have been too bright had he lived, because he probably faced midlife dementia. In the last of a three-part series on Boogard, the New York Times reveals that the multi-millionaire bruiser suffered from advanced brain damage when he was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment . “To see this amount? That’s a ‘wow’ moment,” said one doctor, pointing at Boogard's brain tissue. “This is all going bad.” More»

Fortunately, Jim Deutsch did not have to play

(NEWSER) - The NHL's Minnesota Wild signed an emergency goalie today, which is news only because the guy is 51 years old and owns an embroidery store. As it turns out, Jim Deutsch won't have to suit up for an NHL game, but he came thisclose, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune . The team got in a pickle when it found out usual starter Nik Backstrom couldn't play in tonight's game. Backup Josh Harding got the nod, and the team called up a minor league goalie to back up Harding. Problem: It wasn't a sure thing that the minor league goalie's plane would arrive in time. More»