DETROIT – When Matthew Stafford smiles at the camera and explains how he will “do whatever it takes to win in Detroit” I see a naïve young man who is oblivious to the fact he has just been thrown into the Lions’ den.

Stafford’s agent Tom Condon has represented his client well in landing the largest rookie contract in the history of the NFL but is money everything? Isn’t the idea supposed to be to play a game you love and have fun while you make the big bucks? If so, Detroit is the wrong place for Stafford.

In and around Atlanta, many of the UGA fans I have spoken to are quick to say how Stafford’s erratic play has frustrated them over the years. They remember how many quarters he spent overthrowing open targets and how he buckled under pressure in many of the big games. How will that translate to the Detroit Lions and their fans?

Following the organization since the days they played during snow squalls in historic Tiger Stadium, I have to say not very well. Many teams in the NFL have rosters that would support a long-term development case like Stafford but Detroit is not one of them.

Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay is a great example. Rodgers worked the clipboard for years developing his talent while watching one of the all-time greats in Brett Favre before stepping into a starting position years later.

That’s how the transition from college to the NFL normally happens and there lies the problem with this marriage.

The Lions’ fans and the city of Detroit have totally lost their patience with this organization. To the point they have spent the past month saturating blogs around the country with threats of dropping support for the team if they draft Stafford. Groups of fans have gone to the extreme of showing up at press conferences filling the air with “Don’t draft Stafford” chants.

These actions truly are nothing personal toward Stafford but rebounding from the most disastrous run in NFL history under a guy named Millen should not include converting a #1 overall pick into a high-risk player like Stafford when there are guaranteed starters like Aaron Curry and Jason Smith available who are projected to step in game one and play in the league for 8-10 years.

While some may argue that Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco are examples of the contrary to long-term quarterback development, look at the Falcons and Ravens rosters compared to Detroit and realize that Stafford’s situation is not the same scenario, it’s nowhere close.

Ryan and Flacco both stood behind offensive lines with time to pass; Stafford goes to a team who allowed a ridiculous amount of sacks in the NFL over the past few seasons.

Stafford will not have a mentor like Favre, instead he will have an aging quarterback who is clinging to his final few years in the league and unhappy fans and media he will be pressured into trying to please.

Tom Brady looked near-flawless during the Patriots’ record-setting 16-0 season, standing tall and confident in the pocket hitting receivers but when pressure was applied during the Super Bowl game against the N.Y. Giants, even he looked lost and failed.

Yes, Stafford’s contract carries an earth-shattering $41.7 million guarantee and keeps the checks coming in for 6 years but athletes want to win and regardless what they say in front of the lights and cameras, their egos are huge and need to be fed.

Right now the kid may be celebrating what he and his agent have accomplished but when it comes down to playing in Honolulu Blue, reality is going to hit and the fun will be over. How can a kid live up to a $78 million contract in a blue-collar city where unemployment lines wrap around buildings and boarded up foreclosures line the streets?

Stepping in and delivering results immediately like Matt Ryan did in Atlanta when he threw a 60 yard bomb for a TD in his first NFL pass may help a bit. A 60-yard Hail Mary to Calvin Johnson streaking down the sideline may make the fans momentarily forget how stupid of a move the Lions made.

The only problem with that is, that play was against the Lions and there is no other defense in the NFL bad enough to allow that to happen.

That is the reason we heard the supportive “Aaron Curry” chants and degrading “Don’t draft Stafford” chants; the team needs defense and they need it now and they passed up an opportunity to get a guaranteed starter.

Playing quarterback or goalie positions in Detroit takes the thickest of skin and I have never seen a rookie with skin thick enough to withstand the repercussions that comes with that territory, especially if they are not wanted to begin with.

The Lions have seen several past first-round QBs including Andre Ware and Joey Harrington flop and suffer faultering careers after being placed on Lions teams that had better rosters than the current team has. It’s a long process and Stafford is not capable of becoming the overnight savior the fans and organization needs.

Money creates happiness for a certain amount of time but after the enormous homes, extravagant vacations and collections of cars becomes commonplace, it all comes down to how much fun a guy is having playing the game he has grown to love.

After the dust from Stafford’s party settles and he is two years into his journey in a Lions uniform, will the few extra million he received by going #1 as opposed to #3 or #4 be worth it? I think not.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions continue avoiding giving too many details on trying to sign the Dawgs’ Matt Stafford prior to the draft tomorrow. The bottom line-the Lions’ need to follow Bill Parcell’s system of signing whoever is their #1 selection prior to draft day and also consider building from the line out.

Parcells, one of the smartest men in football, signed Jake Long as the Miami Dolphins overall pick prior to last year’s draft. He then made his free agent moves andthe rest is history-Miami made a historic turn-around from 1-15 to making the playoffs with a rookie head coach and Long represented the Dolphins in the Pro Bowl.

In a recent poll by the Detroit Free Press, Detroit Lions fans want very little to do with spending a #1 overall selection on a high-risk pick like Stafford. The results were 55% for Aaron Curry, 26% for Stafford, 8% for anyone but Stafford, 7% for Jason Smith, 3% for a trade and 0% for Mark Sanchez.

Stafford is way too high a risk for a team like the Lions who have more holes than a sieve.

The guaranteed $40 million to Stafford could instead cover OL Jason Smith, who like Long is Pro Bowl material, or Wake Forest LB Aaron Currey then leave some leftover cash for adding a solid free agent defensive player; giving the team two guaranteed starters.

Curry has already stated he would be happy to sign for a contract similar to the $30 million guaranteed deal given to Long last year. That additional $10 million left over by not signing Stafford would be used for obtaining a solid starting defensive back or lineman. In additon, the Lions still would have another first round selection and the top pick in the 2ndround, making them the front-runner winner in the 2009 NFL Draft and give them a better nucleus for their road to recovery.

While Lions’ fans have flooded press conferences filling the air with “Don’t draft Stafford” chants, ex-NFL QB and analysts Ron Jaworski has added to the confusion with his most recent comment; “I think Detroit would be absolutely out of their minds to not take Stafford #1. I’ve seen him throw a hundred times and he is ready for the NFL.”

In a recent interview, Stafford who knows the fans are not on his side said, “I’ll do what it takes, no matter what it is.” That is sincere from a young man ready to take the big leap into the NFL but it takes a lot more than confidence to turn a team like the Lions around. Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco both did it as rookies last season but look at those rosters before making an assumption it can be done in Detroit.

Lots of hype; just how Roger Goodell likes it. It keeps the attention off the steady flow of NFL mugshots that have been saturating the Internet.

Related Articles: Aaron Curry should be Lions’ #1 pick – March 12, 2009

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Previously published in USA Hockey Magazine April 2009 Edition

CHICAGO – In a day of banged-up economies, collapsing housing markets and difficult daily challenges, if you are searching for an inspirational story, look no further than the Chicago Blackhawks forward Dustin Byfuglien.

Since being chosen in the late rounds of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Blackhawks, the 23-year-old Minneapolis native has beaten the odds and evolved from NHL prospect to becoming a permanent fixture on a revitalized Blackhawks’ roster.

While the ‘Hawks dress the youngest roster in the NHL and are building a winner around young superstars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Byfuglien is becoming a vital piece of the puzzle.

Looking to use Byfuglien’s hulking 6-foot-3 frame to create traffic in front of the net, Chicago moved the rugged defenseman to forward, and the move has paid huge dividends. Byfuglien responded with a breakout season in 2007-08 tallying 19 goals and 17 assists in just 67 games, finishing fifth on the team in scoring. That same season, he recorded his first career hat trick in a span of just 5:39 against Phoenix on Nov. 30.

“At first I didn’t like the move because I didn’t have experience playing forward. I had no choice but to adapt so I did,” said Byfuglien. “Playing with good players like we have, I adapted quickly and now I’m pretty much there to stay.”

When asked about Byfuglien, Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville had nothing but praise for his young winger.
“Buffs is one of those guys who no matter what line he’s on he gives us a contribution,” said Quenneville. “He’s got NHL size and ability. He’s a physical presence. We utilize his size around the net, and he’s got a tremendous shot. Buffs gives us versatility; we have played him on defense as well as forward and use him on the power play.”

The journey to the NHL was full of challenges for Byfuglien. He grew up in a single-parent family, living in a trailer behind his grandmother’s house. While his mother supported the family working in a blue-collar job at a local plant, Dustin spent time with his cousins, skating on the two local outdoor rinks in the neighborhood after getting his first pair of skates when he was about 4 years old.

With American players now commonly going high in the draft, Byfuglien attributes that to the quality of today’s hockey programs.

“The U.S. is coming around in their programs for young kids,” said Byfuglien. “When I was growing up, there were some players from the U.S. getting drafted but not like now. Before, if someone [from the U.S.] got drafted high it was really talked about. Now it’s more common. Many of the top players and top picks are coming from here and that’s great for the kids who want to try to make it.”

In a competitive league like the NHL, it is a difficult challenge even for the top picks to develop and make an NHL roster. Despite being a late round pick, Byfuglien was determined to make it.

After his first call-up from the AHL Norfolk Admirals, Byfuglien stepped onto an NHL sheet of ice for the first time on March 1, 2006 and responded by netting his first NHL goal, the game-winner in a 3-0 win over Nashville. He still refers to that game as his most memorable hockey moment.

When asked about mentors and childhood idols, Dustin is quick to credit his family for guiding him to where he is now.

“Neal Broten was the hometown hero when I was growing up, but I looked up to my cousin Derrick more than I did any of the NHL players at the time,” he said. “My grandfather had a lot to do with my development, too. He always stayed close to me, making sure I was the best player I could possibly be.”

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Previously published in The Washington Times March 20, 2009 Edition

Once a boxing loyalist, I followed the heavyweight division with a passion from Ali’s years in the 1970’s through Mike Tyson’s self-implosion in the 90’s.During that time, I was notorious for skipping school and risking jobs when a set of competent heavies were scheduled to go toe-to-toe.

Muhammad Ali, ‘Smoking Joe’ Frazier and ‘Big’ George Foreman were involved in many of those fights that lived up to their names like “Fight of the Century”, “Rumble in the Jungle” and “Thrilla in Manila”.

For a solid decade, from 1968-77, one of those three icons would hold the heavyweight title.

The torch was later handed off to Larry Holmes who many times struggled to find a worthy opponent to fight until a young troubled kid named Mike Tyson emerged under the watchful eye of Cus D’Amato and later took over the sport.

Tyson was billed as “The Baddest Man on the Planet” and for good reason. Many predicted him to top Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0 but as fate would have it, D’Amato passed away and Tyson strayed on a path of self-destruction, landed in jail and threw away a life of wealth and success.

Since the implosion of Mike Tyson, boxing has been starving for charismatic characters to come along but finds itself stuck with a group of mediocre athletes, none capable of recreating the adrenaline-filled sport.

Once Tyson was fitted for prison garb and Don King continued dominating boxing headlines with criminal investigations, many including myself lost interest in the sport; that is until I ran into a familiar name while visiting the Big Apple over Thanksgiving weekend 2008.

While hanging out in New York’s bustling theater district, I stopped in a Starbucks to check my emails and make a few calls. The man sitting next to me was on his cell phone trying to work out a deal and he snagged my attention when I overheard words like ‘fight card’ and ‘title fight’.

The man was Dino Duva, son of the legendary Lou Duva and the owner of Duva Boxing.

Just weeks earlier on October 11, Vitaly Klitschko (Ukraine) had defeated one of Duva’s heavyweights, Samuel Peter (Nigeria) in a WBC heavyweight title fight. Peter had put his WBC title on the line, a title he earned when he KO’d Oleg Maskaev in the 6th round of a fight in Cancun during March 2008.

After chatting with Duva, my smoldering interest in boxing was suddenly rekindled so I decided to watch the Klitschko/Peter fight and judge for myself if the heavyweight division had regained its ‘punch’.

After a quick Google, I found the bout in its entirety on YouTube, hunkered down with my java, popped on the headset and promised to give boxing’s most recent heavyweight title bout my undivided attention from the opening bell.

Eight boring uneventful rounds later, after breaking my promise and glancing at my watch as often as the screen, Peter refused to come out of his corner, the fight ended in a TKO and the WBC belt belonged to Klitschko.

This uneventful fight put the heavyweight division in perspective. The division is so clearly in disarray, a 37-year-old from Ukraine was able to come off a four-year layoff and easily jab his way to a TKO over the current younger champion.

I was shocked and intrigued by the fact this fight was such a dud; I went back to YouTube and watched every pre and post fight press conference I could find.

In one of the pre-fight press conferences, Duva had promised the world they would be treated to a classic title fight and that his fighter and Klitschko were ready for an all-out brawl. Duva went on to rightfully complain about a majority of the meeting being in German then stated his camp preferred to not be in Europe but are there because they paid the most for the fight.

The post-fight press conference featured Klitschko and his brother, another heavyweight title holder and there is where the fate of the heavyweight division lies. These fighters have charisma, hold titles and are the top heavies in the world.

The only hope for this faltering division may be to hold the fight that according to many sources may never happen, a brawl between the Klitschko brothers, WBC champ Vitali 36-2; (35 -KO) and IBO-IBF-WBO champ Wladimir 52-3 (46 KO).

In the meantime, both Vitali Klitschko and Peter are scheduled to fight in separate bouts this month with Klitschko taking on Cuba’s Juan Gomez for the WBC belt on March 21. If these fighters truly care about their weight class, they will try to redeem the heavyweight division by giving fans what they deserve to see. Heavies willing to partake in slugfests that provide entertaining rounds worthy of a highlight reel.

Currently ranked in the top ten, Peter has an opportunity to revitalize his career and rankings on the charts with a great outing this month. Another lackluster performance by the man they call “The Nigerian Nightmare” may prove fatal to his marketing appeal.

An impressive showing by Vitali in the Gomez fight may create a bigger buzz in the heavyweight division and pressure to set up a bout many boxing fans have dreamed about; a battle between the two Klitschko brothers.

Like “Rumble in the Jungle” and “Thrilla in Manila” this “Fight of the Millennium” between the brothers would certainly deserve a name.

Can it get any more intriguing than to watch two brothers forced to leave their love for each other outside the stadium as they climb into the ring for a heavyweight title fight, slugging it out in an attempt to take the other one’s belt?

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

The NFL certainly is finding a way to dominate the sports headlines throughout their offseason with marquee players like Terrell Owens and Matt Cassel changing teams while mock draft boards are being shuffled like a deck of cards.Unfortunately, much to the displeasure of Commissioner Roger Goodell, all the news is not football related. Matt Jones, Albert Haynesworth, Marshall Lynch and Donte Stallworth are the latest players to find themselves in trouble with the law.

Buffalo Bills RB Lynch expects to be disciplined after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge related to his arrest last month in Los Angeles.

Lynch was charged after police found a 9 mm semiautomatic weapon in the trunk of his car. Lynch pled guilty to having a concealed firearm and was sentenced to three years of probation and 80 hours community service.

While Goodell contemplates suspending Lynch, he awaits the outcome to another weapon case regarding one of his players; New York Giants’ receiver Plaxico Burress who shot himself in the leg while trying to bring a loaded handgun into a night club in New York.

In another incident earlier this month, Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth hit a killed a pedestrian in the early morning hours on a busy causeway near Miami Beach. Stallworth has been cooperating with the police and provided blood for a toxicology test.

Lynch is the only player to have met with Goodell thus far and although he appears to sincerely regret his incident, he expects a suspension from the league.

“It was a real productive meeting, [Goodell] stressed he will not tolerate any more screw-ups from me. I honestly see a suspension coming” said Lynch. “I feel with the incidents I’ve had, I’m young and I’ve grown through those situations. I’ve seen what these situations have put my family through, the team and the organization through and that’s not what I’m about.”

Stallworth also released a statement showing remorse and said he is “grief stricken” concerning being involved in the motor vehicle accident that took the life of a family man returning home from work.

Normally the negative publicity from situations like these find a way to fade away over time but with the league just settling down from the Burress incident and Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones’ latest ordeal in an Atlanta nightclub, Goodell may find himself out on another intense damage-control campaign soon.

Related NFL articles:

NFL Haynesworth steps into trouble again

Cowboys tells ESPN they cut ‘Pacman’ due to new shooting allegations

Plaxico Burress hit with two felony charges

NFL Mugshots Gallery

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

NASHVILLE – This week we are witnessing another self-implosion of an NFL player and this is not the first time Washington Redskins All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has ‘stepped’ into trouble.

Haynesworth who gained notoriety as a player for his infamous act of purposely stomping on Dallas Cowboy lineman Andre Gurode’s face with his cleats during a nationally televised game in 2006, was indicted on two misdemeanor traffic charges including reckless driving after being charged in an accident that seriously injured another driver in a December 13 accident.

While Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, Matt Jones and Plaxico Burress are flirting with potential long suspensions by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, depending on how this latest fiasco turns out, Haynesworth may find himself in line to speak to the league as well.

According to sources, in this latest incident Haynesworth tried to pass the driver who then crashed into a concreted median causing serious injuries to the driver.

This is not an isolated incident since just last year, Haynesworth received another driving infraction when he was ticketed for driving 103 mph in a 70 mph area. He then served 30 day probation for that incident.

Haynesworth is scheduled to play in Washington this upcoming season after signing a seven-year, $100 million contract as a free agent.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

DETROIT – Now that we’ve spent weeks of listening to ESPN’s Todd McShay shuffle his draft order like a deck of cards and tried not to stare at Mel Kiper Jr’s giant hair taking over our television screens, it’s our turn to make a prediction who will be the No. 1 overall pick by the Detroit Lions.Forecasts throughout talk shows and websites on who will be the pick for the 0-16 Lions have been changing like the weather.

Many had Georgia ‘Dawg QB Matt Stafford a solid No. 1 choice and USC QB Mark Sanchez as a possibility but drafting a quarterback high is a too big a gamble for the Lions (Google Joey Harrington). I expect the Lions to shy away from high-risk picks like Stafford or Sanchez.

New Detroit Lions Coach Jim Schwartz has not ruled out taking a quarterback in the top slot but isn’t quite sold on it yet, “We need to see [Stafford] throw,” said Schwartz who insisted Stafford come in for a personal workout.

Alabama OT Andre Smith, another one-time projected No. 1 overall has also fallen off the top rung of my ladder after he ditched the combine on drill day and when finally performing in front of a group of NFL observers, failed miserably. His numbers included a 5.28 second 40-yard dash and a 225 bench press 19 times.

Many of Smith’s numbers for the day would not have placed him even in the top ten of the OT’s on combine day. With a history of weight control issues and his inability to produce top numbers, it’s obvious why Smith decided to abandon the combine.

Blocking has little to do with running in a straight line for 40 yards but conditioning does and Smith clearly is lacking conditioning. The Detroit Lions have dealt with weight issues in their recent past including with their All-Pro defensive lineman, Sean ‘Big Baby’ Rogers.

The Lions responded to that problem by trading Big Baby away after the player spent dozens of snaps a game sucking down oxygen on the sidelines. It’s safe to say the Lions are not interested in dealing with another potential weight-control or conditioning issue.

The slam-dunk pick of the draft is Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. Curry is believed to be the safest pick and as the Lions attempt to survive a decade of draft disasters and the stench that fired President Matt Millen has left behind, it is imperative they end up with a player who can step into a starting position on opening day.

That player is Aaron Curry and I expect to see him donning Honolulu Blue alongside Ernie Sims on opening day after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick on draft day.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ATLANTA – The talk of tweaking fight rules is nothing new to the NHL but the buzz this season has gained momentum after being fueled by two serious minor league incidents, one that resulted in death.Both of these incidents were the result of fighting and in both cases, the players lost their helmets during their altercations.

Earlier this season during an OHA game Don Sanderson, a 21-year-old rookie, went into a coma and later died after slamming his head on the ice and in an AHL contest, Garrett Klotz suffered a seizure from a head injury he received after removing his helmet to battle Kevin Westgarth.

Regardless of the intense public heat put on the leagues to implement tighter regulations or ban fighting from the sport, don’t expect fighting to completely disappear from the game. Eliminating such a popular and traditional asset of the game would create uproar from the fan base and cause economic strain on the sport.

Like it or not, some fans come out to see the fights. There’s a reason hard-nosed players like Donald Brashear, Riley Cote and Jared Boll are fan favorites. They represent what hockey is; a tough sport.

Atlanta Thrashers forward Eric Boulton is also no stranger to fisticuffs. After recording 131 points (65g 66a) and 1,374 penalty minutes in 319 minor league games, Boulton journeyed his way to the NHL where he has established himself as one of the game’s respected enforcers.

Recently, I sat down with the 7-year NHL veteran to get his feedback on the possibility of fight rule changes in the league.

“It’s unfortunate and sad what happened to that young man [Sanderson],” said Boulton. “I think there could be a few rules put in place, like not removing the helmet and maybe implementing a rule that you can’t toss a guy [to the ice] in a fight. That’s where an injury can occur with a guy banging his head on the ice.”

During a recent interview NHLPA director Paul Kelly said they may suggest some rule changes, for example, if a helmet comes off during a fight, the fight should be immediately stopped by the referees.

I asked Boulton if it is realistic to expect two players in the heat of the battle to suddenly stop throwing punches if a helmet comes off, “No absolutely not [realistic]. I don’t like that rule at all. I don’t know how you would ever enforce that,” said the Halifax, Nova Scotia native. “Keep the helmets on, make sure guys don’t take them off before the fights; but that’s the only rule change I would suggest.”

In the NHL where there is no mandatory visor rule in place, players normally keep their helmets on unless they agree to remove them for dramatic effect to entertain the crowd. With mandatory visor rules in effect in the minor leagues it is becoming common practice for enforcers to purposely remove their helmets prior to engaging in fisticuffs, like in Klotz’ seizure incident.

Boulton loses his head protection on occasion during his altercations but feels if that happens in the middle of the fight, they should let it go. “The main thing in my opinion is never [purposely] take your helmet off,” said Boulton. “Helmets have been coming off during fights for years. Guys just should never remove them intentionally.”

While many people believe a ‘code of ethics’ does not exist at the minor league levels regarding fighting, Boulton feels an unwritten “code of ethics’ does exist between most NHL fighters.

“I would say 99% of the guys are respectable of each other and their jobs,” said Boulton. “We all know it’s a hard job to do and you need to have that respect. I’ve seen a lot of that this year, if a guy goes down, not hitting him or if a jersey goes over a head, not hitting him and stuff like that.

I’ve also [occasionally] seen a few guys hitting a guy when they’re on the ice and definitely that stuff shouldn’t happen. That’s where guys get hurt.”

While many NHL players would dread taking on a 6-ft, 3-in. 234-lb. enforcer like Washington Capitals Donald Brashear, Boulton referred to his minute-long, toe-to-toe brawl with Brashear the night before like it was just ‘another day at the office’.

Boulton who is accustomed to bringing Thrashers’ fans to their feet with his rugged style, talked about the most severe injury he ever suffered in a fight.

“Worst injury [from a fight] was a little crack in the face, a broken bone between my nose and my eye here,” he explained while pointing at the crooked spot on his upper bridge. “I had to put on a visor and played with it on for 6 weeks then took it off, it was nothing serious.”

Broken nose. Nothing serious. Just another ‘day at the office’.

Sports Climax NHL fight video clips here.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

CHICAGO – Every season there’s talk around the NHL about implementing stricter fight rules to clamp down on some  of the game’s excessive violence.While many fans don’t mind seeing a little bit of blood stain the ice, the buzz about enforcing harsher fight rules has gained unprecedented momentum this year, and is fueled by two serious minor league incidents, one that resulted in death.

Both of the incidents were the result of fighting and in both cases, the players lost their helmets during their altercations.

Don Sanderson, a 21-year-old rookie playing in the OHA, drifted into a coma and died on January 2 after slamming his head on the ice during what looked like a typical hockey fight in a game a few weeks earlier.

Right off the opening face-off of an AHL contest, Garrett Klotz and Kevin Westgarth, both 6-ft 5-in averaging 241 pounds, purposely tossed their helmets aside and went toe-to-toe. Klotz, who got the worst of the long altercation, dropped to the ice and went into a 30-40 second seizure, convulsing after suffering a serious head injury.

With mandatory visor rules in effect in the minor leagues, it is becoming common practice among enforcers in the ECHL and AHL to purposely remove their helmets prior to engaging in fisticuffs and this has many people concerned.

NHL icon Scotty Bowman holds a laundry list of coaching records including 1,244 regular season wins and 9 Stanley Cups and is currently the Senior Advisor for Hockey Operations for the Chicago Black Hawks. Now in his fifth decade in the NHL, he has seen drastic changes over the years and believes it is time to look hard at the situation.

“I think there will be [fight] legislation. Some of these players nowadays are well over 200 lbs, so when the helmets come off that’s the biggest danger I see,” said Bowman.

“In the past I was concerned about players breaking their hands in a fight. Some of these guys now are 6′4″ and 240-250 lbs. We didn’t have that twenty-five years ago. You get guys this size falling on each other without [head] protection, you’re just waiting for a fatality and that is tragic.”

Bowman is no stranger to head injuries. While playing in juniors, he suffered a career-ending head injury and was forced to hang up the skates, “That was from a stick, not a fight. [We] had leather helmets that offered no protection. It would protect you from a cut maybe but not an injury like I had.”

Bowman clearly is opposed to what he refers to as ‘stage fighting’ like in the case of the Klotz/Westgarth bout. Both players were on the ice for one purpose only, to fight and that particular premeditated brawl led to a serious injury.

“It’s hard to stamp [fighting] out but they can curtail the helmets coming off and stop the stage fighting; the fights that start 3 or 4 seconds after the puck is dropped,” Bowman stressed.

NHLPA Director Paul Kelly took that same topic on during a recent interview. “Fights which arise out of the emotion, the spontaneity of the game, is actually a part of our game that should remain,” explained Kelly.

“What I have a real problem with are these staged, pre-arranged fights. Two heavyweights squaring off before a face-off or texting each other leading up to a game. These are the guys who are 6′6″ and 250 lbs. and can, frankly, deliver the most damage. It’s awkward and uncomfortable to watch some of those fights when you’re in an arena.”

Kelly also mentioned the NHL could possibly consider adding a rule mandating players to keep their helmets on during the course of a fight. If a helmet comes off during an altercation, officials could be required to step in and stop it immediately.

When Atlanta Thrasher enforcer Eric Boulton was asked if it is realistic to expect two players in the heat of the battle to suddenly stop throwing punches if a helmet comes off, he was quick to respond, “No it’s absolutely not [realistic]. I don’t like that rule at all,” said Boulton. “I don’t know how you would ever enforce that.”

It’s hard to imagine that players caught up in a high-adrenaline slugfest would be capable of stopping a fight if a helmet came off, but that seems to be the suggestion picking up the most steam. So that presents the question ‘How can you make a rule like that work?’

“They would have to have legislation for that,” Bowman responded. “The penalties have to be so severe that the players will stop fighting and won’t take the chance [of getting disciplined]”.

Boulton elaborated on potential rule changes. “I think there could be a few [new] rules put in place, like not removing the helmet and maybe implementing a rule that you can’t toss a guy [to the ice] in a fight. That’s where an injury can occur with a guy banging his head on the ice.”

Regardless of intense public heat put on the leagues to implement tighter regulations or ban fighting from the sport, don’t expect fighting to completely disappear from the game.

Eliminating such a popular and traditional asset of the game would create uproar from the fan base and cause economic strain on the sport.

Like it or not, some fans come out to see the fights. There’s a reason hard-nosed NHL players like Donald Brashear, Riley Cote and Jared Boll are fan favorites.

Bowman was asked how he felt about one-dimensional players who are strictly enforcers. “I think enforcers will become a dying breed in the NHL. The problem I have is guys I call ‘irregular players’ that play less than 5 minutes in a game and they are there [only] to fight”.

Many, including Boulton, believe an unwritten ‘code of ethics’ exists between the fighters in the NHL.

“I would say 99% of the guys are respectable of each other and their jobs,” said Boulton. “We all know it’s a hard job to do and you need to have that respect. I’ve seen a lot of that this year, if a guy goes down [players] not hitting him or if a jersey goes over a head; not hitting him, things like that.”

In the NHL where there are no mandatory visor rules in place, players normally keep their helmets on when they fight unless they agree to remove them for dramatic effect to bring the crowds to their feet.

Those gladiator-type scenarios may soon be over if the NHL gets aggressive and implements sterner rules with disciplinary consequences.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ATLANTA, GA. – Last week, Myles Stoesz was going through his regular routine, laying back to refuel from an all-night bus trip from a game the night before when he got a call from Atlanta Thrashers V.P. Assistant GM Larry Simmons, a call that would change his life.”We had a late night getting back from a game in South Carolina,” said Stoesz. “I just laid down about four o’clock. I got a call, looked at my caller ID and it was Larry Simmons. He told me I was traded.

At first it didn’t sink in. I went and told my roommate, ‘Dude, I just got traded’ then it finally started to sink in. It was a shock for the first day and a half. That night I pretty much sat in my room staring at all my stuff thinking ‘How do I start packing all this stuff'”

Stoesz was part of a deal at the NHL trade deadline that also sent Thrashers defenseman Niclas Havelid to the Devils for Anssi Salmela. With the Thrashers organization overflowing with prospects, Stoesz has yet to be called up and don an NHL uniform but the 22-year-old prospect is hoping for an opportunity in the New Jersey system.

Instead of placing him on the ECHL Trenton Devils roster, the Devils assigned Stoesz to their AHL affiliate Lowell Devils team.

As a few formalities run their course, Stoesz anxiously awaits an opportunity to show what he can do on an AHL sheet of ice. “I think they want their doctors to take a look at me to clear me as far as playing so I don’t know if I’ll be playing this weekend,” said the rugged winger. “I’m happy to be here at practice with the guys and see more of the AHL. I’m taking it one day at a time and will work my butt off as far as practice goes.”

“I want to play. I’m looking forward to my first opportunity,” he added. “All I need is my one shot, one opportunity; and I definitely won’t disappoint them.”

This season, Stoesz, the Steinbach, Manitoba native suited up for 43 games with the Thrashers ECHL affiliate Gwinnett Gladiators and tallied 7 points, (4g,3a) while accumulating 158 penalty minutes.

Known for his leadership in and around the locker room, Stoesz is no stranger to fisticuffs. He recorded 449 career penalty minutes over less than two seasons in the ECHL, including a league-leading 281 minutes last season.

Although he will miss the fans in Gwinnett, being delegated to the AHL has many rewards and is one step away from the NHL.

A fan-favorite in Gwinnett, Stoesz’ appreciation for fan support never has gone unnoticed. “Gwinnett has some of the best fans in the ECHL. They support the team and they supported me tremendously,” said Stoesz. “I’m going to miss them and I want to thank them for coming out and watching while I was there, for buying my jerseys and for putting my videos on ‘YouTube’. That was nice to have.”

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax