Some background on what we have done/said on Blows to the Head

Meagher to: Colin Campbell, Mike Murphy, Kris King

11/01/200810:16 PM

Guys,
Blows to the head has received considerable attention and discussion over the past
couple of years. Here is some background on what the GM's have discussed, what the
factors were that went in to the Downie decision and a pretty good article from a year
ago that has some comments from Golie and some GM's ... hopefully this is usefull
background for the Monday taping ... I will help direct the discussion with some specific
questions ...
GM's Meeting - November 7, 2006
Blows to the Head
A discussion ensued regarding intentional hits to a player's head, and Mr. Campbell
asked for direction from the General Managers as to whether these types of hits should
be penalized. Darcy Regier stated that retaliation and head hunting should be illegal.
Brian Burke noted that the majority of hits shown on the video were good clean hits
and should not be penalized. Bob Gainey suggested that the rules be changed to
decrease the amount of time after a player releases a puck when he can still be legally
hit. A discussion also ensued regarding whether hits below the waist should be
deemed illegal, which Chicago supported.
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GM's Meeting - June 4, 2007

Blows to the Head
Mr. Campbell showed a powerpoint presentation regarding hits to the head, and raised
the question as to whether shoulder hits t9:<the head should be illegal. Mr. Campbell
raised a number of considerations for the <Beroieral Mariagers to consider, including the
elements of timing, the size ofshoulder pads, a question as to whether players were
targ~ti~~ oth_er players' heads, wl'l~ther}t~r"t!ile}~Pf~~in various amateur l~agues
prohibitinq hits to head has been eff- llct1v9,'LartdW~et~el-ihe focus by the media on a
few select hits to the head has been.\iisprn'po~ionatelas compared to the overall
number of hits to the head. Mr. Campbell showed a videotape that illustrated illegal hits
that either caused injury to a player's head or had the potential to cause injury to the
head, and requested the General Managers' input as to whether certain hits to the head
should be illegal. Mr. Campbell stated that the matter would later be presented to the
Board of Governors.
Mr. Campbell explained that the League's approach had been to not penalize clean hits
where the shoulder makes contact with the head; however, following the game, the
practice has been for the League to review such hits and determine whether
supplemental discipline is necessary by examining the timing of the hit, whether the
player left his feet and whether the player appeared to be intentionally targeting his

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opponent's head. Mr. Campbell posed the question whether all shoulder to head hits
should be illegal even though such a rule might alter the way the game is played.
A discussion ensued. Several General Managers expressed concern with hits that
occurred after a player already had released the puck. Additional concerns were
raised, including: (1) players making contact with opponents who had just passed the
puck and were thus vulnerable; (2) players leaving their feet to make a hit; and (3)
players intentionally targeting the head of their opponent. Brian Burke stated his view
that clean hits involving contact with a player's head should not be penalized, and
raised a concern that hitting should not be reduced. Darcy Regier stated that the
players now entering into the League now have played in leagues that punish hits to the
head, and suggested that the NHL follow suit. Other General Managers expressed
their view that rule changes are not necessary regarding hits to the head.
Commisioner Bettman identified two issues for discussion: (1) whether the League
should be issuing longer suspensions for illegal hits; and (2) whether a "legal" hit
needed to be redefined.
A discussion ensued. A vote was conducted to determine whether the General
Managers believed that Chris Neil's hit on Chris Drury was illegal. Nine General
Managers believed it was illegal, and 21 did not.
Bob Gainey proposed a zero tolerance policy on contact with the head. Stephen
Walkom explained that policing such a rule would be difficult because contact with the
head would closely resemble a body check.
Commissioner Bettman proposed a rule banning hits where the initial or primary contact
was with the head. A vote was conducted on whether the League should implement a
penalty for contact that is made only to the head: 23 General Managers voted in favor
of implementing such a penalty, six voted against it and one abstained. A second vote
was conducted on whether the League should implement a penalty for contact that is
made initially to the head: one General Marna ers vat~!] in favor of such a rule, 17 voted
against it, seven abstained and one ~a~ alsent. Oommissioner Bettman stated that
the League would draft languag~mposmg,,,8\pemaltY' foiilJead-only contact where the
player receiving the hit was vulrnerapl~,
wpvil~ ri'3v~ffi/f it with the Competition
1
aF1G:l
Committee.
-,
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Video Examples for Interview
Doug Weight on Brandon Sutter
Bell on Alfredsson (2007-08)
Torres on Williams (2006-07)
Regehr on Downie (2006-07)

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####

Colie's Public Comments on Downie Suspension - September, 2006

Over the last several months the league has met with players, coaches, general
managers and owners on the subject of hits to the head, said NHL Executive Vice
President and Director of Hockey Operations, Colin Campbell.
While all of the stakeholders in our league agree that hitting is an important part of the
essence of the NHL game, all were also unanimous in the belief that where a player
deliberately targets an opponent's head, the conduct should be subject to review and
the possible assessment of supplemental discipline.
Specificallythe followingfactorswere identifiedas being relevant to whethera
player shouldbe subjectto supplemental disciplinewhen a hit to an opponent's
head is involved: 1. when a player targets an opponent'shead; 2. when a player
launches himselfby leaving his seat to hit a player in the head area; 3) when the
hit to the head is delivered to an unsuspectingopponent; and 4) the
timing/latenessof the hit.
An additionalfactor in consideringwhetherdisciplineis appropriate is whether
the player is a repeat offender.
When any or all of these factors combine to cause an injury to an opponent, it was
agreed that a player would be subject to supplemental discipline in the form of a game
suspension. When all or substantially all of the factors are involved, it is clear that the
suspension should be more severe.
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The NHL is crackingdown on dirty hits, e_speciall~ blowsto the head, but in doing
so, is it takinga key aspect of roek~y ~t of ~he.. .,game?
John Shipley, Pioneer Press, St,ful, Mirl .
1
November 9, 2007
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1\ / ,.L}~

Nov. 9--Derek Boogaard believes the NHL is trying to take all the fun out of hockey,
stuff like hitting and fighting and losing teeth. If the league has its way, he said, the
game would evolve into one big, happy bore.
"They can put us in big bubbles," the Wild enforcer cracked.
But Boogaard might be surprised to learn that the man the NHL has put in charge of
policing games and meting out discipline for dirty hits doesn't necessarily disagree. In
fact, Colin Campbell wonders how far the league can go, and should go, in reining in
the game's intrinsic violence.

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"We have to look at the big picture," the NHL's senior executive vice president for
hockey operations said this week. "We have to stand back and say, 'What are we
regulating?'
"Hitting is allowed, the boards are there; the players aren't going to fall over a snow
bank on the pond. If you want to eliminate some of these injuries, you've got to take
hitting away from the boards. Is that what we really want to do?"
In other words, is the NHL in danger of micromanaging a vital aspect of hockey right out
of the game?
This question was put directly to the test when Philadelphia's Randy Jones checked
Boston's Patrice Bergeron hard on the forecheck during an Oct. 27 game. Bergeron hit
the boards face first and crumpled unconscious to the ice with a concussion and broken
nose.
When Philadelphia's Steve Downie went after Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond with
an elbow to the head during an exhibition
game this fall, it was clearly a dirty hit. When Todd Bertuzzi, then with Vancouver,
blindsided Colorado's Steve Moore late in 2003, it was blatantly over the line. When the
Islanders' Chris Simon swung his stick at the chin of the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg last
spring, it defined "cheap shot."
But what of Jones' check? It was hard, it was away from the boards, and it was from
behind. But both players were moving, and Bergeron was corralling the puck. Jones hit
him hard and dislodged the puck, which is not only a legitimate play, it's one that
happens dozens of times in every game.
Campbell gave him a two-day suspension without pay.
The NHL is taking a harder line than ever cm heatl snots, according to deputy
commissioner Bill Daly, expandinp suspensions and analyzing nearly every big hit in
every t~levised ga~e. The initiatl\Y~ iS. ~ni'?d~~9~tl~~l. CJrbing h~ad injuries,
Wi~d
fans might be surp~1sed
know t~a\1t eve~ haa ~ampbti11 and his staff studying Keith
Tkachuk's unpenalized hit on Kt1Fl1s Poster on Nov\ 1.L

"I know the league has the safety of the players in mind, but the bottom line is it's a
physical game and you know the risks when you step on the ice," said Wild winger Mark
Parrish, who has taken more than his share of hits during a nine-year career.
"When you lace 'em up and go out there for a game, you know what can happen. That's
what makes it a sport, I guess," he said. "So you've got to be careful, because you
certainly don't want to take the passion out of hockey."
'LACK OF REGARD'

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On the other hand, no one believes there is a place in hockey for the kinds of head
shots that have made headlines the past several months, from former Flyer Jesse
Boulerice's cross-check to the face of Vancouver's Ryan Kesler to Downie nearly
ripping McAmmond's head off with an elbow.
Both of those hits happened last month.
"If it's a legal body check, then I think that's fine," Calgary coach Mike Keenan said. "If
you're head-hunting, then that's not fine. People that are experienced and have been in
the game long enough can identify and distinguish the difference."
When one considers the NHL's 30 teams play a combined 2,460 regular-season
games, the cheap shots are "few and far between," Wild general manager Doug
Risebrough said. But, he added, "They're pretty impactful ones (because) there are still
some players -- or some players in certain instances -- who show a total lack of regard
for the most vulnerable spot on the body."
None of which would be a big deal if these hits didn't often result in head injuries, which
are gradually being taken more seriously by players and teams in all sports.
"I remember getting a concussion in juniors," Keenan said, "and they used to call it
getting your bell rung. I was out for two shifts, and I was back out there again."
Now players are diagnosed with concussions more often and held out of competition
until their symptoms subside, which can take days or months. In simplest terms, a
concussion is a brain injury caused when a person's head is jarred so violently that the
brain moves inside the skull.
One doesn't have to be hit directly in the head to receive a concussion, but it helps -which is why the NHL is trying to crack down on shots to the head.
"Are we setting the bar higher? The bottom line is yes," Daly said. There is a feeling
among players, coaches and owners, he sai0, "tttiat certain head hits are unacceptable
and need to be penalized mor~stringe9t1y~~n i1n t~e p~t."
Of the nine longest suspensions ~~L ~toiv~Y6 ~'Iles or more - three were
handed out over the past seveA mon1hs. Simon and Beulerice each got 25 games, a
league record, and Downie got 20 for his preseason hit on McAmmond.
But do the suspensions work? Consider the Downie and Boulerice hits came months
after Simon got what was then the only 25-game suspension in NHL history. Wild
center Eric Belanger said something more basic than league discipline needs to
change.
"There has to be a respect level between the players," Belanger said. "When you see a
guy in a vulnerable position, you don't freakin' hit him. That's what I think. I know it's
part of the game, it happens fast, but when you know there's a guy in danger and you
might hurt him, why would you?

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"We're the guys who are supposed to be there for each other."
'WEIRD LINE'
Campbell played for four NHL teams between 1973-1985, and he has heard the
argument that players had more respect for one another in the old days. Baloney, he
said.
"I wouldn't call it respect," he said. "We went into Philly back then and they had no
respect for anybody, and it was the same in some other arenas."
But there was, he said, a kind of code, and players followed it. Anaheim coach Randy
Carlyle, one of the last NHL players not to wear a helmet, said the same thing when
asked about it last spring. There just weren't as many shots to the head back then.
"A lot of the players we were hitting didn't even have a helmet on; you had to be careful
you didn't drive their head into the boards," said Campbell, a defenseman who earned
the nickname "The Sheriff." "Now everyone is covered in shields and helmets."
Players, Campbell said, feel invulnerable. They're skating faster; they're bigger. Guys
are going to get hurt. Campbell suspended Jones not because he felt he was trying to
hurt Bergeron but because Bergeron was in a "vulnerable position" when Jones
back-checked him. This, Campbell acknowledges, is a tricky business, especially since
the NHL started cracking down on holding and hooking.
"Teams cycle more now," Campbell said. "Ten years ago, no one knew what a cycle
was, now everyone is cycling, and players are playing with their faces to the boards to
protect the puck. You can't clutch, you can't grab, you can't hook -- how are you
supposed to play then, if you can't hit them?"
Then there is the matter of what could be ~een as a double standard when it comes to
a hard check and fight, when, Campbell noteGl, "You're trying to drill a guy in the head."
Fighters almost always get penallzeqfor fighting, ISut they rarely get supplemental
discipline.

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"There is a weird line there," Daly sa1G.i,..!.'..and fi@hting is_a.gainst the rules of our game
and is penalized within those rules. But it's also an activity that is generally engaged in
with the acceptance of the participants, so there is an assumption-of-risk issue that's
relative to fighting and not necessarily to an illegal hit."
HISTORY LESSON
All NHL players are familiar with assumption of risk; it comes with the territory. With that
comes a certain responsibility to take care of yourself, veteran Wild center Wes Walz
said.
"There has to be something said for players on the ice protecting themselves," he said.

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Part of that, he added, is knowing who you're on the ice with.

"That's probably the biggest thing," he said. "Certain guys just don't take certain shots
at guys when they're vulnerable, and other guys do. When you've played in the league
as long as I have, you know the guys on every team that are like that. You need to
know where they are on the ice at all times."
Guys such as, say, Edmonton's Raffi Torres, who has an impressive YouTube resume
of questionable hits and was fined $2,500 for blindsiding Calgary's David Moss last
month. He wasn't suspended, but the fine qualifies him as a repeat offender if he's
punished again.
Risebrough likes the repeat offender factor and believes it might turn out that 20-game
suspensions aren't enough. Yet another issue he foresees is players faking head hits.
"What always happens in situations like this, when good intentions are there to protect
players, is that because players are so competitive, they try to take advantage of that
protection," he said. "Maybe they'll embellish hits or don't look after themselves and put
themselves into position to take a bad hit. It's tough to monitor, and it comes back to
officiating."
As an example he cited skill players who take a dive in order to draw a hooking or
tripping call. The rules, he noted, were put in place for their benefit, yet they're often
looking for an additional edge. The same will happen with the new head-shot rules,
Risebrough predicted.
IT'S A JUDGMENT CALL
"Somewhere along there you really have to draw the line, and where you have to draw
it is a difficult decision," Parrish said, "and hopefully where they draw it isn't just some
place they decided on when they woke up one morning. There needs to be careful
deliberation about it."
Campbell said he consults witli"'many P,eo12I~, in9lud~11g \Staff full of former NHL
players, before deciding whethe~t~~Fr1d 01.i~a s~sP,e1~ion. Often he'll call general

managers from the other confe~enc,anda,sk (~e1\bPE~ns.

It's a judgment call, but generally not as much as you might think, he said. In the age of
the NHL Network and TSN and ESPN, there is ample video evidence available. But one
can never forget that hockey is a contact sport -- always has been, always will be.

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