Fight straps

[RadioGaGa 162]

Hi all...I figured someone on here would know this. When did they start putting tie downs on jerseys?

I saw an "Original" Habs jersey from the 80's on ebay...but it doesn't have a fight strap. Wondering if it should.

[the iceman 132]

A few yers ago (I can't remember the exact year). They were created to prevent players from lifting their opponents jerseys over their heads so they could get some 'good shots in'. As you now know that in the NHL when the jersey comes off it usually means a game misconduct. In addition to using the straps, some players also use laces to keep their jerseys tied down.

[Tricky4L 0]

I've seen a lot of old jerseys from 71-84 with laces swen into the back. Good question though... god knows they've saved my ass a couple times.

[Chadd 916]

A few yers ago (I can't remember the exact year). They were created to prevent players from lifting their opponents jerseys over their heads so they could get some 'good shots in'. As you now know that in the NHL when the jersey comes off it usually means a game misconduct. In addition to using the straps, some players also use laces to keep their jerseys tied down.

The penalty came about because Rob Ray would strip before a fight so the other guy had nothing to grab.

[ryno 0]

As Tricky eluded to, fight straps have been around for quite some time in one form or another. Whether it be the old loop style or the velcro/snap style you see in today's jerseys. I've even seen jerseys with a coin and skate lace make shift fight strap.

[Langenbrunner15 0]

A few yers ago (I can't remember the exact year). They were created to prevent players from lifting their opponents jerseys over their heads so they could get some 'good shots in'. As you now know that in the NHL when the jersey comes off it usually means a game misconduct. In addition to using the straps, some players also use laces to keep their jerseys tied down.

The penalty came about because Rob Ray would strip before a fight so the other guy had nothing to grab.

Never knew nor ever seen him. What years did he do this??

[Eazy_b97 1]

He used to always do it until the FS rule came into play. I would guess around 95-96 is when he was really into it. He was traded to Ottawa this past year (maybe 2 years ago), lost alot of his appeal once he had to start fighting guys with his shirt on.

[the iceman 132]

A few yers ago (I can't remember the exact year). They were created to prevent players from lifting their opponents jerseys over their heads so they could get some 'good shots in'. As you now know that in the NHL when the jersey comes off it usually means a game misconduct. In addition to using the straps, some players also use laces to keep their jerseys tied down.

The penalty came about because Rob Ray would strip before a fight so the other guy had nothing to grab.

That's right. I remember it being called "The Rob Ray Rule".

[kosydar 0]

Wasn't he the guy who had shoulder caps attached to his jersey so he didn't have to wear real pads? Like every other NHL rule, this one is never enforced. Last time I remember someone getting a penalty for it was Belak a few years ago.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Yes. The straps were always loose, once the jersey went, everything came off with it.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Antropov was kicked out last year actually. I am surprised more people don't use it. I mean, if its game 7 I send out my tough guy to jump some star. Chances of them having it done up aren't good and then you take the instigator, but play the game without a star..... but I am just cheap like that.

[kosydar 0]

Thats right, he did get the game last year. I was trying so hard to forget everything he did last season, which wasn't that much.

[mik3 1]

I'd say 2/3rds of the goalie fights I've seen have ended up in game misconducts if they end up being more than just grabbing each other's jersey.

[the iceman 132]

Yes. The straps were always loose, once the jersey went, everything came off with it.

And the jersey was 1 or 2 sizes bigger for mobility.

[Chadd 916]

Wasn't he the guy who had shoulder caps attached to his jersey so he didn't have to wear real pads? Like every other NHL rule, this one is never enforced. Last time I remember someone getting a penalty for it was Belak a few years ago.

The jersey has to come all of the way off and if the strap breaks, it's not a penalty.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

A few yers ago (I can't remember the exact year). They were created to prevent players from lifting their opponents jerseys over their heads so they could get some 'good shots in'. As you now know that in the NHL when the jersey comes off it usually means a game misconduct. In addition to using the straps, some players also use laces to keep their jerseys tied down.

The penalty came about because Rob Ray would strip before a fight so the other guy had nothing to grab.

Yep, Chane Churla used to do that too (in fact, rumor had it that he used to sew his pads to his jersey so that when his opponent grabbed his shoulder pads Chane would just slip out of it and the guy wouldn't have anything to grab onto).

[mik3 1]

I don't think anyone got their face buckled as often in the mid-90s as Churla. It seemed like he was always out with some sort of eye or cheek fight-related injury

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

I think he eventually retired because he had a problem making a fist (for real). Broke it so many times that even surgery couldn't help it.... trying to recall the specifics, but I can't seem to.....

[golfpuck 0]

john kordic use to have his sleeves cut up from wrist to shoulder, and velcroed so that when opponents would grab his sleeve, the velcro would break away, and the next thing you saw was his giant fist in your face...

then they banned that..

so mcsorley wore that giant shirt, with big sleeves so even if you grabbed the sleeve, you'd still be eating knuckle sandwiches...

plus he could just glide out of the shirt if the guy got it over his head...

the good old days of hockey violence...

is it worse now.. or back then?... may be that should be a poll

[ryno 0]

While we're on the subject here's a little Basil McRae trick from the late 80's which was outlawed. Cut the sleeve all the way up and then use velcro to hold it together. John Kordic used to do the same thing.

* Edit: Looks like you beat me to the post golfpuck. Mid 90's a lot of fighters were wearing goalie cut jerseys because the sleeves are so much bigger. I'm pretty sure unless you're a goalie you aren't allowed to wear a goalie cut anymore now.

[sabresfan11 0]

Since i used to live in Buffalo, I miss how Rob Ray would do that. When my friends and I played street hockey, there were always fights so i always had my shirt off first. Ahhh, the good old days...