Fighting in Men's League Hockey

[ZombieAttack27 1]

I'm a senior in high school who has only been in two one-on-one fights in my whole youth hockey "career".

Needless to say, competitive youth hockey will be over for me in a couple months. I was on youtube watching NHL fights during english (I was bored and think they're cool, sue me), and was inspired to ask the quesiton, "Is fighting allowed in men's league hockey".

After giving it some thought, I could only think of a couple possible answers:

-It is completely forbidden and will get you kicked out of the league for an indeterminate amount of time, not to mention possible criminal assault charges (these are men we're dealing with here)

-It is sanctioned by the league, but is dealt with like youth/HS hockey (game misconduct, one game suspension)

-It is allowed in a similar fashion to Juniors and the NHL (5 minute penalty)

-Some mixture of the above depending on the league, skill level, and players involved (was it mutually agreed upon or one attacking the other/was it an advanced player attacking a weak player/etc.)

I have no immediate plans to even play mens' hockey after college (I might play Div. III or club), let alone fight in them, but this issue inspired my curiosity. I know there are a lot of mens' league players on these forums, so hopefully somebody can provide an answer to my question.

[lukejameslarson 5]

Most adult recreational leagues that I've seen prohibit fighting, and it is generally handled with a game misconduct and a 1-3 game suspension. I've also seen leagues that fine you in addition to the penalties/suspension.

[Vulcan7905 88]

Depends on the league and rink. At our rink and league, once you throw the punch you're banned from the rink and league. IMHO, I think it's frowned upon in beer leagues. Not sure about C level and up how ever.

[ZombieAttack27 1]

I'm also not familiar with the level of mens' league hockey. Are there very competitive mens' hockey leagues for advanced ex-college/junior A players? I was always under the impression that mens' league hockey was non-contact "just for fun" kind of stuff. Maybe just because that's all I see at the local rink.

[AllCanadian 2]

Here in the top leagues it's 1 game suspension. In the beginner leagues I think it's 3. Drop in/Duffer scraps usually get you a 1 month ban more for repeat offenders.

[natbat 0]

Here in Metro-Detroit they have no problem kicking you out of the rink, even calling the cops. Adult league is for fun. When you play competitive (Travel, Juniors, and so on..) hockey...... fighting is to intimidate the other team, to set a tone. With adult league...intimidation dosen't come into play, at least it should'nt. I have bills, children and a job. I cannot afford to get injured over a hockey game. When you play high school, juniors, etc....there is a chance you can make a career out of it. It is sad because I have seen so many guys get seriously injured in adult league.

[ZombieAttack27 1]

The logic makes perfect sense. In my opinion.... fighting should only be allowed in leagues and games where the crowd is a factor because they have such an impact on the momentum of the game and fighting fires them up. For example, in 18U travel games where the parents don't even go, fighting should be prohibited because the only motive is violence and injury to the other player. In high school however, there are hundreds of students at some games, and fighting should be a game misconduct without a suspension.

[natbat 0]

The logic makes perfect sense. In my opinion.... fighting should only be allowed in leagues and games where the crowd is a factor because they have such an impact on the momentum of the game and fighting fires them up. For example, in 18U travel games where the parents don't even go, fighting should be prohibited because the only motive is violence and injury to the other player. In high school however, there are hundreds of students at some games, and fighting should be a game misconduct without a suspension.

Agree!!! When I played junior's fighting was a 2 minute penalty....People paid to see us and some of my teammates made a career out of it. I played D and it was my job to set a tone, let the other team know you can't get near my goalie. In adult league, when the whisle blows I skate away. I got it out of my system when it counted!!!....is what I tell people. Now I play for fun.

[technophile 0]

I'm also not familiar with the level of mens' league hockey. Are there very competitive mens' hockey leagues for advanced ex-college/junior A players?

There are; for example the A division of this league in Salt Lake City says it's for "former pros, college and junior players, and players who were at the travel team level as they progressed through the youth hockey ranks." Whether that league allows checking I don't know, but I do know that typically the higher the level of play the more contact is allowed; in Austin the AA and A leagues (which also were very competitive and had very high-level players) had "incidental" contact that looked quite a bit like checking along the walls (no open ice stuff though).

[ZombieAttack27 1]

There are; for example the A division of this league in Salt Lake City says it's for "former pros, college and junior players, and players who were at the travel team level as they progressed through the youth hockey ranks." Whether that league allows checking I don't know, but I do know that typically the higher the level of play the more contact is allowed; in Austin the AA and A leagues (which also were very competitive and had very high-level players) had "incidental" contact that looked quite a bit like checking along the walls (no open ice stuff though).

Interesting.... My brother plays at the travel A level (not juniors) and there are some kids out there who have no business playing travel, let alone competing with former pros in ten years.

[coryroth24 15]

It's rec beer league hockey, fighting should not be tolerated what so ever. We all have jobs and need to get up in the morning. What the hell is worth fighting for at 11 at night? Anyway, back to the question. Fight in the men's league at Bridgewater Sports Arena gets you three games and the TEAM fined $50.

[technophile 0]

Interesting.... My brother plays at the travel A level (not juniors) and there are some kids out there who have no business playing travel, let alone competing with former pros in ten years.

I would imagine those players would end up in B or even C. Just because A allows players with travel experience doesn't mean you automatically get to play in A just because you have that experience. ;)

[ZombieAttack27 1]

It's rec beer league hockey, fighting should not be tolerated what so ever. We all have jobs and need to get up in the morning. What the hell is worth fighting for at 11 at night? Anyway, back to the question. Fight in the men's league at Bridgewater Sports Arena gets you three games and the TEAM fined $50.

Are you talking about bridgewater sports arena in New jersey? I have high school practice there three to four times a week! It's cool to see someone from NJ on here other than Darkstar

[coryroth24 15]

Are you talking about bridgewater sports arena in New jersey? I have high school practice there three to four times a week! It's cool to see someone from NJ on here other than Darkstar

The only rink in NJ where you can skate up hill for one period and down hill the next? Yup, dats it!

[Axxion89 32]

It's rec beer league hockey, fighting should not be tolerated what so ever. We all have jobs and need to get up in the morning. What the hell is worth fighting for at 11 at night? Anyway, back to the question. Fight in the men's league at Bridgewater Sports Arena gets you three games and the TEAM fined $50.

This

Anybody who fights in men's league is either trying to compensate for something they lack or insecure about, or they are messed in the head and just want to get into a fight for the hell of it. The 3 people in the stands (mostly wives and kids) don't need to see an insurance salesman and a construction worker go at it. Besides that, its a liability if someone gets into a fight and gets beat cause regardless of whether the rink claims no liability, the rink and league does not want to deal with a lawsuit.

PS - Bridgewater arena sucks

[shoeshine boy 242]

in our league, which has 8 different divisions spanning from former pros to absolute beginners fighting gets you 5 and a game. on your second suspension of the season it's automatically 3 games and on your 3rd you're done for the season.

typically there's nothing sadder than a lower level beer league fight. I've seen some good fights in our top division but the lower division have no idea how hard it is the fight on skates.

[black hills tj 5]

Not allowed here in any of the three "tiers" of men's league. First offense is a $50 dollar fine and 2 games. A game misconduct alone(distributed by refs as they see fit or as a result of picking up 3 penalties in a game) earns you a game in the stands.

[Stoop 1]

Yeah, can't see how it has any place in low level beer leagues. As for upper level Men's leagues - that's a totally different species, and if its part of their game and they want to allow it, more power to them.

But what does fighting mean with cages on anyway? I guess you see punches thrown in college. But with cages on,does it matter?

[ZombieAttack27 1]

I've been punched in the cage before.... didn't retaliate because it didn't hurt. The saddest part about getting punched in the cage is that they have to leave their gloves on so that they don't break their hand. The result is even more padding between the fist and the face.

[AfftonDad 88]

I've been punched in the cage before.... didn't retaliate because it didn't hurt. The saddest part about getting punched in the cage is that they have to leave their gloves on so that they don't break their hand. The result is even more padding between the fist and the face.

Funniest thing I've ever seen was in a cages mandatory league where two guys are about to go at it and they both drop their gloves (just like they seen em do it in the big leagues). Almost immediately you could see the light go on in their heads that punching a cage with a bare hand wouldn't feel too good. So they just stood there like dummies thinking... uh what do we do now.

[BoDangles 0]

I've been punched in the cage before.... didn't retaliate because it didn't hurt. The saddest part about getting punched in the cage is that they have to leave their gloves on so that they don't break their hand. The result is even more padding between the fist and the face.

This is why fighting in high school hockey is the most ridiculous thing ever. Punch a guy in a cage 4-5 times and then get suspended for 3-5 games. Great logic right there.

As for the Men's league I play in, you're kicked out of the league and no refund.

[hampshirepuck 2]

one piece of advice as being a "younger" player(I'm 24) in a mens league is if you really want to get into a fight, look and your buddies dad and ask yourself, would you punch him in the face? cause there is a likely chance the guy your trying to fight is old enough to be your dad.... I am not saying I am a fighter but this past year I have had some close calls and was a man walked away from it, one guy was 18(I did not instigate it) the other had to be in his 50's... just to kind of put it in perspective

Also look up a "boxers fracture", my hand hasn't looked the same since and its super painful.

[chippa13 1844]

The logic makes perfect sense. In my opinion.... fighting should only be allowed in leagues and games where the crowd is a factor because they have such an impact on the momentum of the game and fighting fires them up. For example, in 18U travel games where the parents don't even go, fighting should be prohibited because the only motive is violence and injury to the other player. In high school however, there are hundreds of students at some games, and fighting should be a game misconduct without a suspension.

I can't wait to hear the rationale for why fighting should not be prohibited in high school hockey.

[shoeshine boy 242]

all this talk and I almost ended up in a low level beer league fight last night! asshat shot the puck on my goalie waaaaay after the whistle so I shoved him and told him not to do that. he lost his sh*t and baseball swing style slashed me across the thighs. I shoved him again and he got up in my face telling me not to shove him. I was just about to haul off and punch him when I realized how stupid that would be and glued my arms to my side. two minute penalties for both of us. he should've gotten more for the slash but I'm not sure the ref saw it as we were far away from everyone else.

[black hills tj 5]

all this talk and I almost ended up in a low level beer league fight last night! asshat shot the puck on my goalie waaaaay after the whistle so I shoved him and told him not to do that. he lost his sh*t and baseball swing style slashed me across the thighs. I shoved him again and he got up in my face telling me not to shove him. I was just about to haul off and punch him when I realized how stupid that would be and glued my arms to my side. two minute penalties for both of us. he should've gotten more for the slash but I'm not sure the ref saw it as we were far away from everyone else.

Way to stick up for your goalie, but keep your cool at the same time. My fiance plays goalie for our beer league team, and sometimes I get really irritated when people do the stupid crap they try. I haven't come close to fighting anyone because of it, but I have taken a penalty or two as a result.