The Head Check

The NHL and its GMs need to make changes to thier rule book.  Head checks are becoming more and more common in todays game and it is only a matter of time before somebody pays the ultimate price.  With all the recent controversy regarding the head check I think that it is important to discuss a few of the issues that are not being discussed.  Don't get me wrong I am very much a hockey traditionalist, and I love to see a big hit, but what I do not like is the image of a young man laying motionless on the ice.  The game has changed and the players have changed.  The NFL has made rule changes to adapt to the new game and the new players, it is time the NHL follows suit.

Players in the NHL today are bigger, stronger, faster and more talented than NHL Players of the past.  The equipment is better for protecting but also less forgiving.  All in all the game has changed and it is a direct result of the players in the game improving at a rate that is faster than the rules can keep up.  The NFL has implemented a penalty for DBs targeting the heads of unsuspecting wide recievers.  I am all for this rule.  (sidenote I am not for the QB is a Princess Rule Change).  The NHL should follow suit.  I think that it is an easy fix.  Implement a head check penalty.  The minor hockey association that I am familar with has a 2min minor penalty for head checking that comes with an automatic 10min misconduct.  Anything deemed with an intent to injure by the on ice official is an automatic match penalty.  Now the I understand that this is a flawed system with the official being the judge and jury but the NHL has an advantage.  Make the head check an automatic 4min penalty that is subject to review.  It is a small penalty but it will make a big difference.  For all you Traditionalists out there I know that the officials will miss calls and make the wrong calls on occassion and  it may even cost a team a game or the coveted Lord Stanley, but it will make the game a safer game and allow all of our young stars excel and continue to make the game exciting.
 

The Game is fast and I understand that but we are talking about highly skilled, highly intelligent, extremely fit athletes that are capable of making proper decisions when there are consequences involved.  The Obstruction rules changed the game for the better and I believe that the head check rule will change the game for the better.  Don't worry the boys won't stop hitting because of it I mean they didn't stop hitting when they implemented the elbowing penalty.