Read for yourself, This about a group of promoters who want to have a fighting tournament similar to fights seen in games. There will be 64 former or current playing hockey players. The last man standing will win $50,000
Expect this to be very controversial when it becomes reality next year. While the NHL and other hockey organizations will say it’s a terrible idea, inside they really want to do it because it will bring a huge amount of publicity to the game. More than it had in many years. I’m all for it if it brings new fans into the game.
The concept works better if they use baseball players. There hasn’t been a bench clearing brawl in the NHL for years.
No matter what anybody says, the average fan loves a fight but this idea is just stupid. I also doubt that this would do anything to increase hockeys fan base, for the most part the media would just use this as another chance to perpetuate stereotypes about the game.
I’m questioning how well this would work since most hockey fights are more or less spontaneous. Are they going to be able to work up the right amount of agression to pummel each other barehanded for no particular reason?
Some of the local radio commentators think this is going to be a huge hit, but personally I think the organizers are going to lose their shirts on this. It’s going to be pay-per-view. Who would actually pay $20 to see this?
I’m with Raygun…I’ve played hockey for 15 years, and when I get the urge to hit someone it’s because of something that happened in the game. I’d have a tough time getting motivated for something like this. But, I guess that’s what the 50k is for…
Isn’t it amazing how much less players have felt the heat of the moment since the NHL instituted the third-man-in rule? C’mon, even now, most teams have a designated “enforcer” whose primary job is to exact revenge for his team, against a preselected target and in a preplanned way. If the organizers are planning a tournament specifically for those fight-experienced goons and not “real” players, then hell yes, there will be an audience for it. Might even include me.