You can instantly tell someone who’s never seriously played the game.  I’m not saying Burke is right or Kelley is wrong, just that he doesn’t understand a lot of small things about competitive hockey that you wouldn’t get unless you’ve been there. 

A perfect example is right here:

Even conceding that every team needs a certain amount of toughness just to keep the opposition from taking liberties (something that wouldn’t be necessary with a well-administered rule book) one has to wonder why Liambas is the player of choice here.

Team toughness is more than just a having a fighter.  It’s making the opposing team hear footsteps when there isn’t any, worried that if they hold onto it too long, they’ll get creamed.  Its having that guy that goes out and changes the way the other team plays.  His lack of knowledge in this area, simply thinking that toughness equals fights and cheapshots, just goes to show that he understands the game as a sportswriter, not as a player or coach. 

Now I’m not defending Burke’s decision, I know nothing about Liambas other than I think, while his check was reckless, the other kid did turn RIGHT before he hit him.  A lifetime suspension seems like a reactionary move without really considering the situation.

Posted by Chris from NOHS from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 09/09/10 at 04:59 PM ET

Unfortunately, Kelley did not provide any examples of players who have been given a second chance and seem to have turned their hockey careers around.  I’m speaking of Steve Downie, who appeared to be headed out of hockey (at least the NHL at any rate) after a very bad hit on the Senators Dean McAmmond a few seasons ago.  Although he doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game (his 208 penalty minutes last season speak volumes), he also recorded 22 goals and 46 points in 79 games.  Of course, providing this example would deter Kelley from his true agenda, but it also would have balanced out the article somewhat, at least in my opinion.

Posted by dash_pinched on 09/09/10 at 05:37 PM ET

He later signed with a team in the International League and was involved in another serious injury infraction. He was sorry for that one as well, and even his injured opponent acknowledged it was something of a fluke accident even if it did cost the opponent his spleen.

I heard some takes from people who saw it live, most of them felt it was NOT accidental, even though the recipient (I believe it was Lawmaster from Muskegon) felt it was an accident.  People who saw it live at the game said it was the very same reckless kind of play, and not really accidental.

I’m sorry, but this repeat is all you need to know about the guy.  Once is an accident.  Twice is a trend.

Chris Pronger’s been claiming “acccidental” elbows for years.  Is anyone stupid enough to actually believe him?

Exactly.

Posted by Primis on 09/09/10 at 09:37 PM ET