New Study Reveals a Horrifying Truth for NHL Enforcers
PUBLICATION
S. Harper
May 10, 2023 (4:03 PM)
Fighting in hockey, one of the biggest yet most controversial topics, is something that many fans, myself included, passionately enjoy. However, there has been a growing concern about this aspect of the game, with numerous individuals advocating for its removal.
The National Hockey League (NHL) may indeed need to contemplate this removal more seriously, especially in light of a recent study. The research suggests that NHL players who frequently engage in fights tend to die approximately ten years earlier on average than their non-fighting counterparts.
Dr. Dave Ellemberg, a professor at Universite de Montreal and a specialist in sports medicine, said in an interview with CP he was shaken to see that athletes in the control groups died on average in their mid-50s.
«That's extremely young,» he said.
A Columbia University study of 6,039 former NHL players since 1967 showed enforcers (50+ career fights) died on average a decade younger than their comparable peers.
Mean avg age of death for fighters was 47.5.
Avg age of death of control group was 57.7.
There have been tragic instances of mortality among NHL enforcers such as Bob Probert, whose death many attribute to the consequences of frequent fighting. Additionally, several players have reportedly developed addictions to painkillers, a problem often linked to the physical toll taken by these on-ice confrontations.
Despite the entertainment value that fights may add to the game, the health of the players should always be the paramount concern. If ensuring their wellbeing necessitates the removal of fighting from hockey, then we must be prepared to accept such a change.
POLL |
Would you still watch hockey if they removed fighting? |
Yes | 274 | 63.4 % |
No | 158 | 36.6 % |
List of polls |
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