Are hockey fights really treats for fans to applaud?

It isn’t a fight until the finish as Maple Leafs’ dominance of the Flyers ends, March 20 Referring to a fight at a recent Leafs game, sports reporter Kevin McGran wrote “the crowd was treated to a fight” between two players. Treated?

Really? On the opposite page, columnist Bruce Arthur write on the untimely death of former hockey player Chris Simon, a known fighter, whose family believed he suffered from brain injury sustained in his career. Simon and many others died too soon after many years of painful mental and emotional decline. Do any of the players who fought these men feel as if they contributed to their early deaths? How many others who might live into their 60s and 70s continue to feel the effects of fighting and blows to the head?

There are many to blame for this carnage, including NHL leadership (for insufficient long-term penalties for fighting and making intentional hits to the head), coaches and referees, and fans and writers who think two big, strong athletes trying to knock either other senseless is a “treat.” Former Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas hoped the league was about to change and that a speedy, skilful winning team would help inspire and facilitate that change. Alas, it was not to be. Lives will continue to be ruined because the league, not most fans, allow violence and applaud it. Vicious hits and blows to the head are permitted, applauded and inadequately punished. Yes, the NHL is culpable in the deaths of all these men. The administration may express condolences to the families but do team owners, league administration, general managers and coaches feel, really feel, any responsibility for these deaths and shattered lives? Whether or not you feel responsible, you are!

Jack Gallop, Thornhill

The Star’s sports section served up a head-shaking mixed message on fighting in hockey. Kudos to columnist Bruce Arthur for his thoughtful article on the premature death of NHL tough guy Chris Simon. Arthur is right to remind us of the deadly toll fighting has taken on the game’s enforcers. How tone-deaf to see directly opposite Arthur’s cautionary commentary, that coverage of the Leafs game featured a supersized photo of two players fighting. Please stop publishing photos of NHL fights. They dangerously suggest that fighting is an integral part of the game. It’s not. Myer Siemiatycki, Toronto