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Message to NHL Fans - Enjoy the Game

By Greg Dew
Columbus Wired Columnist
10/9/02

With the dawn of another NHL season upon us, it is time to take a look at what changes will be mean for our Blue Jackets and the league in general.  The league is trumpeting two ideas aimed to improve the game for the fans. 

One is the netting now required in all arenas league wide. Obviously fan safety is important and has been addressed. The netting should be a minimal divergence once fans get used to their use. The other idea is the enforcement of long-standing obstruction rules.

In years past, the NHL has made noise about enforcing these rules only to have the mandate slowly vanish as the season progressed.

This year Head Coach Dave King says the league has sent out the message the mandate will stick. How so? King says the league has told the officials if the rules are not enforced, “we will replace you.”

For the players, this means many will have to adjust to a style of play that has become foreign to them. For the fans, this means the individual skills of the players will have the opportunity to shine.

Obstruction can come about in many forms. Hooking a player to slow him down, hooking a player to “slingshot” your self for a speed advantage, blocking an opposing player without the puck with your body or striking an opposing player with your stick.

To relate to another sport, think of the rules now common in football that has opened the passing game. Contact with the receiver without the ball down the sidelines is illegal.

Picking a defensive player so he was unable to cover the opposition was also banned. As a result, scoring was
increased, skills were revealed yet the physical aspect of the game was unchanged.

Think of the majestic feats of Jerry Rice or the devastating
collisions after a catch enacted by the likes of Ronny Lott.

Likewise in hockey, the ballet-like beauty of a skill player will be enhanced.

The speed, stick handling, and skating of a Geoff Sanderson will become commonplace. At the same time, the brute-like force of Jody Shelley’s game will shine.

Fore-checking will become and integral part of the game. Shelley will be able to wear down the opposition with violent,
highlight real hits. As a result, Sanderson, Espen Knutsen and Ray Whitney should consistently be sprung to showcase their skills.

The game is about to become a whole lot more exciting for fans of the game. Many go to see the violence so inherent in hockey. They will be pleased.