NHL Banned Hits to the Head

Earlier today, the NHL players union voted that hits to the head on players who aren’t expecting will be banned. This new rule will become effective immediately applied to the future games to come. They will be testing the rule out in the few games. The union feels that the game of hockey has become a little violent and unpredictable.

This rule was thought of after there was a unpunished blindside hit by Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke against Boston’s Marc Savard back on March 7. Shortly after that, there was the increased pressure to vote on a new rule. Savard suffered a concussion that will probably sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. Sports are suppose to be fun and competitive, but never violent.

The new rule bans “lateral, back-pressure or blindside hits to an opponent where the head is targeted.” The league will have the power to review such hits and apply further discipline. “We believe this is the right thing to do for the game and for the safety of our players,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. “The elimination of these types of hits should significantly reduce the number of injuries, including concussions, without adversely affecting the level of physicality in the game.”

Our athletes have to be protected and at their best at all times for their career sake.

I hope this rule sticks because it looks like it might work.