Just want to make my position clear:
I understand that Montador's condition may have nothing to do with fighting.
I agree that the NHL has been better about trying to reduce the damage from concussions compared to the NFL (reading League of denial right now).
Polls that were reported in the news 30 or 40 years ago stated that 80 % of American fans wanted to keep fighting,vs about half in Canada. That may have changed, haven't seen a recent poll.
Regardless, some players make a career out of fighting (or used to). I want this disgusting aspect of hockey gone. It isn't allowed in any other Pro league outside of N America, or the Olympics, or World championships.
What other sport allows the players to "police" the game? Are the refs not competent to handle this?
And I hate seeing a clean hit end up in a goon fest. Dirty hits should result in suspensions and fines, not a fight to see who was right.
And as I said originally - it results in unnecessary injuries, many of them concussions.
Edit 1 -
Ok found a study from a US rag that says in the US its still 80 - 20 (http://www.latinpost.com/articles/2...ional-hockey-league-ban-fighting-poll.htm[/B] )