tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949598516429271901.post1824449295470519347..comments2024-03-09T16:31:23.329-04:00Comments on Hockey Historysis: Who Was the First Thug?Iain Fyffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10700943806242207382noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949598516429271901.post-37956750260009671052012-07-08T11:13:16.712-03:002012-07-08T11:13:16.712-03:00Thanks Paul, and the same goes for your article. G...Thanks Paul, and the same goes for your article. Good work.<br /><br />Normally I like to stick to pre-1927 topics, but this is an important one and one that I've been addressing for many years now. Ignorance of the history of face-punching in hockey can only lead to greater acceptance of it.Iain Fyffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10700943806242207382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949598516429271901.post-56472652807481951142012-07-07T14:21:07.821-03:002012-07-07T14:21:07.821-03:00Great post Iain. I will reference it on my site as...Great post Iain. I will reference it on my site as further evidence that fighting has not always been part of the game. I posted a similar article back in March which looked at more recent history and how the Flyers ushered in the era of the enforcer. You can read it here - http://itsnotpartofthegame.blogspot.ca/2012/04/how-did-we-get-here.html<br /><br />Although I agree the trend looks like enforcers and fighting are being reduced in recent seasons, the culture won't change overnight. For every progressive team, like a Detroit, there will be another that adds a 1-dimensional fighter, like Buffalo adding Scott. Until the NHL and NHLPA become more progressive and work together to protect both players and the image of hockey, you will see enforcers lurking in press boxes and at the end of the bench.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06422548471006288988noreply@blogger.com