Are fights allowed in ice hockey? Rules, history and more

Fighting in ice hockey is a unique and regulated aspect of the sport that is deeply rooted in the sport's history and culture.

Despite growing concerns about the health risks, it remains an integral part of the game, with strict rules and codes of conduct among players guiding its implementation.

Ice hockey combat rules

To the untrained eye, a hockey game may look like a chaotic brawl, but it is regulated by strict rules, especially in professional leagues like the National Hockey League (NHL).

According to the NHL rulebook, a brawl is officially considered a fight when at least one player repeatedly punches or attempts to punch an opposing player. It can also be a brawl when two players grapple in such a way that a linesman cannot separate them.

Although only two players may be in a fight at one time, several fights may occur simultaneously on the ice. The instigator rule (rule 46.11) imposes an additional penalty on the player who starts the fight.

This rule, while sometimes controversial, is one of many that regulate fights in hockey. Penalties may also be applied to players who leave the bench to join a fight, fight off the playing field, or fight with non-players, such as coaches.

Why fights are encouraged in ice hockey

A very interesting fact about ice hockey is that even though fighting is against the rules, it is often tolerated and even expected among players due to long-standing traditions.

Former NHL referee Kelly Fraser said fights are such an important part of the sports culture that once they start they usually can't be stopped.

The fights usually start when a player tries to defend a teammate after receiving a hard hit. The speed and physical nature of hockey can lead to altercations and fights over name-calling or old grudges.

There's an unspoken rule in hockey that players, especially those who frequently fight, should pick opponents of the same size and remove gloves and helmets to avoid serious injury.

Sometimes, players will fight to boost team morale. For example, during a 2017 game, Brenden Dillon of the San Jose Sharks and Austin Watson of the Nashville Predators agreed to fight and were heard talking about summer plans in the penalty box afterward.

History of Ice Hockey Fights

The history of fights in hockey dates back to the first games. The first recorded fight took place in 1890, and by the time the NHL was founded in 1917, fights had become a common feature of hockey. Early fights were more brutal and less regulated than today.

In 1905, Alcide Laurin became the first player to die from an injury on the ice, demonstrating the dangers of unchecked athleticism.

As hockey evolved, fights became more organized, and in the 1990s players like Ty Domi and Bob Probert made fighting part of their game strategy.

These athletes became famous for their martial arts skills and added an exciting and physical element to the sport.

A modern perspective on the combat sport of ice hockey

Fighting has long been a part of hockey, but is now being called into question after links to brain injuries have been made.

Many of the great players of the past, such as Todd Yuen and Bob Probert, suffered serious health problems and even died at a young age due to their aggressive playing style.

Some have suggested that fighting should be banned from hockey, but it remains a big part of the sport. Modern players are more health conscious and fighting is becoming less common.

For example, in the 2018-19 NHL season, there were fewer than 200 games with brawls, compared to 384 games in the 2006-07 season.

Although fights are less common now, they are still a well-known part of hockey, as seen in Rodney Dangerfield's joke, “I went to watch a fight and ended up in a hockey game!”

Top 10 bloodiest hockey games of all time

Now, let's take a closer look at the top 10 bloodiest hockey games of all time, where intense rivalries and violent brawls left both the ice and the players bloodied.

1. Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers (1979)

The game is famous for a brawl that erupted after the final whistle, when Boston player Stan Jonathan was attacked by Rangers fans and had his hockey stick stolen, leading to Bruins players climbing into the stands and fighting with fans, resulting in chaos and bloodshed.

2. Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche: The Sequel (1997)

Known as “Bloody Wednesday”, the game saw the Red Wings attempting to avenge an earlier incident, when a massive brawl broke out, involving many players and leaving both the ice and the players bloody.

3. Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks (2007)

In this game, Boston's Zdeno Chara brutally beat Chicago's David Koc – the fight was short but intense, leaving Koc bloodied on the ice and proving the Bruins' reputation for toughness.

4. Nottingham Panthers vs Sheffield Steelers (2001)

Played in the now-defunct Ice Hockey Super League, the match featured a long, chaotic brawl involving multiple players. The brawl went on so long that it was difficult to keep track of all the action.

5. Rockford IceHogs vs. Milwaukee Admirals (2022)

In the American Hockey League, Matthew Olivier of the Admirals punched Curtis Gabriel of the IceHogs so hard that Gabriel's face was covered in blood. This modern-day brawl shows that violent brawls still occur outside the NHL.

6. Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche (1996)

During an NHL playoff game, Detroit's Kris Draper was seriously injured after being slammed into the boards by Colorado's Claude Lemieux, leaving the ice with blood running down his face, marking one of the more violent moments of the series.

7. Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (1978)

The game featured Boston's Stan Jonathan beating Montreal's Pierre Bouchard so badly that blood spilled onto the ice in a brutal match that was made even more dangerous by the fact that helmets were optional at the time.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Philadelphia Flyers (1996)

The game is remembered for an early brawl between Wendell Clark and Daniel Lacroix, which escalated as goalkeepers Ron Hextall and Felix Potvin also got into a fight, exciting the crowd with their violent duels.

9. Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues (2014)

Chicago's Brent Seabrook landed a heavy punch on St. Louis' David Backes, sparking a brawl that left Backes unconscious and bloody and led to Seabrook receiving a three-game suspension for his actions.

10. Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks (2014)

A brawl broke out shortly after the puck was dropped and quickly escalated into a full-on brawl involving both teams. The officials struggled to control the chaos, and multiple penalties were called before the game could properly begin.

The evolution and impact of fights in hockey

Hockey games have been a part of sports culture for over a century. From bitter rivalries to personal grudges, these bloody battles have left lasting impressions on players and fans.

Though the number of fights has decreased in recent years, stories of these violent clashes remain indelible parts of hockey history.

Whether it's to protect a teammate or boost team morale, fighting in hockey remains a significant and controversial activity.

As the sport evolves, so does the discussion about fighting's place in the game.