Why Don’t North Americans Like The IIHF’s Rules? Because They Minimize The Violence

If you go online and watch the commentary surrounding the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, there is much debate about the IIHF’s rules. Much criticism might be more correct.

Why? People seem to think it is making the game too “soft.”

In other words, the IIHF’s rules are protecting players, and minimizing the potential for violence.

I’m simply theorizing here of course as I observe the discussion on comment boards, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

But it seems people don’t like seeing major penalties and game ejections for head contact. Nolan Foote’s ejection? Questionable call on the ice. Nils Hoglander’s ejection? Correct call on the ice. Regardless of the decision by the in game referees, the rules stand to protect players, and dissuade high hits. With what we now know about concussions, protection, even if it errs on the side of overcautious is a must.

But we still have people saying these rules make the game “soft.”

The IIHF back at it again with the soft hockey rules

— RAMBO D FRESH (@RAMBOFRESH420) January 4, 2020

Then there is the IIHF’s “controversial” late hit rule. Players may not bodycheck anyone who does not have the puck, this includes players who just completed a pass, dump in, or shot. In North America, players have roughly 1 second to complete a hit after a player no longer has possession of the puck.

Considering the purpose of a bodycheck is to separate a player from the puck, it only makes sense that players without the puck should not be checked. In one article published immediately following this rule change, people again went after what they deemed to be rules ruining the game, rather than seeing they are in place to preserve players and the game.

How about no fighting? No problem. Fighting is not a part of the game, it doesn’t make a team win. I know that’s a controversial statement, but it has no place in the game. If it did, every gold medal team would have a fighter. Instead, and logically, skilled teams win, because skill is what impacts the game.

What other rules does the IIHF have, versus say, the NHL that protect player safety?

Incidental contact on a wind up or follow through resulting in a high sticking incident is not a penalty in the NHL, but is in the IIHF. Why? It’s good for player safety.

Helmets are not required in NHL warm ups. Helmets are required in IIHF warm ups. Why? It’s good for player safety.

Players are not permitted to stand in the goaltenders crease in the IIHF. No such rule in North American hockey.

Why do people think these rules are “ruining” the game? It’s hypocritical considering how many people watch the World Juniors, World Championships, and Olympics.

Player safety is preserving the game’s skilled players. Minimizing the violence of sports including fighting, hits to the head, high sticking, and late hits, is simply removing antiquated aspects tied to the game of hockey, which are not involved in scoring, or preventing goals, which are the only two things that make hockey, hockey.

For some reason, North American hockey fans have a barbaric thirst for fighting, injury inducing hits, and blood. Players losing teeth, or getting stitches, and their ability to “tough out” these incidents is what makes a hockey player a hockey player, right? Bodily harm is seen as a right of passage. And anyone who can’t conform to this, who can’t endure violence, or play through injuries, which may cause long term health concerns, isn’t a true hockey player. But it isn’t so, all this is…here it comes (we welcome your comments and criticism, because we know how much the t-word upsets some hockey fans) is toxic masculinity.

This game is faster. The players are physically stronger. As the human body and capabilities on the ice have evolved, and as our understanding of human psychology, and of our social responsibility for one another has evolved, so should the rules.

This beautiful game is played across the globe, and it’s time North American leagues follow in the footsteps of IIHF governed nations and tournaments, and implement rules that erase unwarranted risk and harm to players, including fighting, head contact, and late hits.

We can do better.