JMS Hockey

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/criminal-charges-for-beer-league-hockey-hits-could--chill--participation-141416539.html

If the injury was intentional then he got what he deserved by being suspended and fined. But in this sue happy world we live in some people just don't realize the risk we assume in the participation of contact sports like hockey. I have been tripped, I fell, got back up and it was all part of the game. Nobody got hurt or mad at each other. On another note. I used to race ATV's competitively. I have banged bars, got wheel rubbed, even crashed badly. This is a risk you assume when you compete, PERIOD. You sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of the activity. I have since retired from racing to move on.

There's a fine line between rough play where injury may occur and complete disregard to safety.

Tim - did you even read the article? "Keep in mind this is a no-contact league." So in a no-contact league - this happened: "Witnesses for the prosecution said Casterton was coming out from behind the net as MacIsaac was rushing in. Witnesses on the victim’s team said that with 47 seconds left in the game, MacIsaac’s feet left the ice and he hit Casterton’s head, snapping it back. Casterton lost consciousness and fell to the ice. Jonathan Desjardins, a referee at the game, testified that both Casterton and MacIsaac were rushing toward the puck behind the net when the collision happened. “What I saw, clearly saw, is (MacIsaac) jumped off the ice, “Desjardins testified. “His skates left the ice, arms in the high position, making contact with the victim.” Desjardins testified that three players from Casterton’s team skated over to where the referee was helping the victim. The players told the referee that MacIsaac skated in front of the other team’s bench and said he got Casterton back for an earlier hit. However, McCann argued that MacIsaac didn’t say anything about payback for an earlier hit to any of Casterton’s teammate." Which resulted in this: "The hit left Casterton with broken teeth, a concussion and scarring on his face. He has a $600,000 lawsuit filed against MacIsaac and the Ottawa Senior Men’s Hockey League for the aftereffects of the hit, included lost wages." This is EXACTLY why I quit playing competitive leagues for various sports. Garbage like this. Last minute of a game and the guy leaves his skates and obliterates a guy who most likely had his head down. He should be sued and should be kicked out of the league and blacklisted, never to play again. Even in a checking league this would be unacceptable. To boot, the guy now needs dental work, lost time on his job and probably will suffer the effects of the concussion for many years to come. Again, everybody takes risks when they strap on their skates - but this is a goon looking to injury someone, nothing else. This is someone who has issues off the ice and decided to end someone's RECREATIONAL hockey career because he can't handle his off ice issues properly. This is the type of stuff that makes my blood boil. There's no room for this in the game - EVER.

Amen to that.