People who talk about fighting and hockey usually (as evidenced by the comments here) don't understand the role it has it hockey. This not meant as a slam, but fighting is necessary - especially at the pro-level. Here is why.... hockey is an extremely dangerous sport - the ability to kill or break someone's neck or just ruin their pro career with a cheap shot is overwhelming and easy. One of the few self-enforcing mechanisms is the understanding amongst 99% or hockey players, that there are lines you just don't cross or someone is beat the crap out of you. A two minute penalty or ejection does not carry the same weight as knowing that you cheap shotted an opposing player and now you are gonna get yours. Also, the amount of fighting in the NHL is extremely over published. You can go to a alot of games and not see a real fight. Yes, there is face washing and grabbing but not really fighting. It has declined substantially in the last 20 years as more millionaires play the game.

Ask any real hockey players and the will tell you that college and Olympic hockey is vastly more chippy and cheap than NHL hockey because there is no fighting. And the idea of being boarded, slashed or slew footed is more of a concern when you know someone is going to make you pay for doing that....

The NHL game is cleaner as a result of the implicit threat of fighting. I am telling you. I played for 20 years and it would be a mistake to outlaw it which is why the NHL allows it. NOT because it brings fans - that is a false observation by people that don't know the game. Just saying. Fighting keeps the game cleaner at the pro-level where pro-contracts are paid whether you sitting in the penalty box or not. Getting ejected means something at college and Olympic level -not so much at pro. But getting your face pushed in might make you think a second time before running a goalie or boarding another player.

I've probably been to nearly 300 NHL games.

Fighting serves two purposes. Number 1 and most important... It provides instant accountability for your actions. Marty McSorely was Wayne Gretzky's personal enforcer. When Wayne was traded to LA, McSorley was included. If you made a run on Gretzky... you got your clock cleaned. It kept people off Gretzky.

Without the enforcers, you end up with guys like Bryan Marchment who grabbed Newy's leg and ran him into the boards ending Newy's season, and thus ending the season for the Stars.

This is the consequence.

Hockey is dangerous enough...

Roenick slew foot Modano off his skates when he wasn't expecting it, and then boarded him. Roenick decided to talk trash and said the Stars were all talk and that they should settle it on the ice. Hatcher did.

Fights often put teams at a disadvantage because they get instigation penalties on top of the Fighting Major. If they take off the gloves and the other player doesn't, then they get a penalty.

There is a second purpose, however it isn't as much a part of the game. In some instances, if the game is dragging along with no energy, a big hit will spark energy in the building... players and fans, and turn the game.

Shane Churla was more of the Goon-type, than the Enforcer... but the game has too much money invested in players and the influence of European skaters has made fighting less a part of the sport. The speed of the game and the scoring has grown the sport more today than the fighting did in years past.

Gone are the days of brawls.