RayFinkle Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Gary B. Bettman, Commissioner,National Hockey League, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 47th Floor New York, NY 10020 February 24, 2007 Dear Gary, I am deeply concerned with the standard the NHL has adopted that seems to allow violent hits to the head. In light of the most recent injury to our captain Chris Drury, I am calling on you to address this issue immediately before another player is seriously injured or worse. In our recent game with the Ottawa Senators, an opposing player skated half the width of the ice surface, approached Chris Drury from his blind side, and delivered a blow to his head which dislodged his helmet, severely lacerating the area around his eye causing a concussion. Chris Drury did not have the puck, he was not able to see the player coming from behind, and had relaxed his guard. The player in question was aware his presence was undetected but chose to deliver a vicious blow, which can only be construed as intent to injure. Hitting is a very important part of our game. You hit to break up a shot, you hit to disrupt a pass, you hit to battle for the puck and you hit to gain position for a defensive or offensive play. There are many times a player is vulnerable. And there are many times when a player can make a hit on a vulnerable player but chooses not to for fear of injuring an opponent for no practical advantage. It's called respect. What we cannot allow are hits that are designed to injure and maim. The hit delivered to Chris Drury the other night was a hit to injure. In my view there is no other way to view that play. As you know, we have been on the other end of hits which cause injury to the head. Tim Connolly, our star offensive player was knocked out of the Stanley Cup by this same team. Although I didn't like it, Tim's situation is very different. He had the puck; he was making a play and could have reasonably seen the approaching player. I never complained. This situation is very different. Your office informed our team today that the hit on Chris Drury was a legal hit and that it fit within the standard of play acceptable to the NHL. We do not think this should be the standard and we do not think it helps our game or the league. There is nothing manly about hitting a player that can't see you. There is nothing entertaining about a big man hitting a smaller man in the head. There is nothing good to come of a policy that allows exciting skilled players to be targets for what I believe to be predatory play. I strongly urge you to convene the appropriate forum to immediately review this policy. Sincerely, B. Thomas Golisano, Governor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 "Governor"? Owners are called Govenor? No wonder he bought the team after spending as much cash on two unsuccessful bids to be the gubenor of NYS. Nice points in the letter though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 "Governor"? Owners are called Govenor? No wonder he bought the team after spending as much cash on two unsuccessful bids to be the gubenor of NYS. Nice points in the letter though. Better Governor than First Lady! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Eye for an eye. I would have like to see someone take out Spezza. Or just give Heatly a few drinks and some car keys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills_fan Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 about the blind side hit on Drury.... I love Golisano!! http://www.wgr550.com/sabres/fullstory.php?id=2195 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 about the blind side hit on Drury.... I love Golisano!! http://www.wgr550.com/sabres/fullstory.php?id=2195 My God...he sent that four days ago! Why is it only being posted now???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills_fan Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 My God...he sent that four days ago! Why is it only being posted now???? I miss something? If it was already posted & discussed, and I missed it, mods, please delete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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