Wade Belak #3 of the Nashville Predators poses for his official headshot for the 2010-2011 NHL season September 17, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Photograph by: John Russell, NHLI via Getty Images
Former NHL tough guy Dale Purinton, who was both a friend and foe of Wade Belak, says it is time to take body-checking out of hockey.
Belak was found dead in Toronto this week at the age of 35. He was the third NHL enforcer to die in the past four months, raising questions about the long-term effects of hockey injuries.
"They have tried everything to reduce injuries and nothing has worked,'' said Purinton, who is now the associate coach with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the B.C. Hockey League.
"They have tried new helmets and equipment, suspensions and different boards but so far nothing has worked. The players today are so strong, quick and big," he said.
"I don't mind seeing the fighting element left in the game because then everyone is accountable. Not too many players have had their careers end due to a fight.''
Purinton had known Belak for years. "We battled each other in the Western Hockey League. He was a great team guy and he will be missed."
Purinton's stand against hitting is in sharp contrast to his 11-year professional hockey career. In four years with the New York Rangers, he amassed 578 penalty minutes in 181 games.
"I played hard all the time and I didn't shy away from anything," he said.
Purinton also played 25 games with the Victoria Salmon Kings in 2004-05. In that time he was suspended twice. He was released after the second incident.
He says his thinking has changed because he is behind the bench and has three small children.
"There are no players in our league like I was. Our league has put a stop to that style of play. In our league, you can only fight five times the entire year before you are suspended."
Belak was found dead in Toronto this week at the age of 35. He was the third NHL enforcer to die in the past four months, raising questions about the long-term effects of hockey injuries.
"They have tried everything to reduce injuries and nothing has worked,'' said Purinton, who is now the associate coach with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the B.C. Hockey League.
"They have tried new helmets and equipment, suspensions and different boards but so far nothing has worked. The players today are so strong, quick and big," he said.
"I don't mind seeing the fighting element left in the game because then everyone is accountable. Not too many players have had their careers end due to a fight.''
Purinton had known Belak for years. "We battled each other in the Western Hockey League. He was a great team guy and he will be missed."
Purinton's stand against hitting is in sharp contrast to his 11-year professional hockey career. In four years with the New York Rangers, he amassed 578 penalty minutes in 181 games.
"I played hard all the time and I didn't shy away from anything," he said.
Purinton also played 25 games with the Victoria Salmon Kings in 2004-05. In that time he was suspended twice. He was released after the second incident.
He says his thinking has changed because he is behind the bench and has three small children.
"There are no players in our league like I was. Our league has put a stop to that style of play. In our league, you can only fight five times the entire year before you are suspended."
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