When it comes to dealing with head shots, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' is the policy of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell and others in the NHL's head office. But fans, media and now even a league sponsor seem to think that it is broke. And the sponsor, Air Canada, wants it fixed - or else.
In light of the severe injury to Max Pacioretty from a hit by Boston Bruin defenceman, Zdeno Chara, and seemingly a number of other hits, the airline company sent a letter to the league on March 10, 2011.
"From a corporate social responsibility standpoint, it is becoming increasingly difficult to associate our brand with sports events which could lead to serious and irresponsible accidents," said the letter from Denis Vandal, Air Canada's director of marketing and communications.
Bettman: NHL Could Find a New Carrier
Air Canada's letter was worded strongly enough to suggest the threat of walking away from the league is real. Among other things, Air Canada has the naming rights to the arena in Toronto and is involved in team flights.
But Bettman is having none of it. He told media Thursday that while the hit to Pacioretty was "horrific," it was simply a part of the game and not suspending Chara was the correct decision. Should Air Canada decide to cease being involved with the NHL, Bettman said, the league would find another carrier/sponsor.
"Air Canada is a great brand, as is the National Hockey League," said Bettman at an impromptu press conference in Washington D.C.. "If they decide that they need to do other things with their sponsorship dollars, that's their prerogative, just like it's the prerogative of our clubs who that fly Air Canada to make other arrangements if they don't think Air Canada is giving them the appropriate level of service."
Savard, Booth, Crosby, Pacioretty
Questionable hits on players in the past year or more have been plentiful. And while each creates an outcry, the NHL continues to refuse to enact specific rule changes to protect players heads. Callers on sports radio station the Team 1040 in Vancouver on Thursday suggested the league needs to make players responsible for injuring the head of an opponent whether intentional or not.
There have been more than 40 concussions in the league so far this season. Marc Savard is still out, the result of a hit last year - and another this year - from Matt Cooke, David Booth was badly hurt by Mike Richards, Sidney Crosby has missed almost 30 games after a hit from David Steckel, and the Chara hit on Pacioretty is going undisciplined. Each of those hits targeted the head, but none of them included suspensions.
Hit on Pacioretty Prompts Police Investigation
In the case of the hit on Pacioretty, the Montreal police said Thursday they had received a complaint and as a result are opening a criminal investigation into the hit. Meanwhile, in the wake of Air Canada's statements, other league sponsors Tim Hortons and Scotiabank issued statements Thursday. Neither were as condemning as those from Air Canada, and it was unclear if the statements were the result of calls from media or simply given of their own.
Pacioretty remains hospitalized with a severe concussion and a fractured fourth cervical vertebra but has been speaking and is alert. Geoff Molson, the chair and owner of the Montreal Canadiens, issued a statement to fans on Thursday regarding the hit and lack of action from the NHL head office. “I share your frustration, disappointment and shock,” his statement said.
"As a proud father of three hockey players, I want to help create a healthy and safe experience for them, and I certainly never want any family to go through what the Pacioretty's are experiencing at this moment."
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