I would like to express my great disappointment following the match on March 8, 2024, between Les Montréalaises and the Toronto team.
But before continuing, some context is necessary. I have been a hockey fan since my childhood. However, I had stopped watching NHL games several years ago because the sport had become far too violent. When I heard about the creation of a professional women’s hockey league (LPHF), I was happy, and above all, so impatient to see the games. From the start of the season, it was a real delight. I’ve seen all of Montreal’s games and am so proud of our team: brilliant and gifted athletes, inspired games, truly beautiful hockey!
However, when I watched the match on March 8, I was disillusioned. I saw these violent checks, these vicious stick blows, these shoves. Since then, I have been worried and saddened. The bellicose attitude of a team, Toronto in this case, should not be tolerated and valued as if it were a simple brand image. The slope is very slippery. There will be an increase in violence that is unnecessary and dangerous for the safety of the players. Furthermore, if this violence persists, the LPHF will certainly lose me as a fan and avid ambassador of this team and this league. It’s really a shame.
We should put an end to the expression “physical game”, a hypocritical euphemism to justify violence in hockey. Aren’t all sports physical? It seems to me that it is possible to play hockey without hitting yourself in the neck or back with a stick? Where is the sportsmanship in all this? Finally, we can ask ourselves what message this type of behavior sends to young girls who currently play hockey and dream of becoming professional hockey players?
To watch on video