NHL Legends Completely Shut Down TSN Reporter Over Hockey Disrespect

The sport of hockey has a unique ability to ignite passion and fervor among its fans, whether it’s NHL or any other league. Indeed, I’m referring to the myriad emotions that accompany a puck, several sticks, and the expanse of an ice rink. When a large crowd unites and creates entertainment, it transforms into a culture that deeply resonates with the fans. However, when individuals attempt to criticize it without offering constructive feedback, it tends to provoke anger among many.

A month ago, TSN correspondent Rick Westhead revealed his new book titled “WE BREED LIONS: Confronting Canada’s Troubled Hockey Culture.” What are his thoughts on it? “Hockey in Canada is at a crossroads. Over the past three years, I have interviewed current and former junior hockey players, as well as parents, player agents, hockey coaches and executives, team owners, legal experts and sociologists about hockey culture in Canada. Their stories are shocking and offer insights into so much about our national game that is broken,” Westhead stated in his LinkedIn post.

The TSN reporter expresses significant concern regarding the nation’s national sport after engaging in discussions with several key figures within the industry. Westhead, drawing from the wealth of stories he gathered, chose to tackle those concerns within them, all the while maintaining an optimistic outlook for the future. However, it wasn’t long before he found himself facing criticism from NHL legends Jim Kyte and Kevin Lowe.

Kyte and Lowe are prominent figures in the discourse surrounding hockey in Canada. What about Kyte’s statement? “Hopefully the book is balanced and not just a sensational view of what might be wrong with the perceived culture. In my short experience as a guest columnist I learned quickly that newspapers/media aren’t in the business of selling the news/stories, they are in the business of selling newspapers/clicks/views. Sensationalism and sadly, focusing on the negative, sells. The game/culture can certainly improve but it also has many, many positives so I hope these aspects get an equal word count. I look forward to finding out,” stated the former NHL player.

After Kyte’s retirement, he has remained involved in various facets of the hockey world. However, he feels quite let down by the recent narratives circulating in the sport, so he is looking forward to a more uplifting perspective from Westhead’s book. In response to Kyte, Lowe remarked, “Jim Kyte, Well said. Thanks for highlighting Rick Westhead’s unfair portrayal of hockey and his mischaracterization of ‘hockey culture.’ Like many who take issue with the sport, I can’t help but wonder if he was cut from a team or didn’t get enough ice time when he played. Given his track record of sensationalism in recent years, I see no chance that his book will offer a balanced perspective. As you astutely pointed out, good news doesn’t drive clicks or viewership.”

The ex-hockey coach and player expressed dissatisfaction with how Westhead referred to hockey culture in his remarks. Additionally, Lowe is aware of the TSN reporter’s prior work in the field. With this conviction, he is confident that his book will not stray from the expected path. However, this was not the entirety of the situation. Lowe recommended that individuals who were endorsing “Westhead’s one-sided narrative” check into the Western Hockey League’s Respect Education initiatives. What does it contain?

Indeed, those initiatives have played a significant role in supporting numerous athletes and their families. In conclusion, he asserted, “There’s a much bigger story here—one Westhead chooses to ignore. If you want half a story, enjoy the read! To quote the ever-popular Don Cherry, ‘For all you bleeding hearts,’ I hope I’m wrong!” However, Westhead consistently plunges into the depths of investigation. Recently, he highlighted a shocking incident from Canada’s junior hockey league, the QJHL.

Safety concerns going beyond the NHL

Hockey is a sport filled with passion, and at times, NHL players resort to dropping their gloves and engaging in physical confrontations. However, situations can occasionally spiral out of control, and this is not uncommon even in junior hockey leagues. “Minor hockey coaches in Deux-Montagnes, Quebec, say during a game in November, a 16-year-old player from Saint-Jérôme used his skate to kick a Deux-Montagnes player in the head multiple times,” Rick Westhead reported on X.

Striking someone with a skate? That certainly poses a significant risk. Recall the incident when Chris Simon of the New York Islanders deliberately stomped on Jarkko Ruutu’s leg with his skate, resulting in a 30-game suspension? The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated, as these objects have the potential to penetrate surfaces, including human skin, leading to serious injuries that can, in some cases, be fatal. Westhead continued to report, noting, “After the Saint-Jérôme player was suspended for eight games, the Deux-Montagnes coaches paid $200 to submit a complaint to Hockey Quebec asking the player be banned. Their appeal was denied.”

The ban, while justifiable for the unnamed player due to their status as a minor, has left many questioning the rationale behind the officials’ decision. And how did this case escalate? “Radio-Canada’s Martin Leclerc reports that on Thursday, after returning from his suspension, the Saint-Jérôme player allegedly attacked an opposing player from Blainville with his stick. Both teams were walking back to their change rooms and the Blainville player had taken off his helmet when he was hit in the head with a hockey stick,” stated the TSN correspondent.

A repeated offense is unequivocally unacceptable, prompting the coaches from Deux-Montagnes to demand accountability from Hockey Quebec and the Saint-Jérôme organization. Now, only time will tell how this case evolves.

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