Boogaard Fighting Camp Forum
Posted on July 14th, 2007 – 10:16 AMBy Michael Russo
Although it was touch and go for awhile, photog Carlos Gonzalez and I are back in the U.S. We got stuck at the Saskatchewan-North Dakota border for an hour Friday for apparently having “common names,” but we finally made it through customs and back to Minot in time for our flight home.
The Derek and Aaron Boogaard Fighting Camp Story will appear in tomorrow’s paper. Lots of great stuff from the moms, dads and children, like Duke Predinchuk, the father of 12-year-old Tyson, who says it’s time for kids playing peewee hockey to start “toughening up” and 16-year-old Rheal Rouault, who drove 3 1/2 hours from a town of 600 people, to learn how to “really clean up” in a hockey fight.
Derek gave us up close and personal access to his off-season training. We attended his boxing training on Wednesday, where he and his brother, who will play next season in Pittsburgh’s system, exchanged blows with their mom shooting photos on the side.
Derek’s mom, sister and brothers told some incredibly funny stories.
Derek gave us access to his daily two-hour workout regimen, which was intense. I’ll have to change my vocabulary when I say, “I’m going for workout,” from now on. No I’m not. I’m going to sweat a little. Derek’s going for a workout. It definitely gave me an appreciation of how being a pro athlete is indeed a fulltime job. He works out with several athletes, including hockey players Mike Sillinger, Jamie Heward and Garth Murray.
He allowed us into his new ginormous (it’s now a word, look it up) condo.
The boxing training, workout regimen and family stories will appear in a big story on Boogaard during training camp (which starts two months from today, incidentally). His brother, Ryan, and mom, Joanne, will star in that article because they were brilliant interviews. Carlos will also put together a real audio, slideshow on the boxing, workout, condo and lunch gathering for the Web Site that will appear with the September story.
Tomorrow’s story is solely on the Fighting Camp, which has created a bit of a stir in Regina (Carlos is putting together a slideshow that will be on the Web Site in the near future).
Trevor Lakness, who runs Puckmasters and first had the idea for the Boogaard’s to run the camp, has received several complaints from parents about the Boogaard’s teaching children how to fight.
The Drew Remenda Show on CJME has also received calls from angry parents referring to it as a “Goon School.”
Boogaard, however, says he’s not trying to teach kids how to fight or “hurt people.” He feels fighting is inevitable in hockey and he’s trying to teach these children how to defend themselves and not to get hurt.
That was certainly the objective for most the parents of the 20 kids who paid $40 Canadian to attend camp Thursday. There’s Shelley Baker’s son, Travis, who has gotten suspended twice in spring hockey for fighting and who got into a number of scraps playing tournaments in the United States.
She wants Travis to learn the right way so he doesn’t “get hurt or hurt somebody else.”
There was Jens Johnson and Brennan Smidt, who undoubtedly got the message and was there to learn how to protect themselves. But then there was Rouault, who clearly wanted to learn how to be more dominant in fights.
After seeing it firsthand, there’s not doubt these kids were safe. They were wearing full face shields, one boxing glove and had the Boogaard’s looking on and intervening whenever the kids put themselves in vulnerable positions to be hit.
They were also put through a grueling workout prior to going on the plastic sheet of ice, one to simulate how tired you’ll be if you get into a hockey fight, but also to tire the kids up so they wouldn’t have as much force in their punches.
But still, this isn’t the most politically correct hockey school in the world. I can promise you my article won’t make the NHL Today, the league’s daily newsletter slanted toward positive NHL stories.
What do you think?
44 Responses to "Boogaard Fighting Camp Forum"
Its a complete hypocracy by the league to ignor eor conceal fight realted stories. The league was built on toughness and utilized paid enforcers to police the players. If the league doesn’t want fighting publicised then it should simply eliminate fighting all together.
But guess what, they know it helps draw fans in. they should be doing more to show that it is not just goodn hockey, as you described, the Boogaard’s aren’t teaching kids how to annialate an opponent, just how to fight safely so that they do not get hurt in an event that at some point in time they will be involved in.
The league needs to drop the attitude and face the facts, fans don’t run for the gates at the start of a fight, they stand and cheer it on. They don’t turn away at the start of a line brawl, they wish they could get in on the action. They don’t boo their teams heavyweight, they chant his name when they feel its time for him to hit the ice.
I grew up with Northstars of the 80s, Plett, Richter, McRae. There was no finer time than turning on KMSP and seeing the pregame warm up- had dissolved into a full ice brawl vs. the Balckhawks. Or the chants of SECORD from the Met Center faithful.
Fighting isn’t about goonery, its passion, passion that needs to return to the game before it becomes simply a speed skating event with goals. And don’t get me wrong, I am not a knuckle dragger cave men that only watches for the fights, I appreciate skill and talent, but I also apreciate the guys who skill sets include defending team mates and taking lumps for the team. They may not be the “star” of the team from a stats standpoint but I guarantee they finish in the top 3 of fan voting for the teams favorite player.
Bottom line, WAKE UP NHL. Eliminate the instigator, bring us back the tough nosed hockey that we love!
Tory Olson
http://www.wildenforcers.com
couldn’t have said it better my self Tory
i totally agree with tory
I agree with Tory as well
great story mike its always fun to hear about stuff like that…fighting is a part of the game and will always be.
Great story. I don’t see why this camp was a problem. People really need to take a pill and lighten up.
Russo - man, I gotta hear one of those stories from the Boogeymom or Ryan. Please figure out which ones you’re going to cut out and post it soon!
I don’t think there will be too much debate about Fight Camp unless Mike drops by and is feeling itchy.
Troy, it sortof bugs me that you’re leaving a signature with your website. Everybody’s got a site to sell. Buy your advertising like everyone else or leave your web address in the space provided. (BTW - I already visited your site so your first method of publicity, so that worked)
Correction. (BTW - I already visited your site so your first method of publicity worked)
One of the only things holding up ‘cleaning up’ hockey is the NHL itself. Drop the NHL’s instigator rule and you’ll clean up hockey virtually overnight.
I see no problem with 11-12 year old players learning how to protect themselves on skates. In case no one’s heard, ther are bullies on the ice like there are bullies on the playground. Why should the developing player just sit there and take it, anyhow? This camp is not about encouaging fighting. It’s about keeping balance in the sport.
One of the only things holding up ‘cleaning up’ hockey is the NHL itself. Drop the NHL’s instigator rule and you’ll clean up hockey virtually overnight.
I see no problem with 11-12 year old players learning how to protect themselves on skates. In case no one’s heard, there are bullies on the ice like there are bullies on the playground. Why should the developing player just sit there and take it, anyhow? This camp is not about encouaging fighting. It’s about maintaining balance in the sport.
Sorry for the double-post, folks. Balky computer. Been working too hard on the 2007-08 road trips!
It’s a ‘politically incorrect’ school but a legal and valid one. The Canadian leagues allow fighting at the minor level? I knew about Junior A, but below that?
All the more reason why this is a valuable learning experience for those kids. The more you know - even if it is about 5 minute majors - the better prepared you are when the situation arises.
It’s a specialty camp geared towards hockey’s ‘wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know what I mean’ dirty little secret. Fighting sells tickets…to dedicated fans AND neophytes alike.
Oh, and I have a t-shirt on the way…:)
Ballgame - I sell nothing on my site, so there is really nothing to sell. Not sure what the big deal is, frankly, the story is related to our biggest draw and our biggest supporter and when it comes down to marketing, I try to market my site so that more people can enjoy it and view the fight clips and interviews we have done.
I agree with Tory. The league is it’s own worst enemy. Let’s get back to “Old Time Hockey” and not in a Hanson Bros. way necessarily. Back in the day even the scorers could handle themselves in a fight. I’m sorry but players like Kim Jhonssen shouldn’t be playing if they are that vulnerable. That’s the crime, not the Boogaard Brothers trying to teach these kids the “right way” to fight. Rasslin’ has a right way to fall, baseball players learn the right way to slide, etc. Why shouldn’t hockey players learn the right way to fight. And toughen up those European players for cripe sakes!!! What’s up with that? If players like Gaborick are going to “have enough mouth for another row of teeth” out on the ice he should have something to back it up with and not just DB.
My personal opinion is that fights should just happen. Intimidation is a little different and is more of a tactic.
I admire someone coming to the defense of a teammate, or a friend when there is a cheapshot taken, and the victim is not able to help themselves.
For me, I do not have any problem with youth being taught how to defend themselves.
However, having had two concussions myself from hitting my head on the ice, I think there are more issues to punching someone out than people realize.
There is a slim margin between waking up in a hospital and leaving the next day, as opposed to people who may be unaware for a lot longer period of time and who do not always recover. I have known people who’s life has been pretty much a waste after a severe head injury.
A rap on the head can often lead to serious consequences. Anyone who does not believe that? Just remember Cam Stewart.
So, from that point of view, I appreciate the game when there is not a fight but no cheapshots either.
Anaheim Mighty Ducks number 1 in the league in fighting majors by far and they bully everyone to win the Stanley Cup. Not only do they win the cup they double their season ticket sales. Does the league like that?? Heck yes! How about in Minnesota and other markets where you are trying to market to families??
The way the league treated Boogaard during last season and into the playoffs was brutal. The Wild Duck series ended with a message from the league to the Wild… Get bigger ! and don’t think you guys can have one big guy play real physical and protect your other skill players ?? The league clearly did not think that Boogaard deserved a jersey….
Below are some examples of my rational
Here you have a team in the Ducks who have more fighting majors then any other team in the NHL, against a team in the Wild with the least, and you have a General Manager in Brian Burke whom has increased the season ticket base by double in Anaheim with his team’s aggressive/intimidating/fighting style of hockey against a team in the Wild who are the polar opposite small with clean playing players and one big physical player who will fight if someone asks in Boogie. I was curious about what the physical play penalties looked like after game 3 so I went to NHL.com to look at them and to my amazement they were even for both sides. I call physical play penalties charging, boarding and slashing etc. The NHL/referees let Brad May run around and charge players while Getzlaff and his friends were allowed to punch players in the head, throw multiple cross checks, sneaky obstruction maneuvers, all things according to the rules should be called penalties. Heck the Ducks even got Brent Burns to fight twice and he has never been in one fight in his NHL career. Boogie clearly was not given the same rights as the Ducks players were given to play physical which really really hurt the Wild because when Boogie was doing his thing the Wild were a better team when playing a team such as the Ducks. It was impossible for Lemaire the Wild coach to play him because of the dumb penalties they were calling on him… My point with all of this…. How dare the league and its officials take the one physical player that the Wild have out of the series when you are clearly not calling the physical play penalties, and you are letting the Ducks intimidate the Wild…. I This kind of thing happens too much with this league, and it affected the results in the Wild and Ducks games. The fans are not stupid, the series lacked focus and direction on how the games were called
What needs to happen?
The league needs to set rules and follow them without prejudice Quit Waffling! And follow the plan as all successful businesses do. NHL, What is the difference between Brad May and Boogaard ?? The first difference I see is Boogie is not a repeat offender of serious violent acts… Not even a single offense!
• If your going to let the physical stuff go, then let it go “Prepare the officials before the series” If you prepare the officials before the series you wont get what you got, unless you did prepare the officials and you simply wanted a California team to win the cup for the first time. The games looked that ludicrous so I have to wonder.
What was the treatment of Boogaard about during the regular season??
It all started during the regular season when teams complained to the NHL about Boogie going out and stretching out during the TV timeouts, they said he was trying to intimidate their team so the league asked Boogie to take a seat while the Fans of Minnesota watched other teams tough guys who are 2 inches smaller stretch their limbs at will during all of the TV timeouts. That is not right for two reasons, the first being it’s a textbook definition of discrimination, and the second being even if Boogaard was intimidating it is allowed in the NHL “ask Randy Carlyle ” I would like an explanation from someone who can explain how this foolish treatment of Boogie can go on in a big business like the NHL?? The only answer I have heard thus far is he is big so he stands out and gets treated differently- I say get a new answer because you have had two years to watch this guy. He is a clean player, and well disciplined and has never played the dirty type of hockey that the Ducks play
What needs to happen?
The NHL cant discriminate and make special rules. The league needs to get some leadership, and stick by the standards in which have been set.
Either Boogaard is allowed to where a jersey of he is not
really enjoyed the article. For those of you who have ordered a t-shirt, does it cost extra to mail a check to canada?
Just extra postage Chris. I am mailing a check this AM. I believe that Trevor has already adjusted the price to cover his bank charges.
ok thanks. I’ll have to try and get to the post office by tomorrow.
Great work Russo! Sounds like a blast.
One thing: in one of the photos in the slide show, the caption reads something to the effect of “Wild defenseman Derek Boogaard…” either DB switched positions or someone made a mistake.
well the way some of our d-men shoot or just don’t, he could be an upgrade
I agree with Tory.
IceMan
GET OVER IT!!
TW,
You REALLY need to get over it.
you stupid Ducks fan, Iceman wasn’t even talking about a specific situation. He was generally speaking. You are pathetic.
Standuck- I am over it. I have never been involved in a blog before. I think that the league is really messing up. They have really done some major injustices to the game. It is a game that I have profited from and its a game that someday my kids will play at a pee-wee or bantam level or above… I think enouph is enouph now of letting the league turn this game into AWA wrestling. I think the Wild and teh league insult the intelligence of the fans that watch the game.. Maybe they think that we are wrestling fans
The Boogaards’ camp is no different from teaching kids how to check properly which is common practice at about the peewee level. Or how to fall when skiing, for that matter. It’s the difference between getting hurt and not, frankly, and I’d prefer kids to know how to do what they will likely have to do at some point, without truly hurting themselves or anyone else. However, I’m saying this as a goalie mom…
I’m trying to find one of those T shirts to order. Does anyone know where I can find one. I have looked all over the net with no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
20 plus 5 for shipping
cheques payable to
Puckmasters Regina
25 usher street
regina sask
s4n 4j2
Also say what size you want
oh and I forgot attention Trevor Lakness
Great Read!!
I went to puckmasters website why is the address different online than the one you gave me Chris. I also called with no pickup
im not sure, i emailed him and thats the address he gave me
Combien il coûte, pour to développer drapeau South ton blog?
Ironically the AP story that followed all of this coverage contained a photo of a fight during a game I attended. It was a fight that happened about a period too late.
The LA King player had been throwing the ol weight around with some pretty heavy hits and a string of two min penalties.
Boog hit the ice couple of times only to have the CS King scamper to the bench. When the zambonis arrived the second time, I leaned to my wife and asked. Who and when will Boog take. I got the number 24 if I remember correctly 6 months later. Justice was served.
It is the cheap shot that is hurting hockey right now. It is not the agreed or known fight. The Ducks and others do play intimidation hockey, and that simply doesn’t need to be.
I wonder how many of their fights started with a cheapshot by the fighter or his teamate??
The instigator effectively balances the original penalty in many cases and leaves it unpunished. If eliminating the instigator would fix that oxymoronish situation then, yes it should be shelved.
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