roboturner 562 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 You're missing the point. Being an enforcer increases your chances of damaging your brain. And this type of brain damage has been conclusively linked to substance abuse issues. Being punched doesn't make you drink too much. Being punched a lot damages your brain, which causes headaches, anxiety, depression, poor impulse control, etc. And lots of people drink more when you have those kinds of issues (i.e. self medicate). This isn't some crap shoot where people are trying to villify hockey fights. Real doctors and researchers, who really study diseases, have conclusively proven a link between getting your head banged around, and a whole host of physical and mental health issues. It's real. No I got that. When I said enforcer I thought it would be clear that these are the guys who are getting punched and getting brain damage... I'm just saying they might have been the type of guys who would've abused drugs regardless of their brain damage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,518 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) No I got that. When I said enforcer I thought it would be clear that these are the guys who are getting punched and getting brain damage... I'm just saying they might have been the type of guys who would've abused drugs regardless of their brain damage. At least anecdotally that doesn't seem to be true. What seems to make players turn to "enforcing" is not some love of violence or inherent acceptance of "wildness", but rather, a love for hockey paired with a lack of hockey skills. Guys who really want to play, and can't cut it any other way, turn to fighting. Here's a couple good articles on that subject: http://deadspin.com/what-happens-to-enforcers-when-hockey-uses-them-up-1690358212 http://www.theplayerstribune.com/why-we-fight/ Also, here's a good article about Paul Bissonnette, where he actually speculates that enforcers are MORE well adjusted than other players. Off the top of my head I can think of a number of enforcers who seem to be well adjusted. Kocur, Grimson, Parros, and Brashear. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/paul-bissonnette-and-the-long-term-health-of-the-enforcer--puck-daddy-interview-002221506.html Edited September 22, 2015 by kipwinger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 I'd argue that hockey players - and all people - who DON'T drink too much are the ones with brain damage. 2 kipwinger and F.Michael reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
