General Managers back Chief Disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan for strict action-NHL Update
Brendan Shanahan was introduced as the new chief disciplinarian for the National Hockey League (NHL) at the start of the 2011-2012 regular season. With the implementation of stricter rules and a no-mercy policy, the NHL has been completely transformed.
Fans can tell that players are making smarter choices when it comes to playing physical and instead of going outright violent, caring for others and the fear of suspensions and hefty fines have come into play.
Shanahan took the time to brief the GMs on Monday, March 12, 2012, at Boca Raton Beach Club in Florida, during the opening day of the General Managers Meeting.
It was expected that team general managers throughout the league would lobby against Shanahan later on in the season when seeing their players being kicked out for multiple games, but in total opposite to that, the GMs have shown their support.
Shanahan, being a former player and now one that catches players at every corner for any wrong done, knows that it could be tough on the teams, especially with the playoffs right around the corner. But to his surprise, the heads are with him.
"I wanted to get out in front of them a month before the (Stanley Cup) Playoffs and ask them if their interpretation matched mine and if they were satisfied with that, and will they be going forward in the playoffs regardless of that 11:30 at night phone
call I get when maybe the perspective has changed in the middle of May?" Shanahan said. "They did agree. They thought this was the direction they wanted us to keep going."
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, Brian Burke, who was in the same spot as Shanahan nearly two decades ago, was also asked what he thought about the new disciplinarian. In his answer, Burke, fully supported him and reinforced the view that strict action
must be taking against repeat offenders.
Impressed by his actions, the general managers certainly seem impressed with the disciplinarian and his new policies, which they hope will only stay that way in the future as well in order to downsize concussions and injuries to a minimum.
Tags: