Rocky says fighting in the WHL has it's place

Should fighting be eliminated in major junior hockey?
It's the hot topic these days in hockey circles.
I spoke to WHL alumnus Rocky Thompson, who threw his fists around with success as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers and Swift Current Broncos, during the Oilers workout Saturday afternoon in Kelowna as they prepare for the Young Stars tournament in Penticton.
Now an assistant coach with the Oilers AHL affiliate, I asked Thompson if he believes fighting has no place at the WHL level.

"I disagree. People can have their opinions. If they want to take it out, that's fine, but I would like to see proof of their arguments that's all."

Can you explain why we have more concussions, even in junior, then when you played?

"There has always been concussions. It's just more sensitive now. We never called it concussions.

"You look at guys like Kelly Buchberger, he was a tough player. He played lots, he fought lots. In the Western Hockey League, I had 30 points as a defenceman, so people can call us what they want but we weren't just mercenaries. I think it's a testament to all of the tough guys that got into coaching....their is a reason for it. These guys had to learn the game and they became students of it and they love the game, it's not because they love fighting."

"Fighting is part of the game when emotions get going. I am not a person for having staged fights. I never did that. I liked playing hard and as a result of that it happened. That's what I like seeing. Two guys who play hard and sometimes that happens. But overall, fighting is down. We will go games in the American Hockey League without a fight and that's fine."