Ben Fanelli of the Kitchener Rangers

[Jasonf6]

http://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=297187

We talk all the time about legal hits that could be questionable and probably should never have happened.  I didn't see the hit but from all the talk and the player's condition, maybe it could have been avoided.

Thoughts?

[Metalhawk]

Bullshit suspension. Fanelli turned at the last second, knowing full well the hit was coming. There wasn't much that could be done to pull back from delivering the hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lflguc3ZJcM

[FV]

The check wasn't dirty.  Just a unfortunate accident.

I still say though that in general I feel the head should be off limits from any body contact.  I don't care if it's the shoulder or not.  

[Jasonf6]

Ok, that was an absolutely brutal but clean hit.  Yes the guy could have let up because he did wind this check up from basically the top of the circle but to get suspended a full season and playoffs if any was a tad too harsh.

[momr]

Wow - ugly hit - but one that we see every day.  On one hand its tough to handle the length of that suspension, given the player in question is an over-ager and this will be the end of his OHL career. Likewise it will be argued that the player injured may be facing a life without hockey as well.   That being said, I have to commend the OHL for protecting all their players and not just their stars, like the NHL.

I'm listening to Branch on OTR right now dealing with the question of the suspension and he contends that the hit was not legal - it was charging, given the speed of the skater and the distance travelled before delivering the hit. 

 

[Broken Bones]

I watched the hit this morning (before any announcement was made regarding suspensions).  My father in law had told me about the injury so i decided to look it up on youtube.  I was expecting a vicious dirty hit, but when I saw the hit my first impression was that it is no different than many hits we see in hockey every day, with this one unfortunately resulting in serious injuries.

I am not a fan of laying blame on the victim (he turned at the last second, etc.).  This just seems like a stack of unfortunate circumstances all coming together at once.  The suspension seems harsh, but then again, the young player who is injured may never play hockey professionally again.

I have to wonder if junior hockey will review the standards of having 16 year old and 20 year olds playing in the same league.

[SzuperChicky]

Ask Branch why Kassian was given a slap on the wrist for his nasty slewfoot in Ottawa just recently.  Double standards and no injury.  This is typical Dave Branch.  

Liambas is labelled as a "tough guy"... now I guess a goon.  It was Dave Branch's way of throwing the book at him.  If this were Taylor Hall who threw the hit, would we be even talking about this?  We all know this is false.  And unfortunately, its similar to what happens in the NHL all the time.

You should have heard Dave Branch's interview on Fan590, I believe you can find it on Youtube.  He already came out to say that...
1) It wasn't an illegal hit
2) They know of Liambas' past, but his track record played no part in the suspension
3) It was a matter of speed and position
4) It was not a headshot
5) Implied that Fanelli's helmet was not on properly (this is a HUGE issue in the NHL too)
6) Mentioned that Fanelli turned his back as he was passing the puck, the impact was on his back
7) It is not believe that there was any intent to injure at all
It was a hockey play that happens all the time, he was finishing his check

So... what is he saying?  He is admitting that he's basing the suspension on the injury.  So any clean hit that results in an injury is going to result in a suspension?  What about the dirty hits that fortunately don't end in a serious injury - but easily could have.

No one is saying that Fanelli is in the wrong, he's paying for his decision to turn his back (likely not realizing the consequences)... but this clearly isn't fully blame on Liambas - and even Branch has admitted this.


Anyway, when it is all clear and done, hopefully Fanelli is able to recover from this unfortunate accident.

[PuckFancy]

Can't say I disagree with all of you who are saying the suspension is exagerated. I'm not even sure I'd call it dirty. It was an unfortunate accident and what is really important is the condition of Fanelli who is still in a intensive care 5 days after the hit.

Hope he recovers without too much damage.

[PuckFancy]

This quote from a CBC article says a lot about Liambas as a person:

Bassin informed Liambas by mobile phone when the ruling came down. Liambas, who along with Bassin met with Branch on Tuesday in the league offices for a hearing, was driving from Toronto to Erie.

"Michael took it very hard," Bassin said. "What people have to understand is this is not a goofball kid. He had a 95 per cent average when he went to St. Mike's [high school in Toronto]. He visited kids at Shriners Hospital [for Kids in Erie]. He also set up a stay-in-school program for children. I wouldn't be surprised if he is a doctor one day.

"This wasn't the last image he wanted to leave in people's minds. He is genuinely sorry. Even in the hearing, he said he didn't know if he could deliver bodychecks anymore."

Hope he appeals Branch's decision.

[SzuperChicky]

Sherry Bassin is a class act all around.  I've had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times and he was always an easy person to talk to and pick his brain.  Anyway, it is clear from Bassin's interview on the Fan590 that he does not like the suspension, however, he was very careful with his words and was accepting of the suspension.  I'm not sure what the process is on appealing to suspensions in the OHL... not sure it will make much a difference.

Liambas has already gone to seen Fanelli - I believe more than once (can't quote that though).  It sounds pretty clear that he is very remorseful.  Bassin also mentioned in the interview that Liambas was expecting the worst when it comes to the suspension.

On another note, he could be playing in the AHL or ECHL by tomorrow as long as those leagues agree to not honor the OHL's suspension. 

[rose]

Not surprised at all about Branch's decision.  Also not saying I agree with it....just saying I am not surprised.

In recent years, CHL teams have faced more and more competition for players going on university scholarships, etc. and, for quite a while, junior hockey had a  bad reputation as being "too rough", uncontrolled, etc.  I believe that part of the reason Branch takes such a hardline with these types of hits (which result in injuries....since I do believe that the severity of this suspension is directly related to the severity of the injuries sustained by Fanelli) is to assure the parents of the entry level players that their sons will be "as safe as possible" in the OHL while working towards their "dream" of continuing on with their hockey careers.  Players not being able to remove their helmets during fights, linesmen breaking fights up when helmets fall off, neck guards, strict rules about head shots, etc. have all come into play in recent years.

I am sure the young overager who hit this kid feels awful.  Heck!  Both teams had prayer circles on the ice surface as Fanelli was being attended to on the ice (I have NEVER heard of that happening before which makes me wonder if there was some seizure activity going on  which often happens after a skull is fractured) along with many people in the stands leaving the building after the hit.  I have seen the hit several times and share the views of many previous posters as to how it looked.  However, I believe the aftermath while Fanelli was lying on the ice has also come into play.  I also heard the the refs asked both coaches if they thought their teams could continue playing, players from both sides were so visibly upset at the time.  They did finish the game.

And Sherry Bassin IS a great guy!  He's been around a long time and if anyone can help Liambas continue playing - should he want to in the future -  Sherry is the guy to do it.  I don't know that the AHL and/or ECHL will take him on and ignore the suspension but, in any case, Sherry will go to the wall for this kid, IMHO.

[stone169]

Ask Branch why Kassian was given a slap on the wrist for his nasty slewfoot in Ottawa just recently.  Double standards and no injury.  This is typical Dave Branch.  

I was at that game, and in all honesty, I don't think there was a slew foot.  I saw the play and all Kassian did was reach out and grab the 67s player and haul him down.  Was it a penalty...Yes.  Was it a slew foot...No.

Anyways this is a bad suspension.  I haven't seen the hit, but everyone who has commented on it has said the samething...It was a hockey play.  It is my understanding that this hit happened in "No Man's Land".  That area where a player is coming around behind the net.  If that's the case, then that is a dangerous place for the player to be and they are vulnerable and it should be more of a matter of teaching these kids respect for their opponents when they're in a vulnerable position instead of suspending a kid for an entire season for a clean hit.

[FBK]

The check wasn't dirty.  Just a unfortunate accident.

[stone169]

Just watched the hit for the first time.  Yep, it happened in "No Man's Land".  Fanelli also turned his back to make a play and what he should've done was a back hand pass.  If he makes the back hand pass then he's not lying in the hospital right now.

I've also showed my youngest son the hit since he's starting Peewee next year and may be allowed to play contact.  I explained to him that when he sees someone coming around the net like that, not to go in for the kill with a hard hit.  I explained to him that he can still finish his check with a bump, but he doesn't need the big the hit in that situation. 

No player needs to go in for the big hit in that situation.

[Metalhawk]

Isn't your kid a defenseman? If so, you should also teach him that when coming around your net, keep your head up and if you're going to get hit, take the hit, don't turn trying to avoid it. That's the only reason Fanelli is in the hospital right now, because he got scared.

[stone169]

Isn't your kid a defenseman? If so, you should also teach him that when coming around your net, keep your head up and if you're going to get hit, take the hit, don't turn trying to avoid it. That's the only reason Fanelli is in the hospital right now, because he got scared.

I explained it to him that if Fanelli would've went with a backhand pass instead of turning to pass it with his forehand then Fanelli isn't in the hospital.  Hell if he would've shot the puck up along the boards he wouldn't have been in the hospital.  Two simple plays and we're not on here discussing it, but at the same time as a hockey parent I feel that I have a responsibility to make sure that my kid understands not to take advantage of that type of situation either.

Besides, I've always told my kids never turn your back to a hit that's coming.  The other player may get a penalty or even suspended, but you may never play hockey again

[Jasonf6]

Fanelli saw it coming at the very last second and knew he couldn't do anything about it.  It was not a dirty hit BUT Liambas could and probably should have let up a little.

I'm no psychic (sp?) but I can bet that once Fanelli comes to and sees the hit he will probably forgive Liambas and maybe even ask Branch to reinstate him. 

[Sugar J.Hyde]

Clean hit?  No.  However, both players are to blame there.  This was just an unfortunate situation but this Bassin kid doesn't deserve this suspension.  

From what I've heard is that Bassin is stand up fellow.  So, I can't really say something like he wanted to hurt Fanelli.  That wouldn't be fair.  This is just very very unfortunate.

What we need to realize though is that there is a kid in the hospital who is still in serious condition.  That is the more important issue.  We can debate whether or not this was a clean hit or not for ever but that doesn't change the fact that this kid was badly hurt.

[Sugar J.Hyde]

Liambis, sorry.  Insert Liambis wherever I said Bassin.

[Dagwood]

The only thing I could question on this hit was the Distance and Speed of Bassin who initiated the hit. The Kid should of/could of slowed down or taken a bit off the hit, I don't believe he targeted the head...it was just the way things evolved with Fanlli turning backwards, leaning a tad forward with momentum that exposed his head in the manner of the hit.

A Lifetime Ban from the OHL is too severe IMO.  A couple of games max for charging would have been enough.