Perezhogin Petition
May 8, 2004 3:10:41 GMT -5
Post by spotter on May 8, 2004 3:10:41 GMT -5
For those who may be interested in signing a petition being sent to the AHL regarding the Perezhogin/Stafford incident Click Here
To: American Hockey League
We, the undersigned, as fans not only of the American Hockey League, the National Hockey League, and the game of hockey itself, are outraged at the disparity in punishments for Garrett Stafford of the Cleveland Barons and Alexander Perezhogin of the Hamilton Bulldogs.
It is our feeling that unnecessary violence has no place in the game of hockey. However, when you consider that these two players committed ESSENTIALLY THE SAME ACTION, that being the swinging of a hockey stick at the others head, their suspensions should not be as disparate as they are.
Some may argue that the result, and potential result, of Perezhogin's actions were worse. Some may also argue that Stafford's actions were intentional and Perezhogin's were reactionary. These arguments cloud the true issue here. That issue is that both players swung sticks at each other's heads.
If Perezhogin is suspended for an entire season (80+ games) Stafford's penalty should be similar. If it is not made similar, the leagues and management involved in the decision will be making it clear that it is the results of an action, and not the action itself or the intent behind it, that will ultimately decide a decision. By this train of thought, should we teach our children that it is acceptable to hit other players in the head with sticks because the likelihood of serious injury is very low, and the league will primarily judge upon the result?
We urge you to either lessen Perezhogin's penalty significantly or to increase Stafford's penalty to a degree similar to Perezhogin's.
A league that does not pursue justice consistently, fairly, and judiciously does not deserve our time, our attendance, or our dollars.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
To: American Hockey League
We, the undersigned, as fans not only of the American Hockey League, the National Hockey League, and the game of hockey itself, are outraged at the disparity in punishments for Garrett Stafford of the Cleveland Barons and Alexander Perezhogin of the Hamilton Bulldogs.
It is our feeling that unnecessary violence has no place in the game of hockey. However, when you consider that these two players committed ESSENTIALLY THE SAME ACTION, that being the swinging of a hockey stick at the others head, their suspensions should not be as disparate as they are.
Some may argue that the result, and potential result, of Perezhogin's actions were worse. Some may also argue that Stafford's actions were intentional and Perezhogin's were reactionary. These arguments cloud the true issue here. That issue is that both players swung sticks at each other's heads.
If Perezhogin is suspended for an entire season (80+ games) Stafford's penalty should be similar. If it is not made similar, the leagues and management involved in the decision will be making it clear that it is the results of an action, and not the action itself or the intent behind it, that will ultimately decide a decision. By this train of thought, should we teach our children that it is acceptable to hit other players in the head with sticks because the likelihood of serious injury is very low, and the league will primarily judge upon the result?
We urge you to either lessen Perezhogin's penalty significantly or to increase Stafford's penalty to a degree similar to Perezhogin's.
A league that does not pursue justice consistently, fairly, and judiciously does not deserve our time, our attendance, or our dollars.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
