Letter of the day in the March 31 Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/563/story/1091104.html


Michael Russo's March 25 column about the possible elimination of
fighting in the National Hockey League has some quotes from Derek
Boogaard that indicate Boogaard seems to think he's the main
attraction at the Xcel Energy Center. Boogaard says, "If you take
fighting out of hockey, it might be exciting for 10, 30 games, and
then the rinks will start emptying." All one has to do is look at
the popularity of the sport at levels where fighting is dealt with
in terms of suspensions, not just a five-minute penalty, to see that
this is not the case. Mariucci Arena is packed every game, and the
high school tournament is as popular as ever. And I have no doubt
that my fellow fans at Wild games would continue to enthusiastically
turn out and cheer their team even if Boogaard and his fighting were
to disappear.

It should be remembered that Boogaard has a vested interest in what
happens. His limited hockey skills means he will be out a job if
fighting is eliminated.


JAE HUDSON, MINNEAPOLIS