* initially printed in Jan. 2018
Scott Stevens may be thought-about one of many final of a breed of NHLer that wreaked havoc on different gamers. Throughout a time when checks have been seemingly extra vicious than in at present’s recreation, Stevens threw his share of hits that rattled opposing gamers; some have been injured, some have been simply offended, however there was by no means a doubt that Stevens performed a tough, bodily recreation. However, was that onerous, bodily recreation thought-about “soiled” when it got here to his hit on Eric Lindros?
For 22 seasons Stevens performed that sort of recreation and helped the New Jersey Devils win three Stanley Cups. Some stated he was soiled however others revered Stevens and knew instinctively to not cross the middle line with their heads down. That was an invite to get checked exhausting, as Lindros came upon. It was a success that modified his profession, ended his time with the Philadelphia Flyers and sarcastically did some good for the game.
Presently working with the NHL Community, Stevens introduced consideration to the difficulty of concussions within the NHL. In reality, he needed to retire after he was identified with Put up-Concussion Syndrome.
Scott Stevens, the Starting
Stevens was a defenseman drafted by the Washington Capitals fifth general within the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. Having grown up in Kitchener, Ontario, Stevens was on the hockey highway from an early age. In 1982, he received the Memorial Cup enjoying for the Kitchener Rangers. A respect for Canadian heritage, the juniors and a ardour for the sport moved Stevens alongside to his subsequent pure step, the NHL.
Legends of Hockey has this written concerning the early stage of Stevens’ NHL profession:
Debuting that fall with the Capitals, the large, sturdy rearguard earned a daily spot with Washington, and so impressed that pundits that he was chosen to the NHL’s All-Rookie Staff. By eight seasons, together with a variety to the First All-Star Staff in 1987-88, Stevens helped flip across the floundering franchise. His fierce confidence on the blue line made him a favorite with each his teammates and the followers.
“Fierce confidence” is one method to describe a participant who instilled worry into the hearts of opposing gamers. However, one hit, particularly, ultimately outlined Stevens a lot to his dismay.
The Lindros Hit
Tom Gulitti, employees author at NHL.com wrote a chunk of their high 100 gamers collection about Stevens. There is no such thing as a query that the defenseman was one of many NHL’s all-time best and prolific hitters. However, it was this hit on Eric Lindros in Recreation 7 of the 2000 Jap Convention Ultimate that set Stevens aside as a participant to not be ignored on the ice.
Of the hit Gilitti wrote:
“Though Scott Stevens at all times took satisfaction within the bodily a part of his recreation, the Hockey Corridor of Famer has by no means been snug along with his devastating hit on Philadelphia Flyers heart Eric Lindros in Recreation 7 of the 2000 Jap Convention Ultimate being one in all defining moments of his 22-season NHL profession. Lindros was knocked out of the sport and sat out all the 2000-01 season after sustaining a concussion on the hit, which was authorized.”
Some may need discovered it troublesome to consider that Stevens was able to regret nevertheless it goes to indicate that he was not a “goon” or a grimy participant. Lindros, alternatively, appeared resigned about it. In a Nationwide Put up story on Jan. 16, 2018, by Michael Traikos, Lindros stated:
I’m not a referee. Nevertheless it occurred. So, whether or not he acquired a five-minute main or not, I’m out and possibly not obtainable for the ultimate. So what does that matter to me, whether or not he acquired penalized or not? It occurred.
The ESPN announcers stated that the hit was authorized however the query will linger so long as a puck slides throughout the frozen pond. Was it a grimy hit? Was Stevens a grimy participant? I used to be with some associates just lately who each stated, “No” however added that the excellence was shut.
Stevens Hits Led Concussion Consciousness
Traikos notes that the bigger challenge, as time has revealed, is that Lindros was enjoying after his sixth identified concussion and his fourth in 5 months. Beneath at present’s requirements, he probably wouldn’t have been allowed on the ice for that Recreation 7. Traikos, nonetheless, asserts that the Stevens hit was soiled: “Heck, it was soiled by any requirements. Besides the lunging shoulder that Stevens delivered to Lindros’ jaw wasn’t dominated that manner on the time.”
Tim Panaccio wrote in Could 2016, that on the time the hit was not deemed soiled or unlawful:
“Simply 7 minutes and 50 seconds into Recreation 7 of the Jap Convention Ultimate, Stevens, probably the most intimidating defenseman in New Jersey Devils historical past, caught Lindros in transition coming throughout heart ice within the Flyer offensive zone … along with his head down. In actual time, measured in opposition to at present’s requirements, Stevens’ hit on Lindros is nothing in comparison with what appears to happen nightly within the NHL at breakneck velocity. The distinction is, again then, the Stevens’ hit was deemed authorized. At the moment, it will draw a five-minute main, recreation misconduct and attainable suspension as a result of the principal level of contact from Stevens’ shoulder was the chin and brow of Lindros.”
So, occasions have modified and what was thought-about regular robust play a decade or so in the past would now be penalized.
Whether or not or not you hurl profanities on the display screen anytime you see the replay the hit on Lindros, otherwise you have a look at it and acknowledge that hockey is a tricky sport, the hit stands out as a defining second in Stevens’ profession. However, in an odd manner, it was all for good as a result of it compelled the NHL to look extra intently at concussions.
Panaccio identified, “Medically talking, this stays the largest affect Lindros had on hockey — he introduced much-needed focus to concussions.” If Lindros had such an affect, it may be argued that it was the Stevens hit that served as a launching pad for the highlight to shine on Lindros and his concussion historical past, and subsequently to additional that focus onto the league as a complete.
Was Stevens a Soiled Participant?
In Could 2009, Matt Cullen wrote a tribute piece about Stevens. In it, he wrote about former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender, Arturs Irbe’s ideas on Stevens:
Arturs Irbe prompt through the 2001 Playoffs that his hits have been soiled and that he was intentionally attempting to kill gamers or knock them out for the playoffs.
That’s fairly the accusation. After all, he had seen Hurricanes teammates Shane Willis and Ron Francis each get pummeled by Stevens through the Jap Convention Quarterfinals.
Cullen famous Stevens’ reply to those that criticized his play:
“What sort of respect do I get? Simply because I’m a bodily participant, it’s O.Ok. to come back at me and do what you need? Hey, it’s a hockey recreation. It’s not determine skating. You already know what? I can take a success and I can provide a success. I don’t care who it’s. Nobody will get a free experience on the market. I don’t get a free experience, and nobody will get a free experience from me.”
Moreover, Cullen agrees with Stevens’ viewpoint:
He performed exhausting and was very bodily, however performed the appropriate manner and definitely was not a grimy participant. Solely 4 elbowing minors in his total profession helps this.
Once more, it comes right down to perspective at some stage, however the play of Stevens was not soiled or supposed to kill or injure different gamers. He performed robust hockey when hockey was a a lot harder sport that it’s at present. And, due to his robust play, the NHL is attempting to take higher care of its gamers at present.
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Stevens and Lindros are each within the Corridor of Fame, deservedly. They share a thread in time that isn’t remembered fondly. Lindros was harm with one other concussion and his profession was inextricably altered. Stevens performed just a few extra years but additionally needed to grasp up his skates as a result of concussions. Lindros appears resolved to gloss the hit with an, “It’s what it’s” response. Stevens says don’t come throughout the road along with your head down.
Tom Canavan wrote in December 2000, that Stevens was not thrilled about having made the hit on Lindros:
From the second the subject turned to hitting and Eric Lindros’ title was talked about, it was apparent Scott Stevens was uncomfortable. His eyes appeared to glisten and it took a few seconds for the New Jersey Devils captain to determine on Sunday whether or not he needed to debate the crushing hit on Lindros.
Canavan additionally famous: “It’s very exhausting, it’s robust,” Stevens stated Sunday in recalling the play and figuring out how unhealthy he felt. “It’s one thing I don’t like to consider and I attempt to put it behind me and go on.”
For me, that is sums up how I view the hit. Stevens wasn’t gloating however really felt one thing for Lindros. Certain, Stevens justified that hit and others by saying gamers shouldn’t come at him with their heads down. However, I don’t suppose he had a thirst for hurting his opponents or presumably ending their careers. He performed a tricky recreation with a tricky fashion and different gamers knew that. In the event that they selected to come back at him with their heads down, then they did so – probably knowingly – at their very own danger.
For my part, no, Stevens was not a grimy participant nor was the hit on Lindros a grimy hit. As Hurricanes tv play-by-play voice John Forslund says, “That’s hockey child!”
Properly, that was once hockey.
