I’ve never been involved in a hazing, but I know it is wrong. I also never played in the National Hockey League, but I know that intentionally trying to injure an opponent is also wrong.

Unwritten rules have always earned my suspicion, partly because nobody wrote them down and partly because everybody can interpret these phantom rules as they wish, because, well they are unwritten. Those of us outside this secret hockey fraternity are told not to even try and understand this old time code that has been defended for decades.

The premise of the code is linked inextricably to fighting and the need of each team to employ an enforcer. The typical enforcer is a player generally short on skill, but long on toughness and size, that will defend his team’s superstars. Mess with Sydney Crosby and answer to 6-foot-4, 214-pound, Eric Goddard. Get too physical with the Sedin twins and you will feel the wrath of Raffi Torres.

In football, Aaron Rodgers can get blindsided or spun into the frozen turf at Lambeau, and those five offensive lineman whose main job is to protect him, will only offer to help him up after it is over. As many times as Chad Clifton may have wanted to trade punches with Jared Allen, never have I seen the two peel off their helmets and go at it. However, in the NHL, and defying all logic, the junior hockey leagues, enforcers jot down numbers and settle scores later in the game.

You won’t convince me that enforcers have any legitimate role in hockey for two reasons. The physical training, skill and athletic ability of today’s players will not allow any weak links unable to defend themselves to even make it into the league. And, most importantly, enforcers and fighting virtually disappear come playoff time.

Since its heyday in the 80’s and 90’s, fighting has seen a sharp decline of over forty percent. Like heavyweight boxing, fighting just isn’t relevant anymore.

The old time hockey mentality that “this isn’t figure skating” or it’s a “real man’s sport” just demonstrate the ignorance of the unwritten code and those who continue to support it. Hockey has taken great strides to open up the game for the highly skilled players. It has done an even better job of eliminating dangerous hits from behind.

With the Stanley Cup playoffs now in full swing, and fights as rare as wooden sticks, a new concern has taken center ice as the league takes issue with intent to injure and illegal hits to the head. With superstar Sydney Crosby sitting out the playoffs due to a concussion, the cost of injuries to high profile players goes beyond the physical and into the financial.

In the meantime the NHL has proven to be wildly inconsistent as they attempt to implement Rule 48, which simply stated says, a lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact is not permitted. While the intent of the rule is a good one, the enforcement has been unpredictable.

In the third game of the Canucks/Blackhawks series at Chicago Stadium, Canuck tough guy Raffi Torres, fresh off a four game suspension, hammered Hawk Brent Seabrook with a blindside hit to the head that collapsed the All Star defenseman. Invoking an apparently misunderstood fine line of Rule 48 that makes the area behind the net fair game for any hits, the NHL balked at a suspension for the human wrecking ball from Vancouver. Unlike the Pittsburgh Penguins who sent a strong message to their tough guy, Matt Cooke, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault defended the legitimacy of the hit. “I understand where (the NHL) is going with it (Rule 48), but hockey is a physical game… in a collision sport there's always going to be injuries."

To Chicago’s credit the Blackhawks have retaliated on the scoreboard trouncing the Canucks twice by a 12-2 margin to get back into the series that appeared to be over. Twenty years ago a hit like this would have turned this best of seven into a bloodbath.

At a Blackhawks press conference, Seabrook was asked about the apparent NHL free hit zone behind the net. Obviously unaware, Seabrook sounded as if he did indeed have a concussion, “Could you ask your question again,” was his confused response.

One night later the Pittsburgh Penguin’s, Chris Kunitz and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Steve Downie exchanged shots to the head that further clouded the issue of exactly how Rule 48 protects defenseless players. Each player was handed down a one game suspension further confusing everybody, but making it clear that no identifiable standard really exists.

Bottom line is that there is no place in hockey for blindside hits to the head that are intended to injure an opponent—no matter where they occur. These guys have moms and dads and families. Hits dished out by the new enforcers like Torres, who intimidate with their body instead of their fists, demonstrates complete disrespect for the welfare of their opponents.

That lack of respect for another person, for me, is by far the most disturbing aspect. When winning a trophy, even one as honored as the Stanley Cup, becomes more important than the well-being of a fellow athlete then we have crossed an ethical line. The NHL can’t legislate morality. That is a personal issue that comes from deep inside each player.

Nobody wants to see the physical aspect of hockey eliminated. It is ingrained in the very fabric of the game. However, replacing enforcers that fight with ones that head hunt defenseless players can’t be considered progress or good for the game.

The Stanley Cup playoffs bring out an intensity and competitive spirit unparalleled in sports. When it is over both teams demonstrate their mutual respect for each other with hockey’s most time-honored tradition—the handshake.

For the good of the game and the well-being of the players it is time to see respect for opponents extend beyond that final handshake.