Navigating the Line Between Fighting and Violence

Starting from the NHL and working down through every level of hockey, leagues have made efforts to reduce or remove fighting. In the case of the LHSAAAQ, they’re making the effort to remove the violence. The move is far from simple semantics or word play, and so far seems to be satisfying players and fans, as well as sponsors. Per game, the league still enjoys an entertaining quantity of fights but has done so by establishing certain boundaries.

Historically, the league wasn’t concerned with keeping pace with the changes in the game when it came to this topic. It was a small market regional league that enjoyed little to none of the social pressures from outside its immediate area. Even In the late 20-teens when their provincial counterpart, the LNAH, was adjusting its game and image, the lesser-known AAA league continued with business as normal. A December 2017 Nouvelliste article showed that where the bigger league was experiencing growing pains with its fan base, the smaller league was enjoying continuity. However, the good times didn’t last.

During a January 2019 game, the league had to face its first highly publicized issue: the Robby Petiquay incident. During a bench clearing brawl in La Tuque, Julien Gauthier was on the ice for visiting Donnacona, and unwilling to take part in the melee. Petiquay joined the event from the bench, striking Gauthier with what several news outlets would call a “violent and sneaky blow.” Gauthier was left hospitalized and unable to continue playing hockey. More impactful, his ailments were severe enough to prevent him from working his day job for almost a year. With the support of his team, Gauthier went outside the league for justice, filing charges with the Provincial Police. Petiquay was sentenced to 2 years of probation with 9 months of limited home confinement. At sentencing, both Petiquay and the league received a strong warning from the judge. The league listened and, starting with suspending Petiquay,  began the process of cleaning up its game.

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The league moved swiftly to quadruple fines and lengthen suspensions for violent acts. In addition to fines for players and coaches, teams became financially responsible as well. Details listed in the Granby Express included an automatic investigation and video review for all brawls, with attention paid to players who instigated them, and coaches who may have directed players to start or join them. While the league is private and does not publish its rule book, a review of game sheets makes it easy to see that the now-common 2 fight rule is in effect, as are similar rules for instigators, 3rd man in, refusal to leave the ice surface and abuse of officials.  As recently as the 2023 League Meetings, the topic was still in play. 

Steps like this were necessary beyond the Petiquay incident. The LHSAAAQ was (and is)  growing in geography, visibility, and talent. What began as a small league in the Mauricie Region now stretches from Beaupre to Valleyfield, and includes larger markets and associated sponsors. Additionally, the league’s recent experiment with streaming services has put them on the global stage. 

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With this type of growth comes the need to satisfy a much broader audience than the one it previously catered to. Petiquay incident or not, line brawls, cheap shots, and targeting unwilling participants had to go. However, there would be, and still is, the question about fighting and what is acceptable. 

The league has maintained for years that it has no intent to ban fighting, using phrases like “fighting is part of the DNA of senior hockey.” However, the type and quantity of fights are in play. In November 2023 the Montreal Gazette published stats of 2.2 fights per game in the 2019-2020 season and 2.3 fights per game in the 2022-23 season. An unofficial tally of game sheets for this piece had 1.9 per game for the 2024-25 season. 

Overall fighting is still high compared to other leagues but is down slightly compared to its own averages. This can be attributed to things like the 2-fight rule and other rules that limit fighting to willing participants. Another factor that comes into play is the roster makeup. Teams are no longer signing players whose sole purpose is to drop the gloves. Removing those positions has made it easier to attract the more skilled players who are helping sell the league to wider audiences. 

While the teams are drafting an ever increasing number of players from university and high-end junior programs, they’re still quick to advertise the signing of “hommes forte” with “robuste” styles of play. Official league stats from last season show that players can still easily eclipse the 100 PIM plateau despite playing just a 26 game season. Fan videos showing these players squaring off to live arena music and cheering crowds are easy to find, and showcase what is still considered acceptable by all parties. 

The league has worked hard to find the boundaries between fighting and violence and continues to make adjustments. By targeting violence, the overall quantity of fighting has diminished. The fights that are left are the ones that the agreeable to all parties and don't make negative headlines. With these changes, highly skilled players are integrating a level of play that’s replacing the entertainment value of one-dimensional fighters, and the league is marketing to youth players and families more than ever before.  It’s all part of finding the right balance and boundaries around a sensitive topic that all leagues have had to deal with. The LHSAAAQ seems to be doing well with its efforts.