The ongoing debate with regards to the regulation of violence in hockey is analyzed
through a legal and social perspective. The main research question touches on whether
the law has a role to play in such regulation and how violence can be properly addressed
in order to ensure the health and safety of all participants. There is a culture of hockey
violence that creates an environment that is tolerable of excessive violence. This thesis
addresses excessive violence and considers the player perspective with interview data and
vignette research. Interview participants include hockey players at different levels of
play. This research demonstrates at what point the law should intervene to regulate
hockey violence and makes relevant suggestions on potential improvements in the
regulation of violent behaviour in hockey. The goal is to create a framework for criminal
courts that face cases of hockey violence.
