Doyle: Know the OHL before you write about it

I've been holding off on posting my overall feelings on the Fanelli/Liambas incident of last week as plenty has already been said. But one of the frustrating things about incidents like this is when people who don't cover junior hockey, or hockey at all, decide to jump into the conversation.

For example, there is an editorial going around the Sun Media chain by writer Kalvin Reid. First thing you might ask is - Who??? Yes, I am wondering the same thing. But here are a few of the quotes from his column.

Liambas came in full speed from the opposite side and drove his shoulder into the top of Fanelli's back;

But this much is evident: the hit was reckless and clearly from behind.

If the hit was clearly from behind, there would not be as much debate about the legality of it. The on-ice referees did not call it a hit from behind. The OHL has not referred to it as a hit from behind. Even as Fanelli turned to play the puck to his right, the contact was not "clearly" a hit from behind but on the back of the shoulder.

The league should also review its overage rule. Liambas is 20; Fanelli is 16. That is a man playing against a boy. Those four years mean a lot in terms of physical development in young men -- and the size of these two players clearly illustrates that. Liambas stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 200 pounds. Fanelli is a few inches taller, but tips the scales at only 175 pounds.

An overage junior hockey player is unlikely to make the NHL. By that point, they should be playing in a mid-to low-level pro league, or considering another career and going back to school.

First of all, age does not automatically create size differences. Just look at the Sudbury Wolves roster now, you could choose to be hit by 20-year-old Steve Reese or 16-year-old Justin Sefton. While this writer would lead you to believe Reese would be the one more likely to be able to deliver the devastating hit, the truth is that the rookie Sefton is much more aggressive and feared by opponents. Also, who says OAs can only play in a mid-to-low level league? Never let the facts get in the way of a good story I guess.

I give you the following examples:

* New York Rangers forward Ryan Callahan, who played OA in Guelph and now is a regular member of the Rangers.
* Chad LaRose had his breakout season as an overager in Plymouth and after going undrafted is now a regular with the Carolina Hurricanes.
* Ryan Wilson came back to Sarnia for an overage season and rather than earning a "mid-to-low level pro contract, his performance earned him a full NHL contract and he has since been called up to Colorado.
* Jamie Tardif played his OA season in Peterborough and is now the captain of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Certainly not some mid-to-low level minor leaguer.
* Michael Swift's OA season helped him earn a pro contract and played last season in the AHL.
* David Clarkson was an overage player in Kitchener before earning a chance in the New Jersey system and now plays for the Devils.

There are many, many more examples of players suiting up for an overage year that have gone on to very fruitful careers, not just some slug hanging around in the low minors or should have already moved on to another career. If the writer actually knew the OHL, he'd know that many of those players that would fall under his blanket statement are not invited back for an overage season because there is not enough room for them. With the overage roster limits, those roster spots only go to certain players. Even some of the players who do go "back to school" end up playing pro hockey down the road, and don't need to "find another career".

When incidents like this happen it is good to review and see if there is anything different that could be done to prevent another one. The OHL has already said they are consulting with the helmet manufacturer to investigate what happened with Ben Fanelli's helmet. That is necessary to find out exactly what happened and how it can be avoided. But quite often some will overreact. Hockey is a fast-paced physical sport and sometimes it is going to result in injuries. While we never want to see an injury to the severity of Ben Fanelli, the fact remains there is always a risk of injury in hockey.

There are many writers who cover the NHL that jump into junior hockey at times who still know what is happening in the OHL - just do not get a chance to write about it a whole lot. An example is Bob McKenzie. Bob knows the OHL just as well as anyone, but that's not his usual outlet since his normal audience is NHL fans. He has also covered the World Juniors for decades. When he jumps into an OHL issue, he knows what he is talking about.

But it would be nice if others who decide to dive into the conversation would actually do some homework before determining they are an overnight expert.

tdoyle@loosepucks.com