Big OHL hit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPj-kCp1rGI[HTML_REMOVED]feature=related

Ben Fanelli, who plays(ed) hockey for the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) and was hit by Erie Otters player Michael Liambas. Ben went down immediately and was air lifted to Hamilton Hospital. He has a fractured skull and a fractured orbital bone.

This hit has 2 clear penalties. A charging major (roughly defined as 3 or more strides in an attempt to hit another player) and an elbowing major, which is shown in the second clip where Liambas elbow makes clear, un-interfered contact with Ben Fanelli's head.

A little more info, Ben Fanelli is only 16 and already playing in the OHL, so chances are he had a good future in hockey. Also Liambas is notorious for being a goon. He has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. In my opinion, the punishment should fit the crime and chances are Fanelli won't be playing hockey again, so Liambas should not be either.

Can hockey players be charged?

Can hockey players be charged?

It has happened in the past. Bertuzzi was charged for his attack on Steve Moore wasn't he? Marty McSorely was charged for his attack on Donald Bashear. Those are the two main instances I can think of, but I'm sure there has been more.

Fuck that was brutal.

It has happened in the past. Bertuzzi was charged for his attack on Steve Moore wasn't he?

I think the criminal charges were dropped. Current suit is in civil court.

For the NHL, I think the po-po considers it a league matter and the league will more then likely impose league restrictions / fines / bans, etc.

Not sure about the OHL though.

heres an idea, don't turn your back when you see a player getting ready to hit you

his goalie sure didnt help the matter

I still dont think the hit was THAT bad. it was nasty, yeah. The outcome was nasty. But the actual hit - Ive seen worse…. now the Leambis' (hitter) career is over for sure.

edit. the defenceman also should get a helmet that fits. and not try to avoid a hit.

Sad, but total bullshit on the suspension.

Fanelli is holding the puck, and has a forecheking player bearing down. He is hit a split second after dishing the puck. He turned away from the hit instead of absorbing it as he's likely been taught.

All Liambas was doing was finishing his check as he's been taught all his life. Didn't leave his feat, and Fanelli was still in possession of the puck when Liambas committed to the hit.

Sad incident, but to suspend him for the year, much less life, is absolutely ridiculous.

All Liambas was doing was finishing his check as he's been taught all his life. Didn't leave his feat, and Fanelli was still in possession of the puck when Liambas committed to the hit.

If five or six strides before an elbow to the head is 'finishing your check' then there must have been some kind of rule change. Gone for the year is reasonable I'd say.

If five or six strides before an elbow to the head is 'finishing your check' then there must have been some kind of rule change. Gone for the year is reasonable I'd say.

But he doesnt stride. Watch it closely. He coasts for the last 10 feet, from well beyond the goal line.

people are going to start getting killed/permanently injured with the hitting going on in pro hockey these days. how many nhlers have been taken out on stretchers so far this season? and it's been what, 15 games in?

Cam- the kid had the puck! Only a split second before the hit did he dish, while turning away from the hit. He saw it coming…should have done what most will do…send the puck in the direction you are carrying it, and brace to take the hit face on. Then people wouldn't be calling for a year.

This is not a Todd Bertuzzi or Marty McSorely type incident. Absolutely zero malicious intent.

man i cringed when i saw that.

but Dude is right. If someone is going to nail you like that jump up against the boards. They hit you and the boards absorb it all (unless its the really really old rinks with the rigid boards). They take it worse.