I was interested in your thoughts about violence in hockey, how it alienates would-be hockey fans from the game. I'd like to know why you think this is the case. Those sports have HUGE followings around the world, while hockey's following is somewhat limited. But I believe that fighting has attracted rather than repelled fans. Matt Burch, St. Louis Wrestling is more akin to cartoons or movies.
Football is even more violent than hockey.
However, much of that violence is hidden. Television usually only shows big hits on ball carriers and quarterbacks. It is the fighting and the stick-swinging that makes hockey different. In hockey, the guys square off and then beat each other while referees watch. Other times, people club each other with sticks.