Vladislav Tretiak: Ice rinks in the NHL need to be wider

The president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (IHFR) Vladislav Tretiak believes ice hockey rinks in the NHL need to be broadened in order to avoid future incidents of foul play, like the one that led to Alexander Ovechkin’s recent ban.

«Alexander jumped before barging into the opponent, and that is why he got the ban. His style is physical, like that of Eric Lindros. Without physical play hockey wouldn’t exist, but it has to be within boundaries,» the legendary Soviet goaltender tol Sport-Express.

«Will the tightening of regulations on body checks and, especially, hits to the head, be beneficial to the sport?»

«Without physical contact hockey would become a women’s sport. Ladies play a softer sort of game, but for them it is natural. Look at Russia – we don’t have so many concussions, because our rinks are bigger, which makes it more difficult to hurt another player. In the NHL you’ve got smaller rinks and big players, so concussions are inevitable.»