But in hockey, it's NOT assault, any more than it would be in boxing. The hockey rule book doesn't have to say that fighting is legal, just look at the punishment to see the reality of the situation. They sit in the penalty box for five minutes and the rest of the team uses their "special teams" group to kill the penalty. They practice those things because the fights are inevitable. Charging someone to sit in the corner for five minutes when the don't play nice i.e. fight, is not supporting the idea that fighting is against the rules. If you're willing to pay the price, 5 minute, you can fight as often as you want! Every hockey team has at least one player who has minimal hockey skills but is willing to go out on the ice and retaliate, it's what they're paid for. I agree, it doesn't excuse it, I don't agree with it, but it is reality.

Frank