The journalist Jeremy Allingham discusses his book Major Misconduct: The Human Cost of Fighting in Hockey (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2019), with Joseph Planta.

Major Misconduct: The Human Cost of Fighting in Hockey by Jeremy Allingham (Arsenal Pulp, 2019). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Major Misconduct

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

An important book that’s out now is the debut from Jeremy Allingham, Major Misconduct: The Human Cost of Fighting in Hockey. It shines a spotlight on how dangerous fighting can be in a sport, where it is not only expected but encouraged by fans and players alike. It’s a compelling book, because Mr. Allingham tells us the stories of three players he meets, who discuss their injuries and trauma after getting into a lot of bare-knuckle boxing on the ice. They are James McEwan, Stephen Peat, and Dale Purinton, each with their own stories about how a chance at professional hockey glory led to struggles away from the rink. It’s often harrowing what these three, and all too many players like them have experienced. They might in fact be living with the degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE, yet as we’ve learned there is no way of diagnosing this condition, and the only manifestations are effects like mental health issues, PTSD, addictions, prison, as well as thoughts of suicide. The deaths of Steve Montador and Derek Boogaard also illustrate the urgency of reform in this sport both professionally in the NHL, as well as junior leagues throughout Canada and the United States. Jeremy Allingham is an award-winning journalist and musician, whose work for CBC Radio here in Vancouver has included coverage of the opioid crisis, the Northern Gateway Pipeline, as well as politics, and sport. It was from a series he did on CBC Radio that this book had its genesis. @jerallingham is his Twitter handle, and the book is published by Arsenal Pulp Press. Visit www.jeremyallingham.com for more. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jeremy Allingham; Mr. Allingham, good morning.

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