The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL

by Ross Bernstein

For decades, hockey crowds have been brought to their feet for one of the most exciting aspects of NHL games--the fights. The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL by Ross Bernstein takes you in-depth and behind the scenes to explore the history of fighting during hockey games and the honor system behind it. More than 50 NHL players, coaches, and media personalities were interviewed to examine how players go about their...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572437561
• ISBN13: 9781572437562
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Triumph Books (IL)
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A must read for the new hockey fan

being new hockey fans it has often been confusing as to why some penalties are called and some things aren't. Hearing long time fans complaining about calls that seem obvious. why is fighting allowed in hockey but not other team sports. This book does an excellent job of explaining how hockey has evolved and the reasons behind a lot of the actions on the ice. Definately opens up another line of thinking and allows you to have a better perspective of the game from the players point of view.

Outstanding Book

As a 25+ year hockey veteran, this book taught me a lot about the game behind the game. The commentary by many ex-players had me laughing out loud and my wife looking at me funny. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks hockey is a brutal or barbaric sport since it definitely teaches the reader lessons on what provokes enforcers in the NHL.

Great read for any fan of hockey or sports

Fascinating insight into the code of conduct and ethics that NHL players have always adhered. As much as I've watched hockey, I had never heard of "The Code" which governs the play, physicality, and rules of retalliation during play and is entirely self-enforced by NHL players from the begining of the game up to modern times. The contributing side-bars from former and current enforcers added a lot of color, humor, and credibility to the book. It's completely changed the way I watch hockey and help explain a lot of the intricacies and sub-plots that take part during a game and especially during the run for the cup.

Great book

I loved reading about all the fights. I had no idea just what went into a hockey fighht. I learned so much. By the time two heavy weights drop the gloves, there are so many behind the scenes things that happen. Great read. I highly recommend it for any hockey fan.

BOOK DESCRIPTION FROM THE AUTHOR, ROSS BERNSTEIN

"THE CODE: A Behind the Scenes Look at the National Hockey League's Sacred Code of Honor Which Governs the Unwritten Rules of Fighting & Retaliation" FOREWORD BY MARTY McSORLEY Hockey is, and always has been, a sport steeped in a culture of violence. Players have learned, however, to navigate through its mazes and labyrinths of physical contact by adhering to an honor code of conduct known simply as the "Code." As mysterious as it is sacred, the Code is an unwritten set of rules, the bible of hockey sportsmanship if you will, that has been handed down from generation to generation. The Code picks up where the rulebook leaves off and fills in the gaps, all in an effort to govern the game and its players - allowing them to compete in a manner deemed fair and respectful. To fully understand the significance and history behind the Code, Ross Bernstein, the author of more than 30 sports books, interviewed more than 50 current and former NHL players, coaches and media personalities. Their insight tells the story of why fighting is allowed in the National Hockey League and how the Code allows the players to police themselves both on and off the ice. While the Code has been around since the early days of hockey, it remains a very taboo subject shrouded in mystery. In fact, many players are simply unwilling to talk about it publicly. It is a system of rules which was learned by most players as kids playing minor and junior hockey in Canada. Then, as teenagers, the players were shown what was acceptable and what wasn't by trial and error and plain ol' baptism by fire. Everything from bench clearing brawls to settling old scores is covered in the Code. It's all in there, but you won't read about it anywhere. Nope, there is no manual or rule book to refer to, just a way of life for hockey's elite who are lucky enough to find themselves initiated into one of professional sports' greatest fraternities. Hockey's rules of engagement come down to players protecting one another, factors of intimidation, and good old fashioned camaraderie. If a player challenges another player, that player must answer the bell - or risk the humiliation of being considered dirty, or even a coward. Worse yet, if that player refuses to right what was wronged right then and there, he risks having that incident escalate to another level, involving additional teammates. The Code keeps players of all levels honest and forces them to keep their heads on a swivel. It makes them think twice about carrying their sticks high, running a player from behind or checking the wrong guy at the wrong time. It is intimidation based on the theory that a good offense can be established by having a good defense. The Code is much, much bigger than any one individual or team. Simply put, you don't break the rules of the Code, because if you do, then there will be hell to pay - period. There is a chain of accountability in pro hockey and it's been that way for more than 100 years. It is