After the QMJHL increased punishments for fighting, what's the trickle-down effect on the ECHL? <em>Fort Wayne Komets goaltender </em>Ryan Fanti<em> (right) tussles with Wheeling Nailers goalie Brad Barone on March 11, 2023.</em> [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2NTk5ODYxODQyMjkwNDk0/fanti-fight_jtg_031023_30095-josh-gales-1.jpg] <em>Fort Wayne Komets goaltender </em>Ryan Fanti<em> (right) tussles with Wheeling Nailers goalie Brad Barone on March 11, 2023.</em> The QMJHL announced on Aug. 10 it's cracking down further on fighting with automatic ejections and potential suspensions for whoever drops the mitts. The OHL and WHL have yet to follow suit, but fighting is already heavily punished in American junior and collegiate hockey, as well as international competition and professional hockey in Europe. What does this mean for the ECHL? On the Aug. 16 episode of The Hockey News On The 'E' Podcast [https://thehockeynews.com/podcast/thn-on-the-e-winners-and-losers-of-the-echl-off-season-so-far], Justin A. Cohn explains the trickle-down effect of the QMJHL's decision and how it could affect some ECHL markets if fighting is phased out of the game entirely. Meanwhile, Jacob Stoller argues this was a long time coming. After the QMJHL increased punishments for fighting, what's the trickle-down effect on the ECHL? For more video clips and episodes on the NHL, junior hockey, the AHL, ECHL and women's hockey, check out THN.com/podcast [http://thn.com/podcast] or click on "Podcasts" in the menu.
