"Political Correctness Run Amok"

In his column in the Toronto Sun, Steve Buffery speaks out about his dislike of allowing female hockey players eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

The annual push to have Angela James and other top female players included in the Hockey Hall of Fame is on.

I have a problem with that, because: Paul Henderson is not in the Hall. Doug Gilmour is not in the Hall. Carl Brewer is not in the Hall. J.C. Tremblay is not in the Hall.

He goes on to also name German star Erich Kuhnhackl and AHL legend Willie "The Whip" Marshall, too.

He is not arguing that any of these players should be in the Hall either. But he is saying they are far more deserving than any of the female players.

I know for a fact that there is a percentage of hockey insiders who think this way. Take the best female player in the world - Hayley Wickenheiser or Cammi Granato or Angela James (pictured) or whoever you want - and they are supposedly not as good as Murray Craven or Jody Gage or that kid from International Falls, Minnesota that the locals still talk about. This is, as Buffery says, "political correctness run amok."

I think that is attitude is just wrong.

What these women have accomplished should not be belittled. They have brought pride to their respective nations, especially with some special Olympic memories. They have inspired girls and women of all ages to take up the great game. Their contributions to the game have transcended their own game. They deserve recognition. Not to mention this is a great way to help grow the women's game worldwide. Good on the Hall for taking this initiative.

Maybe the Hall should have a special category for international stars and minor league players, too. That is a different debate. But that women have been the first such group should not threaten these hockey chauvinists.
This is the Hockey Hall of Fame, after all, not the men's Hockey Hall of Fame.