Flames coach Hartley denies teaching fighting in practice
Candice Ward / USA Today
The Calgary Flames raised eyebrows on Thursday when they reportedly brought in an instructor to teach the art of fighting to players at practice.
Head coach Bob Hartley denied it on Friday, providing a semantic clarification for reporters.
Bob Hartley denies Flames are teaching players to fight. Says organization is teaching young players to 'protect' themselves
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) September 26, 2014
On Thursday, Hartley explained it in similar terms, saying the goal of the exercise was to "teach the kids to defend themselves."
Regardless of how it's framed, the Flames are clearly making fighting defending themselves a priority.