"Fighting needs to stop"; "What a tilt": Hockey fans react to massive brawl at ECHL game 

Hockey fans witnessed a major brawl on Sunday in an ECHL game between Garrett “The Sheriff” Klotz and Daniel “Diamond Hands” Amesbury. The fight happened at center ice during a game between Klotz’s Rapid City Rush and Amesbury’s Kansas City Mavericks. Known for his fighting skills, Amesbury has had viral fights in the past, including one against Yannick Turcotte. This time, however, Klotz came out on top with a TKO win.

Spittin' Chiclets shared a video of the fight on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption,

“NOW THIS IS A HOCKEY FIGHT!”

Fans had mixed reactions. Some loved the old-school intensity, with one commenting,

“No school like the old school. What a tilt!”

Others disagreed, with another saying,

“Fighting just NEEDS to STOP in the NHL and ALL of hockey!!!!!”

"Garrett Klotz past fights: - Brian McGrattan - Jon Mirasty - Francis Lessard Guys been playing 16 years in the AHL/ECHL" a fan shared.

"White was getting rocked before he landed that" another fan shared.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"There is a chance that their grandchildren will only know them as grumpy old men who have to sit in the dark." a fan mentioned.

"So this is what Bush was reffering to when he was talking about weapons of mass destruction" another shared.

"And how eventually athletes deal with concussions and overall health related concerns. Isn't it wonderful. 🙄 Well. The Neanderthal society thinks so." One fan shared concern.

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ECHL's recent rule changes regarding fighting and other game rules

In 2023, the ECHL toughened its rules on fighting. Now, players are ejected if they get two fighting penalties in one game unless one player is given an instigator penalty. A fight that happens around a face-off also leads to an automatic game misconduct.

For the 2024-25 season, the ECHL made more changes. Half of its games will now use two referees, helping players get used to the AHL and NHL. Teams can also increase their rosters from 17 skaters to 18, allowing full forward and defensive lines.

Other updates include a new 3-Day Injured Reserve spot, a later Saturday transaction deadline, and digital lineup cards. Rule changes also address game delays and icing violations. These adjustments help the League align with higher leagues, making player transitions easier.