I know this has been discussed, but Willie Mitchell recently blasted our dear friend Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell for headshots in the NHL Yahoo Article. But this is not whats bugging me. So here is a little Blackhawks History with Willie Mitchell for those who may not be familiar with this guy.

It's October 21, 2009 the season is still just gearing up and the Chicago Blackhawks are Playing the Vancouver Canucks almost 6 minutes into the 3rd period. Jonathan Toews receives a pass from I believe it is Tomas Kopecky (***CORRECTION***), Troy Brouwer who just received the puck from Kris Versteeg and gaining possession in the slot in the Hawks Defensive zone. Mitchell steps back on the ice from the penalty box and at the center ice circle levels Tazer.

In the comments part of the Yahoo article you will find some who think this hit was clean, while others use it as a prime example (and hypocritical of Mitchell) of head shots that need to be banned.

I am all for getting rid of hits to the head, but I feel this is a poor example of the ones the NHL needs to focus on. My feeling is this is a totally clean open ice Hockey hit. Even with new rules in place, this hit should not even draw a penalty, let alone a suspension. I do not see intent to injure, aim for the head, Mitchell pulled his arms in, hit with his shoulder not leaving his feet, and Toews put himself in a vulnerable position. Toews had his head down and was not looking in front of him. These are the clean types of hits that will happen from time to time, it is the ones aimed at the head that need to be dealt with harshly. But I do not want to see players affraid to hit another player out of fear it "may" turn into a head shot, I think that would damage the game.

Don't get me wrong, when I saw this hit happen, I was like how the rest of you were "OH FUCK" and thought Mitchell needed to get pounded back into his cave, but after watching it a few times was, well Damn, what can you say?

So my question to you all, is (I know we have done this already) was this hit from Mitchell on Tazer a clean Hockey hit, or was it the type of hit the NHL needs to the hammer down on?