Ice hockey: Fighting clause thrown out

Ice hockey

A clause in the contract of the Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ken Baumgartner that would have rewarded him for fighting has been scrapped. The National Hockey League arbitrator, George Nicolau, made the ruling after hearing arguments from the NHL and the NHL Players' Association.

Toronto had agreed to pay Baumgartner a $10,000 (pounds 6,000) bonus if he reached 170 minutes in penalties this season and as much as $55,000 (pounds 36,000) if he reached 260. Bob Murray, Baumgartner's agent, suggested the clause during contract negotiations as a means of enhancing the deal, said Bill Watters, Toronto's assistant general manager.

The prolific Steve Moria is set to make his debut as Great Britain continue their campaign to qualify for the 1998 Winter Olympics against Denmark at Milton Keynes tonight. The Canadian-born forward is ready to help his adopted country's cause after only being granted his British passport last week.