Peewee bodychecking ban welcome news to local hockey officials
The nationwide ban to bodychecking in peewee hockey adopted by Hockey Canada in Charlottetown, P.E.I. this weekend did not raise many eyebrows locally.
The nationwide ban to bodychecking in peewee hockey adopted by Hockey Canada in Charlottetown, P.E.I. this weekend did not raise many eyebrows locally.
The Yukon Amateur Hockey Association (YAHA) implemented the ban in house league hockey and tournaments in 2006.
"I wouldn't say it's long overdue, but it's a great initiative,鈥� YAHA president John Berg told the Star this morning. "I'm all for it, especially with the number of concussions over the years.鈥�
The ban on bodychecking at the peewee level (11- and 12-year-olds) and below was approved at Hockey Canada's annual general meeting this weekend. The ban will take effect next season.
In addition to the rule change, a work group was set up to build a mandatory
national checking and instructional resource program to support coaches teaching the game to young players across the country.
The Yukon did not send a representative to Charlottetown this weekend, as the territory is officially represented by B.C. Hockey, Berg explained.
Berg said the Yukon initiated the ban to prevent injuries when the Whitehorse Mustangs rep A players still played against their respective age groups. That allowed recreational-minded players a chance to continue competing against more competitive athletes.
Before the ban, there was a group of competitive players "who just wanted to smoke鈥� recreational players, said Berg.
"Then we'd have injuries.鈥�
There was some opposition voiced when the ruling was made seven years ago, but "it wasn't a big groundswell who said this is crazy,鈥� Berg explained. "We had our reasons and it's stood its test of time now. We were ahead of the game for once.鈥�
One change will see the Peewee A Mustangs unable to bodycheck in their tournaments outside of the Yukon.
Mustangs coach Martin Lawrie said the ruling puts more pressure on grassroots minor hockey associations to ensure they teach their players the correct way to enter contact at a later age.
Lawrie said he has been working with the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association (WMHA) to develop checking curriculum for the past year.
"Bodychecking is only one element of checking in hockey, so there's a lot of training and a lot of coaching that goes in well before you even bring the bodychecking part into the game,鈥� he said. "I think we'll adjust our thinking and have them prepared for bantam.鈥�
The ban is intended to allow more time for essential skill training that will help young players better handle bodychecking when they turn 13. Last year, published reports pointed to a three-fold increase in injuries for peewee players allowed to bodycheck in Alberta, compared to players of the same age group in Quebec, where bodychecking is banned.
According to Lawrie, the change isn't so much physical as it is mental.
"I've coached the last two Peewee Mustangs teams, and that's been the biggest change for the kids 鈥� is being mentally prepared to do it,鈥� he said. "Some of them do have some fear, some of them are just excited and dying to do it.
"That's probably my concern about moving it from peewee up to bantam, if I had to express a concern,鈥� he said. "I think that mental hurdle is going to be even more difficult after waiting two more years to introduce it. But hopefully it's a good thing, and hopefully it engages more kids to continue playing.鈥�
WMHA president Carl Burgess said the reports presented to Hockey Canada demonstrate a dramatic drop in injuries and the potential for concussions.
"At that level, how can you argue against that?鈥� he asked. "I think it will be well received. Folks will have to gauge how successful it is. Obviously the change is trying to meet many goals, and if this helps appeal to that broad base of kids and adults that want to play hockey, then that's great.鈥�
Injury reduction is leading the charge of change within the country's national game, especially with NHL stars incurring head injuries at a more rampant pace than ever.
"The reason the game is as strong as it is, is because it rolls with the times,鈥� Burgess said. "This is just a new tweak.鈥�
Comments (3)
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No half way on May 28, 2013 at 8:37 am
I think checking should be either all in or all out of amateur hockey. No half way.
Checking isn't something you can phase in at any level other than right at the entry point. Introducing checking in Bantam is the worst possible scenario. You could have a 90 pound first year player and a 200+ pound second year player.
Think back to Eric Lindros. A massive power forward who was much larger than his opponents all through amateur hockey. He'd skate with his head down and just charge through to the net, never getting hit, never being forced to protect himself. That worked until he went pro and met Scott Stevens and guys who could line a fella up. We all know how Eric's career went and in 20 years we will see how much damage has really occurred for a player like him. (See: Mohammad Ali)
The reality being that players will get hit (sometimes by their own teammates) and the crucial skill needed is: how to take a hit. Something that should be taught from the very second a kid laces up.
I've never seen that skill taught in Whitehorse and I've been around the sport for more than 30 years.
That said, how do you prep a player who have never played the checking game for a pro league that does play checking.
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Arn Anderson on May 28, 2013 at 1:54 am
Now the care bears have invaded hockey. When they get older, they won't know how to check, hence more players getting hurt and how to receive a check. It's bad enough that the protective gear is like armour with more intent on hurting than prevention. Canadian hockey is becoming like the European version every year. But hey, this the prelude to a check free NHL, train them early and get rid of checking but in the end we will see more and more cheapshots, charging and slashing.
Remember we beat the Russians in 72 who had the workouts, training regimes, other sports like soccer, and fancy equipment, but our Canadian version of hockey with beer guzzling, hard hitting players won that series. Kudos to Bobby Clarke for slashing that Russian player and kudos to the Russian referees making questionable calls, the door swung both ways but at least you can see it for what it is.
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Clayton on May 27, 2013 at 10:58 am
I don't agree, Peewee is when you should be learning how to check, and how to get checked! If they wait till later, when the kids are much bigger, they are going to get hurt! people don't get that or what?