Body Checking in Minor Hockey

I am in receipt of a copy of your letter dated November 25 to Chuck Blanaru, President of the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association on the issue of bodychecking in minor hockey. The Canada Safety Council shares the concerns expressed by Mr. Blanaru and his associates on this significant public health and injury prevention issue.

In your discussions and deliberation on this issue, I would ask you to consider the following:

• According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 8,000 people were treated for hockey related injuries in Ontario hospital emergency rooms in the 2002-2003 season, suggesting that more than 25,000 were injured across the country.
• Among young hockey players (18 and under) 62 per cent of injuries were a result of checking. Injuries caused by body checks are most common in the 14 to 16 group, after players have been exposed to checking for several years. Seven per cent of the injured were girls and women, yet female hockey is exclusively non-contact.
• The decision to allow body checking in minor hockey could jeopardize our national sport by turning it into our most dangerous game.
• Allowing atom players to check will drive young boys away from the game. The main reason kids play any sport is for fun. Hitting and the risk of serious injuries remove the motivation.
• Any branch that permits body checking for young children must consider its exposure to legal liability. Checking is inherently dangerous with potentially catastrophic results. Claims for spinal cord injuries and concussions from checking send insurance rates skyrocketing.
• Minor hockey is a better game to watch and play without body checking. When players concentrate on skating, shooting, passing and teamwork the quality of the game improves. If players skate well, the other skills become academic.

In your letter to Mr. Blanaru, I am pleased to read that, as you state, self-governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and its affiliated branches, do have the right to set their own regulations and thresholds, you agree that governments have a responsibility to consider the impact of those decisions on public safety, particularly with respect to children and youth. And to that end you will follow up with your provincial counterparts on the appropriate steps to take in this matter. I am also encouraged by the fact you have instructed staff in the Sport and Physical Activity Branch to meet with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit to discuss the issue in more depth.

Please keep the Canada Safety Council advised of your on-going discussions and action on this important, but nevertheless divisive and controversial item.

The following is for your additional information. The Canada Safety Council has a longstanding concern that flying pucks can injure spectators in hockey arenas. Deaths are rare, but injuries - some quite serious - are not uncommon. Most of Canada's 3,500 community arenas date back at least 30 years. That means that many are due for renovations, when features could be incorporated to protect the fans. However, the absence of a national standard makes it hard to determine what is needed for optimal safety. In line with its public health and safety mandate, CSC is providing funding for a national standard on spectator protection for indoor arenas. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Canadian Recreational Facilities Council (CRFC) have endorsed the development of the standard. CRFC represents the owners and operators of over 3,500 facilities across the country. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is developing this voluntary standard targeted to owners, operators and designers of indoor arenas. Topics in the standard may include netting, glass or other devices to protect spectators from being injured by objects coming out of the area of play. The purpose of this standard, which will be ready in 2004, is to protect people who watch events at indoor arenas. Millions of Canadians visit these facilities on a regular basis, especially during the hockey season.

Sincerely,

Emile-J. Therien
President, Canada Safety Council

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January 22, 2003
November 25, 2003