Letting Youngsters Bodycheck is Sheer Folly

Body checking in minor hockey could jeopardize our national sport by turning it into our most dangerous game.

The February issue of the journal Pediatrics published a study by York University and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Researchers found that children who start checking at age 10 are twice as likely to be injured as those who start after age 14. Children in leagues that allow checking suffer more frequent and more serious injuries. Moreover, those who start checking earlier continue to have more injuries than those who start at a later age. The study concludes that body checking should not be allowed in minor hockey until players are at least 14 years of age.

In 2003, four of Hockey Canada’s 13 branches decided to allow checking for boys as young as nine years old. The possibility that letting atom players check could drive young boys away from the game was apparently not considered.

“The main reason kids play any sport is for fun,” says Canada Safety Council president Emile Therien. “Hitting and the risk of serious injuries remove the motivation.”

The study published in Pediatrics shows beyond the shadow of a doubt that allowing bodychecking for young players results in more injuries, including concussions which lead to life-long disability. This in turn brings legal liability, when claims for serious injuries send insurance rates skyrocketing. Predictably, in June 2004, the City of Toronto announced its insurers will no longer cover minor hockey. Hockey Canada will insure teams under its purview, but only for pre-approved games and practices.

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.

The Canada Safety Council urges hockey associations to reconsider their stand on bodychecking. Hopefully it’s not too late to change direction and save our national sport by making it safer.

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