News Release
March 29, 2012
For Immediate Release
HOCKEY CALGARY DELAYS BODY CHECKING UNTIL BANTAM
CALGARY, ALTA – Hockey Calgary announced today they will be delaying body checking until the Bantam level starting in the 2012-2013 season.
A body checking committee was put together following a membership motion put forth at the 2011 AGM. This committee gathered detailed information through studies, public input and research and then presented their findings and recommendations to the Hockey Calgary Board of Directors.
“The findings of a five year study make it very clear that children who body check at the Pee Wee level are three times more likely to suffer from a concussion or major injury. We want the game to be fun and children to be put in a safe environment where they can develop their skills,” said Todd Millar, president, Hockey Calgary.
Children will still learn how to body check during practices, but not be able to body check in a game. It is important to note body contact will still be a part of the game.
“The risk of injury in a practice is much less than in a game. We hope by delaying body checking until the Bantam level and slowing down the process, we will make our game more enjoyable, safer and give our athletes an opportunity to develop to their full potential and out of harms way,” said Millar.
Hockey Calgary put out a questionnaire to the public asking for feedback on body checking at the Pee Wee level; 73 per cent of current Pee Wee parents said they want to see a change, over 50 per cent of them indicated they want the game to be safer and 91 per cent of all parents agree having fun is the number one reason for playing hockey. Over 3.500 people took the online survey.
“By introducing body checking at the bantam level, when players are bigger, stronger and faster, studies show no significant increase in injuries. We aren’t the first association to delay body checking until bantam and we strongly believe we won’t be the last,” said Millar.
Currently, Quebec does not permit body checking at the Pee Wee level and introduces it in bantam. Ontario Minor Hockey Association has taken body checking out of all levels for their House League and House League Select programs. BC has also removed body checking in various regions for their Recreation Leagues. USA Hockey has made a national decision to not allow body checking, during games, at the Pee Wee level and introduced it in bantam as of the 2010/2011 Season.
“There is a new trend happening here. After doing all of our own research, with the help of so many people, we have come to the same findings as these other groups. Hopefully by taking a stance and providing our findings to other associations and governing bodies, we can continue to make the game safer for everyone,” said Millar.
For more information, please visit our body checking page.
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For more information, please contact:
Christina Rogers, Manager, Communications, Marketing and Events
Hockey Calgary
Cell: 403.354.4407
Email: christina@hockeycalgary.com