A survey designed to better understand the current perceptions and opinions on body checking and injuries in the sport of hockey was prepared by this sub-committee with the assistance of PROVOKE. The survey was open to anyone involved in minor hockey in Calgary following an email invitation and participation instructions sent to each association within Hockey Calgary. In addition, a notice regarding the survey was posted on Hockey Calgary’s website. Responses were collected online from January 13-26, 2012.
Results of this survey indicate that the topic of body checking was of strong interest to parents of players currently registered with Hockey Calgary. Of the estimated 13,500 possible respondents in Calgary, 3805 responses were received, with representation to varying degrees from all minor hockey associations in Calgary. Of this 3,805, 3,609 were parents and caregivers of players currently enrolled in minor hockey programs in Calgary (CURRENT parents). 79 of the 3,805 were parents or caregivers who had players enrolled in minor hockey in the past (LEFT parents). 117 of the 3,805 were individuals involved with minor hockey but who have never personally had children registered in minor hockey in Calgary (board member, coach, officials) (OTHERS). Given the small numbers of participants in the “Left parents” and “Other” groups, the opinions expressed by these groups are viewed by the committee as indicative rather than representative. Although these perspectives will be considered, the focus of this summary will be on the results for the majority of respondents, the “Current parents” group.
The results of this survey indicate that there is an appetite for change among “Current parents” with regards to body checking in minor hockey (72.5% of respondents). The form of that change was represented by very diverse opinions, many of which were considered by the sub-committee. With regards to safety, it was notable that 50.6% of “Current parents” indicated that “make the game safer” was the number one outcome endorsed if changes to body checking were made. Although body checking does not cause the majority of “Current parents” to actively consider their player’s ongoing involvement in hockey, body checking does cause 42.3% to do so. “Current parents” also expressed that in their view, coach education and referees had the greatest effect on safety in hockey. Finally, the number one reported reason why players are involved in minor hockey is to have FUN (91%). Fitness/skill development (85.6%) and the social/team aspect of the game (84.1%) were the second and third most popular reasons for playing hockey consistent with literature reviewed and Calgary Rec Hockey registration data.
More information about body checking
Additional survey results