Quote:
Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist
Kids are getting hurt at peewee level and often not just skating away already. These are 65-120lbs kids doing real damage to each other
Edit: Great info:
http://tnchl.com/facts.asp
"A: Many have said that if children were taught how to take and give a check at an earlier age, there would be fewer injuries. However, Capital Health reports that there is evidence that training for body checking does not reduce injuries, illegal body checks, or penalties. There have been a number of studies that compare the experience in contact and non-contact leagues; these studies report that the incidence of injuries, especially head injuries, is much higher where body checking is allowed. A 2003 study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that body checking was associated with 86% of injuries sustained by players 9-15 years old. Players in contact leagues were four times as likely to be injured (among those 9–15 years old). " |
Wait you mean the majority of the injuries in a contact sport come from the contact!! Thats one of the most ridiculous things ive ever heard.
Im guessing this is only a Hockey Calgary mandate and not Hockey Alberta. Whats the average age contact starts country wide?
I personally think this a terrible decsion the size difference between a 13 year old and a 15 year old is massive. If that 13 year old doesnt know how to take a hit hes going to killed. Even if its just along the boards. I think it will cause a generation of kids who skate with their heads down and turn their backs because they never had to face contact.
If a parent is worried about injuries caused by contact, why wouldnt you just put them in rec where no contact is allowed?