This week I am going to take some time to touch on one of the most highly scrutinized and debatable decisions made over the past few weeks.
On May 8, Hockey Alberta made the decision to eliminate body contact from peewee level hockey. The exact same decision was made by Hockey Canada on May 25.
I, like many people throughout the country, have been hit with mixed feelings over this decision.
I have been out of minor hockey for quite some time now. So while this change doesn't directly impact me, it could have some overall consequences on the game of hockey.
Here's the thing. I am short.
Growing up, I was the smallest person in my age group; no matter what sport I played.
In hockey, my size had a huge impact on how I could play the game. When I hit the peewee and bantam ages groups I was faced with the challenge of lining up against players who were a foot (if not more) taller than me.
I played somewhat skittishly, sometimes not wanting to make a play knowing that I was going to get creamed (and I got drilled more than a few times).
My though is that once you get to peewee, you get to that age were kids start to develop at different rates. The height and weight of kids is all over the place and leads to a diverse playing field.
If you really want to be safe and make a decision for the safety of the kids all across Canada, then body contact should be eliminated from all levels of hockey. After all, we see NHL players being victims of huge hits and receiving concussions all the time.
Now we all know this would never happen, nor should it. Hockey is a physical game and those playing at a high level know what risks they are taking.
Here is what I propose: leave body-contact in peewee and beyond for those kids playing on the travel teams, the select teams, but eliminate checking from house league hockey.
Most kids know by the time they hit eleven-years-old whether they want to pursue hockey at an elite level or whether they are just looking to have some fun.
The players with the skill and talent deserve to be taught how to play with body contact at a young age. If they grow up learning how to hit they should benefit from it in the future. After all, hitting is part of the game.
Speaking for myself, I was just looking to have some fun. I know I had a lot more fun and played better hockey when I knew the player a foot taller and 40 pounds heavier than me wasn't going to plow me into the boards.
Hockey is supposed to be fun. Most kids that play the game won't make it to the NHL, they won't play junior hockey. So why put them at a risk? Let them have fun.
Those are my thoughts on the decision, but I'm interested in hearing what people around Bonnyville think. If you feel like it, send me an email [email protected]. If I get enough responses, I'll write a column about them next week.
