Hockey Alberta says come the start of the 2013-14 season, body checking will not be allowed at the peewee level in Alberta minor hockey. It decided to eliminate checking for players under 13 years for safety reasons. The Lethbridge minor hockey association says it’s standing by hockey Alberta’s decision.”If there is any way to improve the game we are all for it,” says Ken Hitchcock the GM of Lethbridge Minor Hockey. “The medical studies that they have done on children. It’s advantageous. We support Alberta hockey in anything they do.They are the governing body of us. If they feel comfortable that they have all the info then we are comfortable with that.”
According to Dr. Robert Sutherland, a neuroscience researcher at the University of Lethbridge there is over whelming evidence that body checking is the single most consistent risk factor for concussions in youth ice hockey.”What the evidence is showing of you look at research in Europe that age group 13 and under are more vulnerable to concussion effects,” says Sutherland. “It has a longer lasting effect then it does on adults or later in the teens. I think Alberta hockey should be commended for taking research serious with the objections from hockey fans
Keith Hitchcock says the changes will definitely impact the dynamics of the game. Hitchcock believes Alberta hockey could be setting a precedent for the sport and believes this could become a national movement. “I’m old school I never thought it would happen , but the studies are overwhelming and they have to make adjustments,” says Hitchcock. “Anytime we can take a brain injury out then you have to do it.”
Comments