Hockey Canada made a bold move today to help improve the health and safety of the game for kids.
The organization voted to eliminate bodychecking at the peewee level. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, each province voted in support of the measure except for Saskatchewan. Peewee hockey is played by 11-and-12 year-olds. It’s a big step and one that looks bold but makes a lot of sense.
The move comes two years after USA Hockey and Quebec amateur hockey each have done the same with their youth hockey programs. The aim here is obvious as they want to protect kids from concussions and other debilitating injuries for kids.
Dreger also shares that they will begin a program to teach the proper ways to bodycheck once players get out of peewee hockey starting in 2014-2015.