Body Checking - Fast Facts

Body Checking Fast Facts

• Body Checking is the single most consistent risk factor for injury to minor hockey players
• Body Checking is associated with between 45 and 86 per cent of injuries in minor Hockey 
• Kids who body check at the pee wee level are three times more likely to suffer from a concussion or major injury
• Deferring body checking to Bantam will allow for further focus on skill development at the Pee Wee level rather than players skating around trying to deliver body checks, or avoid body checks.
• The introduction of body checking at any age will increase injuries
• The evidence speaks to concussions occurring in higher levels of pee wee, (divisions 1-3) not lower ones. Making the decision to keep it in higher levels would be counter intuitive to the evidence
• Concussions are especially damaging to younger children and could have a longer term affect on their health than those who might become concussed later in life
• Skill level development actually goes up when body checking is removed. Hockey USA has revealed their own study that showed kids learn and practice better fundamental skills when hitting is removed from the category. There is less intimidation in the game and more room to work on hockey skills.
• Pee Wee players who wish to play at the elite level will not be affected, they will still be taught the fundamentals of body checking in practices which will prepare them for the future. 
• According to Dr. Caroyln Emery’s Findings, Pee Wee Players make up 60 per cent of concussion cases in Hockey, compared to 30 per cent in Bantam and Midget.

Other Facts

• Currently there are 1,190 pee wee kids registered with Hockey Calgary 
• Hockey Calgary has 13,200 registered hockey players
• Hockey Calgary is the largest minor hockey associations in Alberta

More information about body checking