Bodychecking: Hockey's collision path

It will be interesting to see how Hockey Canada rules this spring on the controversial issue of when to introduce bodychecking in minor hockey.
Clearly it is an emotional issue with folks on both sides putting forth valid arguments as to when bodychecking should be introduced to the minor hockey landscape.
At present, bodychecking is part of the game in the Ontario Hockey Federation starting at the minor atom level, or the age of nine. In other parts of Canada, bodychecking comes into play at the ages of 11 or 13.
Years ago, prior to the introduction of the current OHF three-year pilot project to determine the relationship between bodychecking and injuries, bodychecking was introduced to the game at the peewee levels.
The pilot project is now in its seventh season.
Even before that, though, kids grew up from the very early days of organized minor hockey with bodychecking not even questioned. It was simply accepted as part of the game.
Many parents whose kids lived through that period are sure to recall the early stages of a peewee season as being a version of hockey in which no puck was required as many players exerted their energies chasing opponents around the ice looking for a bodycheck.
Bodychecking can be used as an intimidating force. So can skating fast and shooting a puck at a high velocity.
Advocates argue it is a tool is taught in order to be used by players as a tactic to gain possession of the puck by taking the puck from an opponent. And isn’t the goal of hockey to possess the puck? Hey, the other team can’t score without the puck, right?
They argue, too, that learning this skill at an early age when children are similarly sized will best prepare players for later years when bodychecking is an accepted part of the game.
Opponents suggest minor hockey puts children at risk of injury in a game which is supposed to be safe and fun. They also point out only a small percentage of all children playing hockey will ever need to acquire the skill.
One thing ought to be cleared up once and for all. That is, the perception that the Ontario Hockey Federation is the fall guy in this issue.
The OHF, which governs much of minor hockey in Ontario, is not making the ultimate decision as to if, when and how bodychecking is introduced to the game. It is merely the vessel carrying the results of seven year’s of research to Hockey Canada.