They are not Sidney Crosby or Bob Probert. Crosby is out of NHL play with a concussion; last week Probert’s posthumous brain scan showed the devastating effect of head blows.
You won’t see Calgary’s minor hockey players, who crumple to the ice, head injured. They aren’t newsmakers, just casualties to one idea of hockey.
Alberta allows body checking at 11 years old, Grade 6. (Girls hockey and rec leagues don’t.)
Body checking is supposed to “separate the player from the puck.” But it’s often used to intimidate, to hurt, retaliate. Checking (or hitting) is the cause of most injuries in minor hockey.
U of C’s Carolyn Emery found Alberta’s peewee hockey players (11- and 12-year-olds) sustain three times more injuries, including concussions, than a province without checking at that age.
The developing brain is fragile, and a kid concussed is at risk for learning disabilities and psychiatric problems, Dr. Michael Cusimano and Anthony Marchie argue in an essay that can be found on the website of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. They found serious football injuries to be one half those of hockey.
Researcher Michel-Andre Roy notes that the size difference for teens 13 to 15 is greater than at any other time in their lives. Small players are at greater risk. So medical advice is to eliminate body checking or to delay it until later.
Referees also sustain most injuries from body checking. They get caught in a check or scrum near the boards, with no padding. There’s no systematic recording of minor hockey injuries to players – or referees – in Calgary. Unless there’s an insurance claim.
Minor hockey playoffs are underway in Calgary this week.
Hockey Calgary’s head referee watched my son’s game. The opposing team had concussed numerous kids the game before. It happened again: a talented Grade 6 child moaning and writhing on the ice with a concussion. It was a clean hit, no penalty.
Sure, there’s the tired party line. Kids should learn to check earlier, it’s all about education, better recognition of head injuries, more diligent refereeing.
Secretly, I like watching body checking (adrenalin rush!); my son likes the full-contact game.
But entertainment and pleasure can’t decide this one. Hockey authorities need to make the right call for the kids.
Getting hurt isn’t fun.
