thegerkin

Eliminating body checking at the peewee level will eliminate 400 concussions and more than 1,000 injuries for 11- and 12-year-olds each year in Alberta, says Hockey Alberta.

 

"There is overwhelming evidence that body checking is the single most consistent risk factor for injuries and concussions in youth ice hockey,” wrote board chair Rob Virgil in a statement Wednesday. “Our players’ safety is the foundation in making this decision,” he said. Hockey Calgary will implement the ban this fall.

Link

Thoughts? I think checking is an integral part of hockey. To remove it would further soften an already softening game. I'm all for the reduction of concussions/injuries, of course, but banning checking is a pretty big step.

Remember Red Wings draft pick Drew MacIntyre? Here he makes an awesome save:

http://sports.yahoo....-230648121.html

http://ca.sports.yah...-043040170.html

The Kemptville 73′s & Ottawa Jr. Senators needed 48 shootout attempts before the game winner on the 49th try. That's just messed up.