PLEASE ACT NOW! REMOVE BODY CHECKING FROM MINOR HOCKEY

Medical research shows that injuries, specifically concussions, can be greatly reduced by the elimination of body checking from minor hockey. FACT - The rate of injury is three times higher in leagues which permit body checking than leagues that do not.

The consequences of concussions are overwhelmingly negative on the developing brain; this has been scientifically proven over and over again by world renowned doctors and researchers. FACT - The “bobblehead” phenomenon extends until age 16 or whenever your child is full grown. This is the period in which a child’s head is disproportionately large relative to his/her body and therefore more vulnerable to whiplash and concussions.

Dr. Paul Echlin as quoted in The Toronto Star article Youth sports need ‘dramatic rule changes’ to stop concussion epidemic, doctors say by Diana Mehta
Sept 3/2014                                                                                                                                  “We really have to move on this now,” said Echlin. “There’s no helmets or mouth guards or safety devices that can change this, it is about a shift in the way that we allow our youth to play games.” “If you know what’s going on and you refuse to do anything major or significant about it, then you’re ethically wrong,” said Echlin.                                                                                                            

Since body-checking was removed from the Peewee age group (11-12 year olds) more than 13,000 injuries to youth in Canada per year have been avoided, including hundreds of catastrophic head, neck and back injuries. If similar rule changes are adopted in Bantam and Midget rep hockey leagues, the injuries avoided nationally could reach 30,000-40,000 in total.                                                                       Richmond News December 22, 2014

When will our hockey organizations listen and act?

We request that the Greater Toronto Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada provide a safe playing environment for our children.

"The main purpose of organized hockey for kids is to prepare them for life, and not for the NHL. The minds and bodies of kids and youths are not ready for body checking until age 16, at least. Until then, parents, coaches and leagues should concentrate on teaching them skills, respect, teamwork, responsibility and strategy.” Dr. Charles Tator PhD, MD Brain and Spine Surgeon

OUR CHILDREN'S BRAINS MATTER

Check out https://canadasafetycouncil.org/child-safety/hockey-our-most-dangerous-game