The question of when to introduce young players to bodychecking in hockey has long been the subject of heated debate in arenas across the country and according to a new study the age that young players start to have contact has a negligible effect on their chances of injury.
The findings were published in the latest edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal and are the results of research from the University of Calgary, Laval University, the Jewish General Hospital, McGill University and the Alberta Children's Hospital.
The study showed that previous experience with bodychecking at the Peewee level decreases the risk of more serious injury among Bantam league players. But, the study cautions that this decreased risk may come at the cost of increased injuries at a younger age.
The study's findings are based on data samples from nearly 1000, 12- and 13-year old Bantam league players in Alberta who had already been bodychecking for two years at the Peewee level, and another similarly sized sample of Quebec Bantam players with no prior bodychecking experience.
The numbers showed that out of 995 Alberta players, 272 suffered injuries and 51 had concussions. Conversely, the 976 players in Quebec racked up 244 injuries and 49 concussions.
The study determined that starting bodychecking at a younger age does give older players an advantage in avoiding extremely serious injury which last longer than a week but not in the overall number of injuries or concussions
In addition, when the combined population of Peewee and Bantam players was examined, players in Alberta suffered far more injuries than players in Quebec.
The researchers say this latest study must be considered together with the results of their earlier research, which found that players who start bodychecking at an earlier age are three times more likely to get hurt than their counterparts in non-contact leagues.
"These findings need to be interpreted in light of previous evidence of more than a threefold increased risk of concussion and all injury among players aged 11–12 years in a league where bodychecking is permitted," the study's principal researcher, University of Calgary sport epidemiologist Dr. Carolyn Emery wrote.
A growing body of research has linked between 45 and 85 percent of hockey-related injuries to bodychecking, including a study published last year that found youngsters allowed to check their opponents were not only more than twice as likely to get injured, they were more likely to suffer concussions.
Hockey officials have been tightening body-contact rules at various levels of the game as more evidence points to the potentially long-lasting effects of those injuries.
Hockey Canada has announced tough, new, zero-tolerance rules against hits to the head, for example, covering players at all levels from minor through junior and senior ranks.
The Ontario Hockey Federation declared a ban on bodychecking among recreational players from the age of 6 all the way up to 21 years old.
The study was published on Monday and the authors suggest all factors need to be considered to decide when is the right time to teach young players how to hit and be hit.
Calgarian, Alex Lane is a Bantam hockey player and has suffered three concussions.
His parents still allow him to play, but with a great deal of reluctance.
His father, Darren says he would like to see a lot more recreation style hockey for kids with no bodychecking.
"I think we should have bodychecking but only at the very elite levels. I think there should be more hockey where kids play Peewee and Bantam at a competitive level without having to hit," said Darren Lane.
Hockey Calgary is considering a ban of bodychecking at the Peewee level.
(With Files from ctv.ca)
