Reply To: Body Checking in Youth Hockey

[David Mitchell]

I totally agree Tom. I was thinking about it when I wrote the original post. I thought it made it in there, but apparently not. I also think its very important that the call NOT be “checking” call it a roughing or whatever. Otherwise you deal with the stick on body, feet off the ice, opponents head into the boards hit, then field complaints that “we are not playing pee wees anymore. Checking is legal.” Yes, I've actually heard stuff like this even before the rule change. Officials calling the game correctly is a very important way to effect the changes we'd all like to see, and in my opinion, the best way (obviously we also need to continue to educate coaches also). If it is ALWAYS called, it will quickly become obvious that a particular play is illegal. You'd think that this would be easy to correct, but some officials choose to call things the “old” way or to “just let them play.” Maybe some of them don't understand the new rule. I don't know, but it was a problem in my area last season. I actually had an official tell me “it is just amateur hockey!” in response to a no call on a dangerous hit. I'm sorry pal, but you are paid, that makes you a professional, and one that is tasked with helping eliminate some of the danger to our youngsters. Enough said.

Sorry to all you refs out there, and thank you for sharing your time. I will stop my rant now.

Dave

And thanks for the Book 2 Tom. 🙂