Too many concussions are occurring in youth hockey as a result of illegal checks that subsequently go unpunished and undeterred. Checking is illegal in girls hockey at all levels and in boys until they are a Bantam. The threat of injury is greater to a player being checked who is not expecting it because it is illegal. The New York Times reported that 30% of concussions in women's hockey were from illegal checks. More is being done to protect NFL players than youth hockey players.
Injuries from illegal checks can be reduced!
Current USA Hockey rules can be summarized as follows:
USA Hockey Official Playing rules have a minimum penalty of 2 + 10 for Head Contact, Checking From Behind, Boarding and Charging. Depending on the severity the referee has the discretion to call a 5 and 10 or 5 and game for these infractions. There is also rule 411 which provides for Progressive Suspensions for Repeat Offenders.
The rules give the referee broad interpretation of discipline for illegal checks but the rule falls short to address checks at levels where checking is illegal. Additionally, the current rules and referee enforcement are not acting as a deterrent to the minority of repeat offenders who are injuring defenseless players. The aggressor gets their 2 to 12 minutes of penalty time, while the victim is injured for weeks or longer - there are sadly too many examples in this regard. The sport is riddled with cheap shots and bad sportsmanship by players, coaches and parents.
This petition is to get grassroots support for USA hockey to not only toughen the penalties for checking in no-checking hockey but also retrain the referees to protect player safety and not player hooliganism.
Proposed rule changes include:
a. dangerous checks and checks from behind are an automatic 5 minute penalty, game misconduct, and 1 game suspension
b. Second offense is 3 game suspension
c. Third offense is remainder of season or minimum 10 games. A third infraction player starts next year on probation and subject to immediate second offense suspension.
d.These checks are an automatic call not open to interpretation and are not appealable. A subtle check and dangerous check are easy to distinguish between.
e. Retrain referees to make this call and not be afraid of it. They are the gatekeeper to safe and enjoyable play and that should be paramount.
f. Establish easy online system to report infraction and minimize paperwork. All coaches will have visibility to offenders.
Tougher rules and enforcement will deter players, encourage coaches to coach the game properly, and empower referees.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PETITION AND FORWARD TO ANYONE WHO LOVES YOUTH HOCKEY. THANK YOU
Updates
March 11, 2016
I have been hearing from parents across the state who are tired of seeing their children sidelined by avoidable head injuries. Send this link to your local hockey board representative and demand they enforce stricter penalties today. We need to stop the cycle of illegal hits before another player is hurt.
March 11, 2016
We just crossed a threshold that forces the league to pay attention to our demand for safer rinks. Post this link on your Facebook page today and email your local hockey director to ask what they are doing to enforce these penalties.
9 Comments
I wouldn't mind if hockey didn't have body checking. I've played adult hockey without body checking for 20+ years and it's still an amazing game. I worry about the kids.
I personally have watched a girl intentionally hit 3 players and not one was Called a penalty until, during a quiet stoppage of play I respectfully yelled for the reff to make the appropriate calls for body checking or someone will get hurt. The next hit by the same girl was called a penalty and subsequently the following hit was also called a penalty. She once again hit another player for her 3rd penalty of the game and her own coach sent her to the dressing room for the rest of the game. It is our duty as parents, reffs and coaches to do our best to keep the game fun and safe for our children.
It's about time something is done. I fully support this effort . The culture has to change. Only with real consequences for actions wil players learn. I have first hand experience ( as an Orthopaedic surgeon). I have seen catastrophic injuries from cheap shots at the non hitting level. USA hockey has to practice what they preach. The local leagues do little to change the culture
My daughter got her second concussion in two years from an illegal hit. Refs barely look at it. She is done playing if this keeps up. Ridiculous.
YES. The culture around this is so toxic. Seen way too many kids leaving the ice in tears because the refs are sleeping.
This is an epidemic which needs to be dealt with-please sign!
I agree.
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Too many concussions are occurring in youth hockey as a result of illegal checks that subsequently go unpunished and undeterred. Checking is illegal in girls hockey at all levels and in boys until they are a Bantam. The threat of injury is greater to a player being checked who is not expecting it because it is illegal. The New York Times reported that 30% of concussions in women's hockey were from illegal checks. More is being done to protect NFL players than youth hockey players.
Injuries from illegal checks can be reduced!
Current USA Hockey rules can be summarized as follows:
USA Hockey Official Playing rules have a minimum penalty of 2 + 10 for Head Contact, Checking From Behind, Boarding and Charging. Depending on the severity the referee has the discretion to call a 5 and 10 or 5 and game for these infractions. There is also rule 411 which provides for Progressive Suspensions for Repeat Offenders.
The rules give the referee broad interpretation of discipline for illegal checks but the rule falls short to address checks at levels where checking is illegal. Additionally, the current rules and referee enforcement are not acting as a deterrent to the minority of repeat offenders who are injuring defenseless players. The aggressor gets their 2 to 12 minutes of penalty time, while the victim is injured for weeks or longer - there are sadly too many examples in this regard. The sport is riddled with cheap shots and bad sportsmanship by players, coaches and parents.
This petition is to get grassroots support for USA hockey to not only toughen the penalties for checking in no-checking hockey but also retrain the referees to protect player safety and not player hooliganism.
Proposed rule changes include:
a. dangerous checks and checks from behind are an automatic 5 minute penalty, game misconduct, and 1 game suspension
b. Second offense is 3 game suspension
c. Third offense is remainder of season or minimum 10 games. A third infraction player starts next year on probation and subject to immediate second offense suspension.
d.These checks are an automatic call not open to interpretation and are not appealable. A subtle check and dangerous check are easy to distinguish between.
e. Retrain referees to make this call and not be afraid of it. They are the gatekeeper to safe and enjoyable play and that should be paramount.
f. Establish easy online system to report infraction and minimize paperwork. All coaches will have visibility to offenders.
Tougher rules and enforcement will deter players, encourage coaches to coach the game properly, and empower referees.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PETITION AND FORWARD TO ANYONE WHO LOVES YOUTH HOCKEY. THANK YOU
Updates
March 11, 2016
I have been hearing from parents across the state who are tired of seeing their children sidelined by avoidable head injuries. Send this link to your local hockey board representative and demand they enforce stricter penalties today. We need to stop the cycle of illegal hits before another player is hurt.
March 11, 2016
We just crossed a threshold that forces the league to pay attention to our demand for safer rinks. Post this link on your Facebook page today and email your local hockey director to ask what they are doing to enforce these penalties.
9 Comments
Son was out 4 weeks from a concussion due to an illegal check to the head which did not even warrant a penalty from the referee. Son has played since mites up to midget minor and I am strongly discouraging him to stop playing the game he loves. Just not worth it!
I wouldn't mind if hockey didn't have body checking. I've played adult hockey without body checking for 20+ years and it's still an amazing game. I worry about the kids.
I personally have watched a girl intentionally hit 3 players and not one was Called a penalty until, during a quiet stoppage of play I respectfully yelled for the reff to make the appropriate calls for body checking or someone will get hurt. The next hit by the same girl was called a penalty and subsequently the following hit was also called a penalty. She once again hit another player for her 3rd penalty of the game and her own coach sent her to the dressing room for the rest of the game. It is our duty as parents, reffs and coaches to do our best to keep the game fun and safe for our children.
It's about time something is done. I fully support this effort . The culture has to change. Only with real consequences for actions wil players learn. I have first hand experience ( as an Orthopaedic surgeon). I have seen catastrophic injuries from cheap shots at the non hitting level. USA hockey has to practice what they preach. The local leagues do little to change the culture
My daughter got her second concussion in two years from an illegal hit. Refs barely look at it. She is done playing if this keeps up. Ridiculous.
YES. The culture around this is so toxic. Seen way too many kids leaving the ice in tears because the refs are sleeping.
This is an epidemic which needs to be dealt with-please sign!
I agree.
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Son was out 4 weeks from a concussion due to an illegal check to the head which did not even warrant a penalty from the referee. Son has played since mites up to midget minor and I am strongly discouraging him to stop playing the game he loves. Just not worth it!