University of Calgary researchers say peewee body checking ban has had results
CALGARY — Researchers at the University of Calgary say ban on body checking in peewee hockey has led to a dramatic decline in concussions.
Hockey Canada voted in 2013 to do away with the practice for 11- and 12-year-old players.
Kinesiology professor Carolyn Emery, who chairs the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre at the university, says researchers followed players before and after the policy change.
They found there was a 64 per cent decline in concussions and a 50 per cent drop in overall injuries.