An Alberta teenager has started a petition calling on Hockey Edmonton to re-evaluate bodychecking bans for young players.
Jarrod Sokul, who has been playing hockey for most of his life, says he is against the ban and knows “many, many” other people who also disagree with it.
Sokul’s change.org petition says that “players need to learn how to body check properly from a young age, instead of it being thrown into the game once players reach a certain age.”
Learning how to perform a legal bodycheck early on will help prevent injuries in the long run, the petition argues.
For most players, bodychecking is “excitement,” Sokul told CTV Edmonton. “It’s being able to play as the pros play.”
Last spring, Hockey Edmonton banned bodychecking in nearly all bantam (ages 13 and 14) and midget (ages 15 to 17) categories, except for some top-tiered teams. The ban is effective for the 2016-17 hockey season.
At the time, Hockey Edmonton officials said the ban was about “protecting the kids.” Similar bans are in place at many other provincial and regional hockey leagues across Canada.
In 2013, Hockey Canada banned bodychecking in Pee Wee programs across the country, which involve 11-and 12-year-old players.
Sokul said he still believes the bodycheck ban at bantam and midget levels is wrong, and will only create disadvantages for young players.
“Maybe you're not the best player, but you still want to compete,” he said.
So far, Sokul’s petition has garnered 46 signatures. He’s confident that once hockey season is back in full swing, he will find more supporters.
With a report from CTV Edmonton
