Body checking Ban for Pee-Wees

A few months ago Hockey Canada passed a ban on body checking at Pee-Wee level in junior hockey. I’m all for safety and keeping player’s heads screwed on but body checking is one of the many physical aspects of the game and there’s no better place to learn and experience it than at Pee Wee level where the size difference between players isn't too great as it can be at Midget or even Bantam.

I believe it would be better to teach kids how to check properly rather than ban it and then they’ll go crazy when they reach Bantam. One has to also consider these kids will be watching hard checking hockey every night on TV, it’s a display of physicality, it gives the game energy and entertainment. To remove it I don’t think was a good move.

Anyone else agree/disagree?

Definitely telling them how to check their own is a great idea

Well, you have to take in to consideration that these kids could get seriously hurt. We wouldn't want that now Would we?

i think it's a bad move. It comes down to the coaching, and you have to learn at some point if you want to play competitively and the sooner the better. Looking back to the Chara/Pacioretty incident I can see why it has put a lot of kids off hockey, but the physicality brings the game alive, especially during the play-offs.

Yeah I guess so.