Paul Stewart: The Hitting Game: Players Need Better Coaching

I believe another problem in youth hockey in the US, maybe just michigan as I'm not sure about other states youth programs, is increasing the age at which body checking becomes legal. when I played I thought it should start younger and since then they have raised the age. This decreases the amount of time in which one could learn/teach how to protect yourself or to throw proper checks, if even taught at all. Either way I believe there are still going to be players, even teams, that look to just run people.

I believe another problem in youth hockey in the US, maybe just michigan as I'm not sure about other states youth programs, is increasing the age at which body checking becomes legal. when I played I thought it should start younger and since then they have raised the age. This decreases the amount of time in which one could learn/teach how to protect yourself or to throw proper checks, if even taught at all. Either way I believe there are still going to be players, even teams, that look to just run people.
- Zmloste

Hockey Calgary is gearing up to debate on removing it from B-level Bantam and Midget. Apparently their solution is to put bodychecking behind a pay wall (if your parents can't afford and if you aren't good enough for AAA hockey, no hitting for you!), and just stick their fingers in their ears and scream LALALALALALA for the other 95% of players.

Bodychecking should be legal in Atom. Let kids learn how to deliver and take a hit while they're still too small to do any damage to each other.

Thanks Paul. I have a few suggestions to add to the discussion.
One, quit having players protect the puck with their backs to the center of the ice.
Two, quit having players hit with their arms extended, and their sticks out. Have them use their shoulders, backs, chest (with arms down), or whatever.
Three, maybe have a blue line around the rink about 6 feet from the boards as a warning to those wanting to make a hit; hey this might be a dangerous area to make a hit.
Four, reduce the padding under the jerseys. This will cause the hitters to feel some of the impact, and even risk injury themselves. Thus, they would think twice before lowering the "boom."
Five, start fining the players large amounts. Many folks understand things better when you start taking away their money. I don't mean small fines, I mean large fines such as $20K for the first violation, $50K for the second, and $100K for the third (in addition, to taking away their ice time).
Now this also brings up the discussion of advancements made in equipment. For example, helmets (padding, and face cages), neck braces (like linebackers wear in the NFL), etc. Have you seen any great strides made in this area?

Stewy, what are your thoughts on the playoff assignments for officials?

I really cannot believe that Hebert, who seems like quite a good official, can't make the cut. Or Tom Kowal? For me, he's one of the better referees in the game today.

Then you've got Steve Kozari, who seems to consistently make bad calls, who somehow makes the list. Even a guy like Peel is better than Kozari. I really don't get it. Are the playoff assignments still that political?

Are the playoff assignments still that political?
- niedermayer27

Yes

Yes
- Paul Stewart

It's really a huge shame, as it means that some of the better officials miss out on doing big games. I guess the old boys club is still well and truly alive in the NHL.