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Is girls' hockey too rough?

By Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

For many years, people in the hockey world have thought of girls’ hockey as the “gentler” version of boys’ hockey. This is largely due to the fact that there is no full body checking in the female game and we don’t condone fighting either. However, with those two factors taken out, the games are remarkably similar. We have to look no further than the injury rates in both sports – which are statistically very similar – to know that the physical side of the game is both present and potentially dangerous to the sport.

As the girls participating in the female game become bigger, faster and stronger, the rate of injuries from collisions and contact will continue to grow. We’ve seen this in the male game, and it is certainly no different on the female side. However, I actually believe that players in the female game sustain a higher rate of injury from contact for two major reasons.

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This week's cover - January 26, 2012 PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:27

Click the image above for a PDF of this week's cover.

 
Olympic hockey is the skill development model PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:23

By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

An e-mail from a 16-year-old defenseman who is playing in Austria for Team USA said virtually the same thing after the Russian game that I’ve heard for 40 years. The international game is really different … and a lot of fun. The Russian skills (individual and team skills) are so good it feels like they have eight players on the ice.

Why is international hockey so different?  Because the officials call the game as it is written in the rulebook. Hockey Canada prepares their national junior and Olympic teams for international play by showing a video of ‘strange calls’ made by referees. These are penalties as clearly defined in the rules, but infractions that are not called in North American hockey.

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The roots of our problem in hockey PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:19

By Keith Hendrickson

The terrible and tragic incident of Jack Jablonski’s hockey injury has quickly opened up many eyes to what our game has grown into over the past 10 years or so. Some of us who have been involved in hockey for decades have discussed and tried to address the growing violence in our game.

Last week, the Minnesota State High School League was allowed to immediately add more severe punishment for three violent offenses: hitting from behind, boarding and head contact. The intent here is obviously good, but we must not fool ourselves and think more severe rules are the only answer. To think that would only do a disservice to what has happened and decrease our chances to actually address the roots of these violent problems.

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:23
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Coaches, referees responsible for safety on ice PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:18

By Hal Tearse
Minnesota Hockey Coach in Chief

Player safety is a joint responsibility to be shared by coaches and referees alike. The coaches and referees can make a difference when they work together to reduce injuries to children who play hockey.

Our guideline is the rulebook because it defines how we play the game and what the penalties should be for violating the rules. When the on-ice officials allow for too many “let them play” waivers in the rulebook, youth players learn that high hits, head contact and very aggressive and potentially harmful play is OK. If one team adopts that strategy, then other teams they play will respond in kind.

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Seven characteristics of elite defensemen PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:13

By John Russo
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Each year (for 25 years), I have had a Guest Writer for the “Coaches Corner” – to provide a new and fresh view from an outstanding young coach.

A Wayzata native, Judd Stevens starred at Wayzata High School where he earned All-Conference, All-Metro, and All-State honors and was a Mr. Hockey finalist in his (2001) senior year. He went on to be part of two national championships for the University of Minnesota, and was captain in 2004-05. He was Academic All-Big Ten and Academic All-WCHA in 2003-20, then went on to play pro hockey in Sweden.

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Do I need an agent or family advisor? PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:12

By Chris Pryor
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

This is a question that probably will put me in unfavorable territory with some agents/advisors. I do believe at a certain point in time in one’s career the need for an advisor becomes apparent. However, when a player is 14, 15 years old, to have a person represent you becomes questionable for me.

I’m not sure what decision can’t be handled by a parent , coach or friend at that age that an agent needs to be involved. There are many quality individuals in Minnesota that do a good job of handling this area of expertise and I’m not proposing that they do not serve a purpose, BUT at what point in time?

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:17
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Should fighting continue to be allowed in the NHL?
 
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