Kids Can Play Hockey
Hockey is the same as any other sport, because in all sports there will be injuries. That is a fact I can tell you about all sports. I know a lot of moms go toward soccer, but the only differences between hockey and soccer are: hockey is faster than soccer, it's on ice instead of a field, hockey pucks instead of soccer balls, skates instead of cleats, and sticks instead of feet ( "World Book," 2016 para.1).
In some sports the rules are being changed to protect players from injuries. Hockey is one of them. For instance the USA Hockey Rule Book states that you're not allowed to check ( check means to hit ) until you're 13 years old ( "USA Hockey Rule Book," 2013 rule 604). I asked my dad when they started hitting in football and he replied" many years before I was 13. I noticed, in some of my games, even though it is not a penalty if it could lead to an accident or a fight the refs will give he/she a penalty. Not just in youth hockey are they changing the rules, but also in the NHL ( National Hockey League). For example they added a rule a few years that removed head shots ( a head shot is when the checker targets the head instead of the chest) to prevent concussions ( National Hockey League Official Rules l, 2015). I have noticed, in some pro rinks I have played in, where the glass ends they have reconstructed it so the corners are rounded. This will prevent head and neck injuries, because when you run into a corner you stop, but if you round them you just keep going and you'll fall.
In my opinion the hockey equipment is getting a lot better. The companies seem like they are trying to protect the player's body from the puck because they are making the equipment harder. Just when you thought checking was the most dangerous thing in hockey, think again. It's actually shot blocking ( shot blocking is when a person puts his body infront of the puck and it hits him), but shot blocking is optional in hockey. Checking I think is one of the less dangerous things in hockey, because my coaches told me the boards are designed to absorb the energy of the impact to go back onto the checker. The equipment also helps with the impact. When replacing my equipment im the last tear I have noticed a huge jump in safety improvements. For example, they are making the equipment harder but more comfortable, and if your son/daughter complains about lack of protection you can buy extra equipment to put under the other equipment ( the types of equipment are: jock, shin pads, hockey pants, skates, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and a helmet).
Now you're probably thinking this proves nothing that my son/daughter will not get hurt while playing hockey.
No it doesn't. In any sport your son/daughter is not completely safe from getting injured. Here are some facts from the USA Hockey website that shows your son/daughter will be fine playing hockey.
Injuries per 1,000 hours playing hockey
7-8 year olds (Mites) 0.8
9-10 years old (Squirt) 0.6
11-12 years old (Pee Wee) 3.8
13-14 years old (Bantam) 3.0
14-18 years old (High School) 9.3
16-20 years old (Junior A) 96.1
("USA Hockey Website", 2013)
(If your team plays 40 minute games that doesn't mean that it counts as part of the 1,000 hours. Now if you play 40 minute games and if you play 10 minutes of that game then those 10 minutes counts for the 1,000).
Hockey is like any other sport, because all of the sports I have played in I have had a risk for injury. Hockey is like soccer in some ways. exept hockey is faster than soccer, it's on ice instead of a field, it uses pucks instead of balls, skates instead of cleats, and sticks instead of feet. The pro leagues are reconstructing rinks, putting more rules in place, and manufacturing better equipment to prevent injuries. Youth hockey ( USA Hockey) is focusing on improving rules focused on safety and manufacturing better equipment to prevent injuries. Now I hope you go right now and sign your child up for hockey.
Kay, Jason,"Hockey", World Book Student, World Book, 2016.
National Hockey League Official Rules 2015-2016. Toronto: L.P. c NHL 2015.
The Official Rules of Ice Hockey. Colorado Springs: USA Hockey Inc.,2013.