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Violence in Hockey and Its Effects on Children

Apr 24, 2011 | By Jeremi Davidson
Violence in Hockey and Its Effects on Children
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Hockey can be an enjoyable sport for children, as it allows them to work off their energy, compete and develop team-cooperation skills. A healthy sport, however, can become unhealthy when players are allowed hurt members of the opposing team. Hockey is a sport known for its level of violence as an adult game. If you want your child to participate in this sport, make sure the team you're considering has coaches who insist on healthy, nonviolent play and that you yourself model the qualities of good sportsmanship.

Professionals

Kids who love hockey can easily idolize the pros and try to emulate their behavior. Every hockey highlight package that you see on television features body checks, fights and injuries, which children could easily interpret as normal behavior for the sport, especially if you and the youth coaches do not teach otherwise. Coaches must step up and teach their very young team members how to play the right way. If you let your children watch the professional sport, watch it with him and talk to him about right and wrong behavior on the ice.

Violence in Youth Hockey

A report, "Eliminating Violence in Hockey," commissioned by British Columbia's minister of sports in 1999, found that youth hockey players feel pressure to fight. This attitude comes from a culture in which players accept violence as part of the game and feel the need to act this way to fit in. Forty-one percent of young players who answered a survey that was part of the study said they felt pressured by their opponents to fight or play rough. Eight percent said they felt pressured by coaches, and 10 percent said they felt pressured by parents or spectators. Seven percent said watching the pros had influenced them.

Criminal Charges

In recent years, violence from youth hockey has spilled into the courtroom. In 2011, a 17-year-old hockey player from Edmonton, Canada, was convicted of aggravated assault after he injured an opponent with his stick. The youth received a six-month conditional-discharge sentence and 50-hours of community service. Another incident in Ontario, Canada involved a 16-year old player, who was charged with assault after hitting an opponent with his stick. This incident left a 15-year old opponent unconscious on the ice with a severe concussion.

Injuries

Hockey is a risky sport if only because of the high speeds and physical nature of the competition. The extremely aggressive nature of the game makes it even more risky. Body checking is a big part of the professional game, and young players want to learn this skill. Thirty-eight to 65 percent of all hockey injuries come from body checks. Youth hockey, especially leagues for those under the age of 12, should not allow body checks, because of the potential for injury. Some leagues, however, allow it for players as young as 9. Once again, coaches and parents should take responsibility for teaching safe and sportsmanship play.

References

Article reviewed by Amy Richards Last updated on: Apr 24, 2011

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