The level of sanctioned violence that ought to be permitted in hockey is a polarizing debate.
There's no denying anymore that the speed and weight of a modern player are capable of delivering a concussion that can end another player's career and leave him or her with lifelong brain damage. But attempts to reduce the speed of the game, or the level of contact permitted, threaten to rob the game of its rough-and-tumble soul, which is itself a part of the Canadian psyche.
The Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association stepped into this head versus heart argument this week, banning bodychecking in all of its house contests, while leaving the old contact rules intact for the premier players involved at the rep level.
This might look like a hesitant half-measure at first, but it actually makes an awful lot of sense. Unless the professional leagues ban bodychecking, aspiring young pros need to train and prepare for it. They also need a chance to stop and consider if the promise of fame and fortune is worth the risk.
But there are many young people who are passionate for the game without having any intention of earning a living from it. Staying active, being part of a team, and living through both victory and defeat are life lessons that transcend hockey. These youth deserve an opportunity to play without having to put their futures on the line.
So we bang our sticks on the boards for the PCAHA for making a decision so sensible that it could have been made years ago.
