Bodychecking remains a peewee-and-older program, new goaltending equipment rules won’t start until 2009, and the boys program for the Canada Winter Games becomes a U-16 program effective immediately.
Those were the resolutions adopted by Hockey Canada at it’s semi-annual meeting in Calgary in late November.
“There was a concensus that Atom is too young of an age level for bodychecking,” Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson said.
“We’ve got pilot programs going in Ontario and in Saskatchewan. But we’re trying to build an atmosphere of having fun in the game and then add technical elements to it as we go along.
“To teach bodychecking, you have to know about angles and contact. We just think that playing the game for fun is more important at youth levels.
“And so bodychecking will start with the Peewee age group.”
The Canadian Development Model, which is now in its third year, was reviewed.
“It’s doing what we want it to do and that is slow the movement of players upward through the system,” noted Nicholson.
“We’ll be sending out a questionnaire to all AAA midgets, junior A and Junior B, and major A juniors over the next month or so, seeking their input.
“But I think we’re seeing players playing the game at an appropriate level, and playing the game, rather than sitting in the stands. And that’s what we want.”
As well, delegates approved a one-year delay in the implementation of new goalie equipment.
“The manufacturers are making equipment according to the new rules,” Nicholson said.
“However, we want to give players and their parents as much use of current equipment as we can before the new rules take effect.
“Given the cost of goalie equipment, we want players to get full use and value for it before it has to be replaced.”
Finally, the Canada Winter Games program for boys will become an Under-16 team rather than the current U-17 program.
“We already have the world U-17 championship,” Nicholson said. “That program has proven to be very successful.
“We don’t want to suspend it every four years to take part in the Canada Winter Games. So we recommended the change to the Games board of directors and they have adopted it.”
The girls program for the Games remains a U-18 program.
NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM Canada’s candidates for the world junior hockey championships will be in Calgary Dec. 10-14.
Expect defenseman Karl Alzner to be at least one of the Calgary Hitmen invited to that camp.
The team competes at this year’s worlds in the Czech Republic starting on Boxing Day.
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