Memo Re: HC Head Contact Rule

MEMORANDUM

September 26, 2011

TO:                 BC Hockey Minor Associations

FROM:            Lochie Bell, BC Hockey Safety and risk Management Committee Chair

COPY:            BC Hockey Branch Program Coordinators

SUBJECT:     Safety and Respect – Team Pre Season meetings

This memo outlines an important initiative in regards to the new zero tolerance rule to any contact above the shoulders.

Hockey Canada has produced a format for a pre-season team meeting in respect to this initiative complete with resources that may be used for clarity. Please give this information the widest possible coverage and encourage all teams to understand and embrace the concept of the new head contact rule.

The new head contact rule was approved at the 2011 Hockey Canada Annual General meeting. Along with the changes effective teaching tools are being developed to teach young players that any contact to the head area is not acceptable.  It is hopeful that by engraining these values and habits into players at a young age, it will lead to it filtering throughout their entire playing career.

BC Hockey is dedicated to providing a safe and fun hockey environment for everyone. These rule changes will help young players and parents see the game of hockey as fast, fun and exciting, and not one that will result in injury.  Our job as leaders in hockey is to support the officials in making the call, as well as educate all participants and supporters for the future of our sport.

A number of resources to better understand the head contact rule change have been made available through the www.hockeycanada.ca/headcontactrule website.  Resources include videos, coach tools to support pre-season parent and team meetings, and concussion resources including responsible “return to play guidelines”.

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