Abstract
Intense debate continues to surround the optimal age to integrate body checking in youth ice hockey, particularly following Hockey Canada’s landmark decision in May 2013, to increase the minimum age for body checking in competitive male hockey leagues from 11 to 13. While extensive research suggests body checking is associated with heightened injury rates (e.g., Emery et al., 2010; Warsh et al., 2009), little research has focused on the psychological and social risks of body checking among youth players. The purpose of this study was to understand young hockey players’ initial experiences with body checking, through the lens of psychosocial development. Thirty-four male Peewee (age 11-12) hockey players from nine competitive (representative) teams in southern Ontario, Canada engaged in semi-structured interviews at the beginning and conclusion of their 2011-2012 season. A phenomenological approach was used in the collection and analysis of data (Moustakas, 1990), offering textural and structural descriptions of how participants experienced body checking. Results emerged in four key categories: (a) new reality of injury, (b) aggression, power, invincibility, and fear, (c) coaches’ roles and (d) parents’ influences. Findings are discussed in the context of the complex power dynamics that exist within the ‘new’ game (i.e., which includes body checking) and the need to look beyond the prevalence of physical injuries resulting from body checking. Future research is recommended focusing on assuring optimal developmental experiences for youth, particularly in light of changing policies.Acknowledgments: Support for this project was given by doctoral and standard research grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Sport Canada Research Initiative).