Music: {allcanada} PEPLINSKI SEEKS YOUTH BODYCHECKING BAN

Friday, April 26, 2013

{allcanada} PEPLINSKI SEEKS YOUTH BODYCHECKING BAN

The Globe and Mail reports former Calgary Flames captain Jim Peplinski is calling for a nationwide ban on bodychecking until at least the age of 16 to curb the concussion rates plaguing hockey.

He said prohibiting hitting among youngsters could have the added benefit of helping turn around the trend of declining enrolment in minor hockey. Otherwise, Peplinski said during a sport concussions seminar at the University of Calgary this week, he's not optimistic about the future of Canada's national passion.

"On this path, I think we're going to become dinosaurs," he said.

Peplinski wants Hockey Canada, the national governing body for all levels of the sport except the professional leagues, to outlaw hitting across the country until players are between 16 and 18.

"I'd question whether I'd have kids in hockey as it's currently organized," said Peplinski, whose two sons gave up the sport at the midget level. "I don't think I would.

"The image, the money, it completely fogs people's judgments," he said, referring to parents and kids with their sights set on the NHL, or at least emulating it.

Peplinski shakes his head when he thinks about the politics involved in getting something that, at least to him, should so obviously be banned.

"It's a frigging quagmire," he said.