The Canadian Paediatric Society would like to see bodychecking in youth hockey eliminated at the peewee level, and also in non-competitive recreational leagues for all ages.

Dr. Kristin Houghton says the hope is that delaying bodychecking until a child becomes a teenager will reduce both injuries and concussions.

The CPS doesn’t have a problem with coaches teaching kids how to deliver or take a hit, but such moves should be removed from game action until the elite level.

Hockey Canada’s current policy recommends bodychecking be introduced in peewee leagues, but does allow the various governing bodies across the country to implement their own policies.

Hockey Calgary put the issue to a vote last summer, but because of competitive reasons it was voted down.  The logic behind the vote is that if a team competes in a tournament where other teams are allowed to take the body, that club would be at a disadvantage.

The issue is still being looked at and could be put to a vote again.

Calgary Sun Sports Columnist and Jack FM morning co-host, Eric Francis, applauds the call to action by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Francis says injuries and concussions often deter children from pursuing their hockey dreams later in life.

The President-elect of the Canadian Paediatric Society, Dr. Andrew Lynk, tells 660News say they recently compared injury research data in peewee hockey between Calgary and Montreal, only to find the numbers of injuries in Calgary were three times higher.

He also says kids who suffer a concussion at a young age, usually need more time to recover.