Capital Health - Safe Hockey

Welcome to Alberta Health Services - Edmonton Area's Safe Hockey website.

Our goal is to promote healthy physical activity in a safe hockey environment and to protect children and youth from serious injury. You will find information here that particularly addresses the issue of body checking since that is the main cause of injuries in minor hockey.
Did you know that almost all scientific evidence shows that body checking is the primary mechanism of injury in minor hockey players?

A recent Alberta Health Services - Edmonton Area study showed that the rate and severity of injuries doubled for 11 year old players exposed to body checking (playing at the Peewee level since 2002) compared to 11 year olds who were not exposed to body checking (playing at the Atom level before 2002). This study joins a growing body of evidence which indicates that injuries are higher in leagues which permit body checking.

These injuries are predictable and preventable. Alberta Health Services - Edmonton Area encourages minor hockey associations to consider the evidence and re-examine the age at which body checking is introduced in minor hockey.

New! Body Checking Poster (PDF)

New! Safe Hockey Tip: Did you know... proper coaching and training of body checking skills does not reduce the risk of injury? Inuries are not accidents – they are predictable and preventable. Learn more...

Visit our other websites:
Kidsafe Alberta
Safe ATV
Safe Teen Driving

Contact Us: kidsafe@albertahealthservices.ca