In April, Hockey Alberta announced its intention to support non-body checking initiatives in Bantam and Midget divisions across Alberta.
Since then, 10 associations have indicated they will offer either leagues, divisions, or tiers that are non-body checking:
- Edmonton
- Strathcona
- Cochrane
- Grande Prairie
- Calgary
- Fort McMurray
- Canmore
- Sherwood Park
- Airdrie
- Okotoks
In addition, a number of associations have indicated plans to schedule non-body checking exhibition games.
Hockey Alberta is also making the necessary changes to its permits and sanctions site, where associations can now request a sanction to host a non-body checking hockey tournament.
The process to sanction a non-body checking tournament is the same as usual, however an additional drop-down menu will appear when either Bantam or Midget is selected, offering a selection of either Bantam non-body checking or Midget non-body checking.
Hockey Alberta will continue to work with participating associations throughout the 2015-2016 season to track and share the progress of this initiative, with an overall summary report to be compiled at the end of the season, including the results of a satisfaction survey.
