USA Hockey should just start a 'Powder Puff' no checking league as they think it would make the participation numbers swell. The problem will be most kids would never do it. Kind of like how popular would Flag Football be at the high school level...the stigma of being a wussy is too great at that age.

have you seen intramural flag football at most high schools. about half the school plays because it is fun and there is little chance of getting hurt. if USA hockey promoted the no checking league numbers would not fall off even remotely like they do now. that being said i agree that for the higher levels they need it and should have kept it at pee wee. I see many bantam players not knowing how to check and then play in HS and get crushed because they dont skate with their head up and/or dont expect to take a hit in the corner. I think that is more dangerous than what they are trying to prevent with the concussion issues.

"have you seen intramural flag football at most high schools"

Glad our high school isn't one of the 'most.'

your kids school must be real manly then. hope it works out for him.

Actually, not a bad idea but how about USA Hockey does the exact opposite and start a 'Goon Meathead' league so all the kids with size and/or little hockey skill and IQ can beat the sh*t out of each other. Their parents will feel good, the kids will still think they're playing hockey, and the players with real skill will actually get to play hockey and learn the tactics of checking in the way it was intended to be played. In fact, USA Hockey can make more money because I'd pay to watch two teams of all meatheads beat the shi*t out of each other, and you could be a coach!

already have it. its called "Midgets"