There have been some discussions threads in other groups on this topic and I would be interested in what this group thinks about it.
I am generally opposed to girls playing boys once they start checking for a variety of reasons including the possible size differences.
Girls teams playing boys teams
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, karl(east)
The U12 Ice Cougar Majors and the Ice Cats play in the Peewee A MASH league. Full checking. Girl teams against boy teams. Very fun to watch. The girls are very physical, play with their heads up, and are very competitive. May cause you to reconsider that viewpoint. In fact the Ice Cougars played the Ice Cats last week with full checking and it was an excellent game. Makes one wonder whether checking should be allowed in girls hockey...
I sometimes think that checking should be allowed in girls hockey just because it will teach girls to skate with their heads up. I see too many girls looking straight down at the puck and skating in a straight line until they lose the puck. If there was checking, we'd probably start losing significant numbers of girls from hockey, but the 1st year Peewees generally learn very quickly to skate with heads up.
Girls' Checking
I think at some point in time perhaps checking should at least be allowed in the defensive zone. Too many times a defensive person gets beat because they can't move the person off the puck.
The Cougars and Ice Cats are playing in a MASH checking league. The game between the two was very close and checking actually increased the excitement of the game. A couple of days later, the two team played two games without checking and the Cougars physically got the best of the Ice Cats on the ice because they were bigger and stronger. Although the games were won by the Ice Cats, each by a goal, the best games were when both teams could check.
The checking games with the boys is a completely different game. If the girls play a true PW A team they will not do too well, against a B/C team the girls have better skill but run the risk of getting hurt without good coaching from the boys team-meaning if the coach holds the kids back from running at the girls in frustration from being outplayed.
In general, I would support checking in the defensive zone for girls.
The Cougars and Ice Cats are playing in a MASH checking league. The game between the two was very close and checking actually increased the excitement of the game. A couple of days later, the two team played two games without checking and the Cougars physically got the best of the Ice Cats on the ice because they were bigger and stronger. Although the games were won by the Ice Cats, each by a goal, the best games were when both teams could check.
The checking games with the boys is a completely different game. If the girls play a true PW A team they will not do too well, against a B/C team the girls have better skill but run the risk of getting hurt without good coaching from the boys team-meaning if the coach holds the kids back from running at the girls in frustration from being outplayed.
In general, I would support checking in the defensive zone for girls.