Sports

State Hockey Organization Debating Youth Rule Changes

Photo: Pavlo Maydikov, Photos.com

Jun 22, 2012 at 8:55 am

MINNEAPOLIS (KNSI) - Strict new penalties instituted earlier this year protecting Minnesota youth hockey players from on-ice injuries could be changed back this weekend.

Minnesota Hockey, the organization that oversees 40,000 youth hockey players statewide, voted back in January to elevate the penalties for checking from behind and boarding.

Changes came in the wake of the December injury that left Benilde-St Margarets player Jack Jablonski paralyzed. But the group now says they'll vote this weekend whether to go back to the old rules.

Advocates of a return to old rules say coaches, players and referees got the message about the need for greater safety in the sport, and it's time to loosen those restrictions.