This is a little quiz for all of the “hockey experts” who sit in the stands “helping out” the referees with timely advice whenever an opponent comes close to their children on the ice. It is also for the “certified” coaches who think they know more about the rules than the officials and are quick to put on a demonstration for the fans when they disagree with a call. Finally, it is for all of the innocent minor hockey players who are always getting penalties for no reason at all.

Just for a moment, imagine that you could muster up enough raw courage to put on your skates, pull on a striped jersey and allow yourself to spend an hour and a half as a target of abuse for dozens of “responsible adults” who can’t wait for an opportunity to verbally assault you every time they disagree with one of your decisions. Under those conditions, what call would you have made in each of the two photos that accompany this article?

Think about it for a minute.

We had two members of the Valley East Rebels Tim Horton Minor Atoms take part in this demonstration. The player on the left is Kirk Vendramin, while his team mate receiving the punishment is Kyle Kaven.

The first photo is obviously an elbowing infraction and would clearly result in a 2-minute penalty, right? The photo on the left appears to be nothing more than a normal check into the boards since Kirk was using his shoulder, right?

Let it be known to all hockey people - young and old alike - that as of December 1, 2001, both of the actions of Kirk Vendramin will most likely result in a 2-minute minor and a game misconduct!

That’s right! Players Beware! Parents Be Aware! Coaches Start Shaking! The “Head-Checking” rule will come into force at all levels of minor hockey as of December 1. At the present moment, it is only being called at the Junior ‘A’ level where it has had a profound impact on improving the quality of play in that league.

All local minor hockey officials have been given very precise directions about their responsibilities with respect to the calling of the Head Checking penalty. Head Checking will be called every time, if, in the opinion of the referee, a player propels himself, or any part of his body, at the head of an opponent with the intent to make contact. Not with the intent to injure - merely with the intent to make contact. Let me repeat. If you are skating towards an opponent, you are in motion. If there is distance between you and your opponent and you must move towards that opponent, you are propelling yourself. If you propel your body or any part of your body - this means a shoulder, an arm, a hand, the side of your body, your hip, or any other part of your body - towards the head of an opponent and you make contact with the head, you will be called for head-checking.

According to Mr. Glen Campbell, Director of Officials for the N.O.H.A., “A shoulder to the head is head-checking. The old clean check to the head does not exist anymore. Referees discretion for the minor and game misconduct, major and game misconduct, or match penalty will be decided by the degree of contact. (The harder the contact, the greater the penalty) Supervisors must inform officials that head checking must be called. This infraction was introduced because players were being allowed to make contact in the head area with their gloves, forearms and shoulders with no call being made.”

The signal for a head check is an open hand to the side of the helmet. When you see that signal after December 1, you know the player is being given a game misconduct. What will be left to the discretion of the referee is whether to call it a 2-minute minor or a 5-minute major.

The purpose of this new rule is obviously to crack down on the increasing number of concussions which have been received by players in recent years. In the “old days” players had more respect for their opponents because they didn’t have face masks or helmets. Head checking was considered unsportsmanlike. Today, players think that because of the protection, they can hit the head at will. That will all end as of December 1.

The new rule is expected to be strictly enforced during the early weeks in order to bring home the severity of the infraction. At the present time, there are other rules which have created much confusion and misplaced anger among fans and coaches. One of the most misunderstood rules is the  “automatic 5-minute major and game misconduct for any cross check to the head area”. Another is the “hitting from behind” penalty. A third is the slashing to the hand area call. When you hit another player in the head with a cross-check, the referee has no choice but to give you a major penalty and a game misconduct. It is a dangerous act and you must be held accountable for your actions. No amount of complaining or yelling will change the fact that the referee must make the call.

The Head-Checking rule will no doubt upset many parents, players and coaches. Indeed, it may even result in the odd bench minor or game misconduct for some coaches. Nevertheless, the check to the head must be looked upon in the same manner as the hit from behind; the slash to the wrist; the cross check to the head and the slash in the back of the leg. These are all acts of cowardice and must be condemned if the sport of hockey is to survive. The faster we can get rid of the players who are only out to injure or instigate trouble, the sooner the game will once again be recognized as the greatest sport in the world. When the call is made on your child or your player, direct your anger appropriately. The referee is only enforcing the rules - he didn’t break them.