Dear Parents,

Oshawa N.A.S.C. Hockey has long been the leader in setting the standard to which others gauge their successes in hockey development.

Our Novice 4/5, Super Six and Super Novice hockey schools in combination with our power skating and goaltender instruction programs prove this.

We develop, others follow.

Oshawa N.A.S.C. Hockey will once again take the pioneer approach and re-write the standards in making the decision to modify our successful hockey program to remove body checking at all levels starting the 2009-2010 hockey season.

However, “No body checking” DOES NOT MEAN “NO Body Contact”!

The decision to modify our program occurred after a culmination of several months of diligent, dedicated and determined committee work. The executive has met with other active organizations to gather information and determine the feasibility of N.A.S.C. Hockey offering such a program.

The result of these discussions was an overwhelming positive response and an urgency to development this program. This innovative approach enforces N.A.S.C. Hockey's focus on player participation and player development by enabling young people and families to enjoy the game of hockey by removing the intimidation of body checking and focusing on the game itself.

The game of hockey is getting faster by the minute. Hockey has always been about speed and skill, and players’ abilities in both of those areas has completely skyrocketed in the last 10 years.

The recent rule changes, that eliminated all of the “clutching and grabbing” that plagued all levels of hockey for so many years, has only made being fast and skilled that much more of an advantage in the game. The game has not only gotten faster, but it has also become much more physical. We all know that with the introduction of no “body checking” into the game, that doesn’t mean that there is no ”body contact”.

Players and Coaches alike will be introduced to this new approach through on-ice seminars and education provided by the league. The reality is that the game is very aggressive and the injury rates are through the roof. The concussion rate in the game is on the rise significantly, which is particularly alarming as it is the direct result of kids being allowed open ice hitting or running people through the boards.

The game has been transformed over the past 10 years and the players have to follow suit if they are going to keep up with the speed and avoid getting hurt. House league hockey is supposed to be both COMPETITVE and FUN.

So let’s set the record straight on the most common myth about non-contact hockey.

Myth: With no body checking, stick violations increase and become more severe.

Anyone who has ever seen a girls’ hockey game knows that ‘no body checking’ does not mean ‘no body contact’. Sure, female players don’t need to worry about being able to deliver a big hit, but they sure need to be able to protect themselves from one. They’ve also got to be able to win battles in front of the net and win races to the puck. This is no different from the boys' game we play now.

Body Checking will still be offered in the "Falcons" select program.

Those teams will still play full contact from the peewee level and older given these teams compete in "AE and A" level tournaments and exhibitions.

Regards, Bob Babin
Chairman – Oshawa N.A.S.C. Hockey (on behalf of the N.A.S.C. Hockey Executive)

N.A.S.C. Hockey is proud to be the recipient of the 2008 Durham Parent Platinum Award.

 Voted the "#1 Hockey Association in Durham Region" by the readers of Durham Parent Magazine!
This is the second such award as N.A.S.C. Hockey was voted Gold in 2006 and Platinum in 2008!.