| As children all over the United States ready | | | | Enforcement of rules has been given priority one |
| themselves to play the best games of hockey around | | | | ranking in the standards that youth play hockey by. All |
| their local area, they are also reminded by their | | | | eyes will be trained on how youth are skating on the |
| coaches that grassroots hockey is played under | | | | ice and how they handle the puck when it is in their |
| different standards than the games that are played by | | | | possession. This rule enforcement standard will ensure |
| members of the National Hockey League. The rules of | | | | that all players are playing hockey according to the |
| the game are very similar to those that are adhered to | | | | rules of the game in every sense of the word. All |
| by the National Hockey League but certain standards | | | | youth hockey players will be scrutinized as to how |
| had to be changed to protect the innocent. | | | | they choose to use their body during all periods of play. |
| Clarifying these standards in terms where children can | | | | Other areas that will also be under scrutiny during a |
| understand them though has been rather difficult at | | | | youth hockey game will be how the player uses the |
| times. Some managers of grassroots hockey teams | | | | hockey stick. There are severe penalties awaiting an |
| have found that only by putting those standards to | | | | individual that participates in hooking, tripping, holding, or |
| paper will help aspiring hockey players learn the game | | | | causing any type of interference between themselves |
| correctly. When children are learning to play hockey, it | | | | and another player during a hockey game. Any use of |
| helps to be able to have a ready reference point to | | | | the stick is restricted to contact with the puck and |
| turn to so that they can remember the new standards | | | | other forms of contact with this piece of equipment will |
| and ensure that they are playing fairly no matter what | | | | be penalized. |
| time of the year the hockey game is being played. The | | | | With so many areas under scrutiny, parents are |
| standards for USA Hockey teams serve as a guide | | | | comforted by the fact that the new standards have |
| for youth hockey teams all across the United States. | | | | been put in to writing. Children cannot be expected to |
| USA Hockey teams train extensively throughout the | | | | remember so many especially when the action on the |
| year in hopes of winning a spot at the USA Hockey | | | | ice gets intense. While they are trying to remember to |
| National Championships. Five sites have been selected | | | | avoid contact with another hockey players head, and |
| to hold championship games for all USA Hockey youth, | | | | remembering not to check from behind or cross |
| includes championships for Girls' and Women teams. If | | | | checking, it will be a marvelous achievement if every |
| all of these groups follow the new standards then | | | | youth hockey player will actually be able to leave the |
| there is a good possibility that they will enjoy playing | | | | game without scoring any penalties. The hockey game |
| hockey competitively at a playing level that is meant to | | | | will be a safe game with these new standards. |
| offer them the best protection. | | | | |