Bodychecking will be allowed in the Swedish Women's Hockey League next season, but it remains banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The pilot program for the 2022-23 season will allow certain types of hits, such as along the boards. One check that is not allowed is the open-ice hit.
We have tried to pursue the checking issue before but have not been heard of. It feels inspiring that we now make a decision for our own league and not only pave the way for Swedish women's hockey but for the entire women's hockey world.
The Zero Vision project aims to prevent concussions in Swedish hockey. The incidence of concussions has decreased over the past four seasons, despite an increase in physical play. Changes to how players interact on the ice are cited as factors.
In recent seasons, we have introduced more physical play with the goal of being able to check in in the SDHL.
Checking has been banned in women's hockey since 1992. A minor, major or match penalty can be given to any player who delivers a check. Body contact is allowed in pursuit of the puck, but players are not allowed to use the board to push her into the boards, or pin her along the boards. The actions show that there is no interest in gaining possession of the puck.
The coach of the Swedish women's national team told SVT that hitting will make for tougher players in international games. He said that he thinks we get more creativity in the game.
David Bergman said legalized checking will make it easier for referees to call games.
Damettan, Sweden's second-tier women's hockey league, will implement the pilot program.
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