Former Calgary Flames captain Jim Peplinski, known best for his skills as a bruiser on the ice, is calling for a nationwide ban on bodychecking until at least the age of 16 to curb the concussion rates plaguing hockey.
The Stanley Cup winner, who played in 711 career NHL games, scoring 161 goals while picking up 1,467 minutes in penalties, said prohibiting hitting among youngsters could have the added benefit of helping turn around the trend of declining enrolment in minor hockey.
Otherwise, Peplinski said during a sport concussions seminar at the University of Calgary this week, he’s not optimistic about the future of Canada’s national passion.
“On this path, I think we’re going to become dinosaurs,” he said.