After months of research and debate Hockey PEI has decided to create a non-checking league for boys hockey.

'We do lose kids every year because of contact.'— Rob Newson, Hockey PEI

The change will cover Pee Wee to Midget levels, for boys aged 11 to 17. Starting this fall, each of the 20 Minor Hockey Associations on the Island will be allowed only one A-level team per age group that allows checking. The boys playing on lower caliber teams will have to play non-checking.

Jackson Reddin, who played Bantam A in Pownal last year, thinks non-checking leagues are a good idea. He likes checking, but he says the new league will give kids a chance to improve their skills rather than be bumped around on the ice.

"I've seen a lot of kids get hurt, whether it's a little sprain on the wrist or getting your head hurt," said Reddin.

"It's not really good for the game and it gives it a bad reputation."

Rob Newson, director of Hockey P.E.I., expects more boys will play under the new system.

"We do lose kids every year because of contact," said Newson.

"Some kids are small, some don't want to play at that level. And we heard enough from our membership that we had to take a serious look at it."

But Kris MacDonald, who teaches summer hockey camps, believes some boys will be disappointed when they no longer have the chance to play in a full-contact league.

"As far as cutting kids and making them play at that lower level, I don't think that's fair," said MacDonald.

"If they want to play at the checking level then they should be able to."

The new rules will be fully laid out at the Minor Hockey AGM Thursday night in Charlottetown.