With the recent death of minor hockey coach Ron Ebbesen, Alberta's Strathmore Minor Hockey Association has enacted a mandatory helmet policy for coaches.
Ebbesen died Oct. 21, two weeks after falling on the ice at practice and hitting his head.
With the new regulations, anyone involved with coaching a minor hockey team, from initiation to midget, must wear a helmet while on the ice. Coaches who refuse to wear a helmet will "not be permitted on the ice for any sessions," states the association's website.
SMHA board member Wayne Hansen said the policy is a simple step that can be taken to prevent future accidents on the ice.
"We saw the impact that having an injury of this sort had, not only on the family, and of course, Ron, but on all the kids on the ice at the time. It just takes a freak accident for there to be a lasting mental impression that will stay with these kids for the rest of their lives," he said.
Hansen added that he hopes Hockey Canada will adopt a similar helmet policy so that all minor hockey associations will have to enforce the rule. He points out that another coach in Medicine Hat, Alta., also recently fell on the ice without a helmet and suffered major head injuries.
"...Hockey Canada mandates the safety of kids -- what equipment to wear, the rules to follow, and so on. I would like to see them get involved and not just leave it up to small little boards in towns across the country [to enfore the helmet policy]," he said.
Hansen said the Strathmore association would bring its concerns to Hockey Alberta and hopes the message will be communicated to Hockey Canada.
Strathmore is not the first hockey club to draft new regulations. Shortly after Ebbesen's death, B.C. Hockey instituted a policy that requires coaches to wear helmets while on the ice. Minor hockey associations in the Yukon will also have to abide by the B.C. decision.
Last Saturday, Ebbesen's AAA midget team had its first home game since the 59-year-old's death. They held a moment of silence in his honour and dedicated this year's season to the coach, who was involved with minor hockey for more than 25 years.
