Frost got boarded by some Predators player. The penalty shouldnāt have been a major and game misconduct imo, but thatās what was called. I was watching a video on YT the other day that highlighted how younger players just arenāt used to the contact in the NHL. Take Luke Hughes of the Devils who had gotten lit up several times this year already. Heās going into the boards not bracing himself for contact at all.
I remember watching the NCAA tournament last season and thinking how little contact there was for college hockey. Iām not looking for Scott Stevens style lining guys up to intimidate other players, but knocking them off the puck, sure.
My son plays 14U now and a few players make contact sometimes, but thereās not much difference between non-contact 12U. 3 years ago, USA Hockey (who governs college and youth hockey) made the initiative that checking was to separate the player from the puck and not to punish or intimidate. Thereās no more finishing your check. Iāve seen some really ticky tack roughing calls based on the player hitting while not attempting to play the puck, but only trying to knock the other player off the puck.
The lack of initiating or taking contact from younger players is going to get more prevalent. Kids in 16U these days only know this way of play. Iām not sure how this will effect the AHL. Kids may spend more time there learning NHL way, leaving less room for veteran depth or projects.
