Norway Becomes Second Nation to Allow Body Checking In Girls’ and Women’s Hockey

The Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation (NIHF) has announced that body checking will be allowed in all girls’ and women’s leagues beginning next season.  Norway follows Nordic neighbor Sweden, which legalized body checking two seasons ago.  From U-14 and up, female players will now be allowed to hit, though open ice checks will remain forbidden.

NIHF President Tage Pettersen credited the efforts of Norway’s female players, young and old, with the adoption of the new rules. 

"I am proud of the engagement from many of the girls in our hockey family,” said Pettersen on the federation’s website.

“They have kept the discussion front and center, and that engagement has been rewarded with this step in the right direction. That Norway has become the second nation in the world to allow body checking for girls and women is a point of pride. This sends an important message: that Norway will take the lead and continue our quest to have the checking rules changed at the international level as well.”  

With Sweden and Norway allowing contact in their domestic leagues, and the PWHL embracing physicality, the IIHF could soon follow.  Fans of the women’s game can look forward to international competitions where the best athletes in the world are finally allowed to use their hard earned strength and power to their full advantage.