The documentary, it should be noted, was filmed in the United States where USA Hockey has allowed hitting to begin at the bantam level of hockey which would be for boys entering their 13th year of age (so technically still 12), 13 years-old, or 14 years-old. As you're probably well-aware, the difference in sizes for boys at that age can be enormous, and Messner's son, Grayson, is one of the smaller boys who will be starting bodychecking. Needless to say, there is a vested interest in this documentary by Michael Messner when it comes to exploring this topic.
I won't lie that there is a lot of information in 1st Year Checking. Facts hit you from every angle, if you'll excuse the pun, as to why hitting at the bantam level may be good or bad. One of the facts that stood out to me was that players are three times more likely to suffer a concussion in their first year of hitting than any other year. That stands out to me because concussions affecting the brains of 12 or 13 year-old players may lead to earlier problems in life when it comes to long-term effects on things like short-term memory and headaches.
We often see players who get checked hard in a game and struggle to get back to the bench, but the coach sends them back out after asking "Are you ok?" and the players answer yes because what else are they supposed to say? Mr. Messner recognizes this as he coaches Grayson and his teammates on the Pittsburgh Vengeance that he, too, fell into the same trap of taking a player's word or his parent's word over doing the sensible thing and having that player tested for a concussion. As Mr. Messner states in 1st Year Checking, "What I learned about myself as the year progressed is that I am your worst nightmare as a coach because when I'm taking your kid through his first year of checking, I see my main job as turning your player from a boy into a man at age 12 and 13."
That's not to suggest that Mr. Messner is a bad coach by any means. He enrolled Grayson into a hockey checking clinic so that Grayson could learn the nuances of delivering hits, receiving hits, and the reasons why checking is used in hockey. It appears several other teammates of Grayson also took hitting clinics to learn these lessons as well. It's one of the things that Mr. Messner stresses early on in 1st Year Checking - learning how to hit will allow players to overcome that fear of being hit, but it doesn't completely kill it as you'll see in the documentary.
That's what makes 1st Year Checking so riveting - the story is told through the experiences of Grayson and his teammates as they venture into their first of bodychecking. Mr. Messner asks about whether they are scared or nervous, and the boys try to put on brave face. They experience their first hits and, for some, their first injuries from hits. Mr. Messner asks them to be honest about their feelings, and it's pretty apparent that some are more ready than others when it comes to throwing and taking hits. Filming the documentary in this style makes it harder to ignore some of the messages built into the arc of the story.
What I like about 1st Year Checking is that Mr. Messner doesn't preach about his stance on hitting. He simply presents all the facts that one should consider when entering the first year of hitting in hockey. From the fear of being crushed against the boards to the injuries that come from hitting to the surging confidence of throwing a big hit, there is a range of emotions shown by Grayson in Mr. Messner's documentary and those emotions affect how he plays the game in each and every game.
The facts presented, though, can't be disputed. What Mr. Messner allows the viewer to do is to take note of the facts presented among the anecdotes about Grayson and his team, and the viewer can decide for him or herself whether the risk of bodychecking at the bantam level is acceptable. Mr. Messner never once says "this is wrong" in his film; rather, he weaves the good and the bad about bodychecking at the 12 year-old level while adding expert testimonials, and it's up to the viewer to judge for one's self.
Overall, I really enjoyed Mr. Messner's presentation of the facts while following Grayson's and the Pittsburgh Vengeance's progress throughout their first season of hitting in 1st Year Checking. There is a lot of information to process through the 83-minute film, but it doesn't overwhelm or talk down to the viewer. It's a no-nonsense look at a parent's view, a player's view, and expert opinions on hitting at the bantam level. Ultimately, Mr. Messner highlights the dangers of hitting at this level, but it's up to the viewer to weigh those risks against the fun and excitement of hockey in the bigger picture and whether the kids will be ok when it comes to the risks of bodychecking at age 12 and 13.
Teebz's Rating: ★★★★★
Please note that this is a Vimeo On-Demand film, so it needs to be rented. The cost is $14.54 CDN to watch this film over a 24-hour period, but I assure you that it's worth it if you have a child nearing the age of bodychecking. It will really open your eyes as to what to watch for and what to question when it comes to safety as well as giving you a better idea about some of the risks and benefits in hitting at a young age. Check it out when you can as my rating says it's recommended!
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
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