ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK, Sweden — After participating in a match within Sweden’s women’s hockey league, Lauren Bellefontaine reflected on the physical challenges she faced on the ice. “I received a stick to the collarbone and took a hit to the head. There are definitely some bumps and bruises,” she stated, managing a smile. “Nevertheless, I’m feeling alright.”
Raised in Canada, Bellefontaine often encountered questions regarding the absence of body checking in women’s hockey. It wasn’t until her move to northern Sweden that she began to experience the more aggressive aspects of the sport firsthand. In 2022, Sweden marked a significant transition by becoming the first nation to allow body checking in its top women’s hockey league, aligning the game closer to men’s hockey. This move, however, stands against the guidelines of the sport’s global governing body, which has expressed safety concerns regarding such practices. It has transformed the game for female players, enhancing their sense of empowerment and allowing them to play in a way that many believe aligns better with the sport’s original spirit.
Officials within Swedish hockey have reported overwhelmingly positive outcomes since the introduction of checking. They claim the women’s game is now faster and more exciting, with a noticeable reduction in concussions, a long-standing issue in the sport. Other countries, including those in North America, are beginning to reconsider their own rules, with leagues like the PWHL incorporating checking into their regulations for the 2023 season. Bellefontaine expressed the importance of this shift, saying, “We have the opportunity to demonstrate that we are physical, strong, and capable of playing like the men do. It allows us to showcase our abilities.”
Bellefontaine joined the MoDo team for the 2023-24 season. MoDo is an accomplished team based in Örnsköldsvik, a tranquil coastal locality situated 530 kilometers (330 miles) from Stockholm and near the Arctic Circle. This town, with a population of 30,000, is steeped in a hockey-centric culture, producing NHL stars like Peter Forsberg, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and Markus Naslund. Bellefontaine noted that adapting to the rigors of checking was initially overwhelming for her, stating, “I had no prior experience with hitting, and we dove right into the season. It took some time to adjust, but now it’s just plain fun.”
The addition of body checking has yielded tangible benefits. Recent statistics from the Swedish women’s league showcase a decline in concussion cases since the start of the “Project Zero Vision” initiative in 2018. Reported concussions dropped from 35 during the 2018-19 season to 10 in the 2022-23 season, with just six reported by early January of the current season. Interestingly enough, the push to introduce checking was primarily motivated by a desire to enhance safety—due to the requirement for players to maintain awareness on the ice, they engage more mindfully.
Moreover, coaches, officials, and fans have noted that the pace of the game has noticeably improved, with players making quicker and more tactical decisions. This balancing of skill and physical play is deemed crucial for making the game captivating to spectators. Luc de Keijzer, a 27-year-old MoDo fan, expressed that checking introduces a layer of tension that enhances the viewing experience.
There is hope that heightened physicality will also elevate Sweden’s international competitiveness, especially against powerhouse nations like the United States, Canada, and Finland. Even though Sweden’s women’s team frequently reaches the later stages of world championships and Olympic Games, they have yet to capture gold in these events.
For many female players, a significant takeaway from the introduction of checking is a newfound sense of empowerment, as they now play by nearly the same rules as their male counterparts—save for one critical restriction that prohibits hits in open ice. Alexie Guay, another Canadian player on the MoDo team, noted, “We aim to narrow the gap between men’s and women’s hockey, and aligning our rules is a step in that direction. It isn’t as intense, and the rules differ somewhat, but we’re undoubtedly making progress, which I think is fantastic.” Surveys conducted by Lund University reveal that a strong majority of league players advocate for the inclusion of checking.
MoDo’s head coach Jared Cipparone, a fellow Canadian, reported that players have embraced the change rather than posing resistance. “The excitement was palpable, especially during the initial year as everyone adjusted. The improvement in gameplay has been significant, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.” During a recent game against HV71 at Hagglunds Arena, a striking body check sent a MoDo player veering, yet no penalties were issued, showcasing a high-disciplined style of play.
Bellefontaine has had to adapt her own style to fit this new level of physical play. Standing at 5-feet-7 and labeling herself as “pretty small,” she trains rigorously, monitors her diet, and utilizes her sauna for recovery after matches. “I’m definitely more aware now. Before, I wouldn’t anticipate a hit, but now I’m constantly alert and prepared,” she shared. “This shift has transformed our approach to the game, making us all more adept players.”
In Sweden, the adoption of body checking begins at an early age in youth leagues, differing from the protocols established by USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, which exclude checking in girls’ and women’s hockey. Children in Sweden start practicing checking when they’re just 12 years old, often playing alongside boys, which league officials argue builds a strong foundation for later stages of their hockey education.
Parents, like MoDo fan Marie Johansson, express confidence in this approach, believing that teaching their children how to check responsibly leads to a safer playing environment. “All parents worry about injuries,” she said, “but when they learn checking, they train extensively—keeping their heads up, which actually helps prevent injuries.”
Morgan Johansson, who played a key role in establishing the Zero Vision initiative, noted that information regarding Sweden’s rule changes is being shared with the IIHF and the PWHL. He mentioned that inquiries have come in from Norwegian and Danish leagues seeking similar adjustments. The IIHF has begun discussions on possibly revising regulations regarding checking rules for women’s hockey during its international competitions.
In Sweden, there is a shared feeling of pride in having led the charge for reform in women’s hockey, breaking away from traditional limitations. “We consider ourselves trailblazers in challenging the outdated notions of what women can achieve in this sport,” stated Angelica Lindeberg, the operations manager for the Swedish league. “Now we firmly advocate, without reservation, that they absolutely can.”
