ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK, Sweden — After finishing a game in Sweden’s top women’s hockey league, player Lauren Bellefontaine expressed the physical demands of the sport. “I got a stick to the collarbone tonight and also a hit to the head. Definitely some bumps and bruises,” she shared, though she reassured everyone with a smile that she was feeling fine.
Growing up in Canada, Bellefontaine often faced questions about why women’s hockey lacked hitting. It wasn’t until she moved to Sweden that she encountered the more physical aspect of the game. In 2022, Sweden made history by allowing body checking in its premier women’s league, measuring up its rules closer to those in men’s hockey. This change has sparked a wave of empowerment for female players, allowing them to engage in a more intense style of play.
Swedish hockey authorities report that the effects of these new rules have been largely positive. The speed and entertainment value of women’s games have improved, while incidents of concussions — a serious concern in all contact sports — have notably reduced. Other regions are starting to follow Sweden’s lead, with professional women’s leagues in North America adopting similar rules for body checking.
“It has given us the opportunity to prove we’re physical, we’re strong and we can play just like the men’s players,” Bellefontaine remarked. “It allows us to show we can — and we will.”
Bellefontaine joined the MoDo team in Örnsköldsvik, a hockey-centric town boasting a storied history of producing NHL talent. Upon her arrival, she experienced something akin to culture shock. “I had no prior experience of hitting at all,” she admitted. “It was tough but now it’s just fun.”
Recent statistics show that since introducing body checking and implementing the “Project Zero Vision” in 2018, reported concussions in Swedish women’s hockey have significantly declined, illustrating that the initiative may have improved safety overall. Players are learning to skate with their heads up, enhancing their awareness on the ice.
The return of checking to women’s hockey has rejuvenated the game, fostering a balance between skill and physical play that many fans appreciate. “It creates some tension in the game that you otherwise don’t get,” said Luc de Keijzer, a regular attendee of MoDo games.
Moreover, there is hope that this increase in physicality could help elevate Sweden’s women’s hockey to compete more fiercely on the international stage against powerhouses like the United States and Canada.
The new rules foster a sense of equality in the sport, as players are now following similar regulations to their male counterparts, with one notable exception: hits on open ice are still not allowed in women’s hockey. “We’re trying to close the gap between men’s and women’s hockey, so this is one way we are doing it,” commented Alexie Guay, another Canadian on the MoDo team.
Research from Lund University reveals that a significant majority of players support the new checking rules, underscoring widespread enthusiasm for the change. Coach Jared Cipparone expressed satisfaction, noting that the players have embraced the new style and that the improvements are already noticeable.
During a recent game, players showcased their newfound physicality with strong hits, all while maintaining the sportsmanship we expect in hockey. Bellefontaine, who considers herself “pretty small,” has adapted to this style of play by training harder and improving her fitness to withstand body contact.
Unlike many North American hockey leagues, where checking is prohibited for girls and women, Sweden introduces body checking to young players from the age of 12, teaching them crucial skills early on. Parents, like Marie Johansson, have voiced their confidence in their children’s ability to engage safely in this physical play.
Sweden’s commitment to promoting physicality in women’s hockey is garnering attention beyond its borders, influencing leagues in neighboring countries and the international federation. The move is seen as breaking down barriers and challenging outdated perceptions about what women can achieve in sports.
“We are proud to be trailblazers,” said Angelica Lindeberg, an operations manager for the Swedish league. “Now we say, of course they can.”
As the Swedish women’s hockey scene continues to evolve, it stands as a promising example of how the sport can embrace growth and equality for all players.
