I watched a segment on ESPN's "Between the Lines" re: this. Seems like the players that they talked to, can't remember who they were, both said they were not in favor or the later checking age, saying kids need to learn how to do it and the sooner the better.... Think they were also concerned with not learning to keep your head up, making sure you weren't going to get hit...
Later you start worrying about that, the harder it is to teach or something.... I can't remember, other than them both being against raising the age.
Both sides made a rational argument.
Found the piece....
http://search.espn.go.com/outside-th...ockey/videos/6