Demographic and Traditional Routes to Play in the National Hockey League

This project analyzed how the recruiting process works for junior hockey players as well as college hockey players. I interviewed two coaches from the Union College Men’s Ice Hockey Team and four players from the team. Their different backgrounds help explain why exactly they came to Union for hockey and also the different leagues they played in along the way. The questions I asked these coaches as well as players assessed how players are recruited and why they are recruited to play college hockey. Compared to the three other major sports played in North America; football, baseball, basketball, hockey is one with very little research on this topic. However, hockey’s participation has grown dramatically among school age children. Quite a few dream of becoming a professional hockey player, but only a very small number will.