Hockey is a winter sport that originated in Canada. It is considered to be the national sport of Canada, and is also supported by the Canadian government as an official sport. The game is also popular in Australia, and New Zealand. Many people may not be familiar with how long it takes to become a professional hockey player. You’ll soon find out as we go over some numbers in this article.
Table of Contents
On The Ice Less Than Half The Time
In most cases, hockey players spend less than half of their time on the ice. The statistics show that the average hockey player spends 44.2% of his time on the ice. This means he skates for only 5 hours and 20 minutes out of an 8 hour workday. Since practices are generally shorter than games, it is evident that players have less time to dedicate to their sport. Another factor is that hockey is a physically demanding sport. There’s lots of running around, trying to avoid getting tripped up by the other team, plus checking and slashing to name just a few.
Minor Hockey Tournaments
To play minor hockey, one must be at least 4 years old, and under 18 years old. There are several minor hockey leagues across North America. These leagues vary in size from just a few teams to more than a dozen. The minor hockey season runs from September to April. The biggest and most popular of these leagues is the North American Hockey League (NAHL). In the United States, many minor hockey leagues have adopted the name ‘Major Junior Hockey League’ (MJHL). Most of these leagues offer players an opportunity to play against professionals, and some even offer scholarship opportunities.
Hockey As A Full-Time Job
Though hockey is not considered to be a full-time job since most players only work a few hours a day, it is still very demanding. Just to make the professional leagues in North America, one would have to put in over 40 hours a week, not including practice and games. This is quite a sacrifice for a lot of hockey players. The season is long, and it is not unusual for players to work seven days a week just to make sure they keep their spot on the team. Due to the low amount of money most teams make, it is not uncommon for players to work in the food industry, or as an auto mechanic to make extra cash. This is what keeps the sport alive, as many hockey players are either too busy, or do not want to give up their time to be athletes. Though it is definitely not for the fainthearted, you will soon find out that the dedication, and passion that hockey players have for the sport is definitely worth it.
A 1 In 4.8 Chance Of Becoming A Professional Hockey Player
According to the Federation of International Ice Hockey Associations (FIH) there are currently around 450,000 people living in over 150 countries who play ice hockey. This makes it the second most popular sport on the planet after golf. It would be safe to assume that there are a lot more people who play ice hockey than there are professional players. If you are a skilled athlete who loves to skate, there is a 1 in 4.8 chance that you could make it to the top. In most cases, hockey players are either scouted, or they join a youth team, and then get noticed by a professional team. To be eligible for the NHL draft you have to be at least 18 years old, and under 22 years old. If you haven’t heard of the NHL draft, it is probably because you have not yet attained professional status in hockey. The draft is when teams from the minor leagues, and international leagues, come together to form a more competitive team. It is not uncommon for there to be anywhere from 20 to 60 players participating in the draft. In reality, it is more common for there to be about a dozen or so players participating. It is a very prestigious moment for a young hockey player to be selected in the NHL draft, and the attention that it brings is incomparable. Imagine getting selected in the draft, and being the first overall pick!
Only The Most Skilled Players Are Taken Seriously By Ice Hockey Teams
Even though there are hundreds of thousands of people who play hockey, only the most skilled and determined players are taken seriously by teams. It’s quite common for teams to draft a quarterback, or a professional baseball player in the first round of the NHL draft. It is quite unheard of for a hockey team to select a player in the first round, especially a defenseman. Defensemen who have a good offensive game are usually picked in the second or third round, or later. The most skilled and determined players will end up playing on the minor leagues to start their careers, before getting a chance to play on a professional team. It takes a lot of patience and dedication to make it to the top, and for the most part, hockey players have to realize that if they want to make it as a professional, they will have to do it on their own. Most players who get drafted by a professional team end up playing in the minor leagues, and gaining experience before becoming a regular on a team.
How Do You Stay In Shape?
One of the great things about hockey is that it is a very versatile sport. It can be played by anyone, in any shape or size. This is one of the main reasons why the sport is so popular. It is easy for people to join a hockey league, and then get involved in some way, whether it is playing, or coaching. The great thing about hockey is that it is very easy to stay in shape, even if you do not spend a lot of time on the ice. You will soon find out how important this is, as you will see below.
The Importance Of Building A Proper Workout Routine
The best way to improve your hockey game is by working out with a trainer or physical therapist who has experience in building workout routines for hockey players. In general, your workout routine should consist of three things; strength training, speed training, and technical skill training. The last two should make up for the first. You should always do some sort of strength training at least twice a week. This is to make sure you are not losing any muscle tone, especially in the winter months when the weather is cold and damp. The speed and technical skill training should be done as often as possible, and it is important to find a routine that works best for you.
The Importance Of Recovery
One of the great things about hockey is that it is a very demanding sport. This means that you will need to take plenty of time to recover after each game or practice. This is quite different from other sports, where you may be able to push a bit harder, and play through the pain. The amount of physical exertion that occurs in hockey is quite incredible, and it is imperative that you take care of your body after each game or practice session. It is quite easy for an athlete in any sport to get injured. You will soon find out that there are several things that you should never do after a game or practice session. These injuries are quite common, and can range from mild to severe. The worst type of injury is a head injury, or a stroke. If you want to make it as a professional hockey player, it is quite important to take care of your body, and make sure that you are not doing any of the things that may cause you harm. The great thing is that most of these injuries are easily treatable, and can be avoided if you know what the possible consequences of certain behaviors may be. Many hockey players use ice baths after their workouts, as well as heat wraps and stimulation devices to help accelerate the recovery process. The amount of time that it takes to recover from most injuries is quite short, and most players are back on the ice in quite a short amount of time. This is why it is so important to make sure that you are not doing anything that may jeopardize your health.