There are currently 578 full-time jobs with an average wage of $75,000 per year and up in the NHL. Many of these jobs are in Toronto, Montréal, or Vancouver, the three biggest cities in Canada. It is quite a lucrative career field if you are looking to get into hockey. If you are already working in sports, you can leverage your experience into a new career in hockey. Here’s a look at how you can get started on the right foot to land yourself a job in hockey operations.
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Decide Which Position You Want
When deciding what career path to take in hockey, you need to consider which position you want to fill. The options range from team executives to scouts. Each one of these jobs has their perks and perils. Below we will discuss some of the essential requirements and duties of each one.
Team Executive (Executives)
The key responsibility of a hockey team executive is to oversee the daily operations of the team. This responsibility includes hiring and firing of coaches and players, structuring of practice and game schedules, and planning and executing business strategies. A major aspect of this job is analyzing game results and using data to make decisions about the team’s next moves.
A team executive’s duties usually include working with the general manager of the team to set the overall strategy, identify areas for improvement, and set goals. The job requires a strong work ethic and the ability to deal with pressure as you would expect from a high profile position within the hockey world. Because this position is generally responsible for the day-to-day operations of a team, it requires someone who is organized and can multi-task effectively.
Scout (Sports Scouts)
A scout’s primary responsibility is to investigate and analyze talent in sports. This includes visiting sports events and workouts, talking to coaches and players about their opinions, and gathering as much hockey-related information as possible. A scout’s job requires them to be highly skilled at finding talent in smaller markets (e.g. Midwestern United States) as well as in big cities (e.g. New York, Los Angeles).
A scout’s salary ranges between $40,000 and $80,000 per year, with the higher end being more common for experienced individuals. Due to the highly competitive nature of the job, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with others are essential.
General Manager (GM)
A general manager’s job is to oversee the hockey operations of a team. This includes making decisions about the team’s roster, negotiating contracts with players, and handling the team’s finances. General managers are in charge of the hockey operations of a team, meaning that they are responsible for the team’s strategy, assessing the players’ capabilities, and hiring and firing of head coaches and other staff.
The primary responsibility of a general manager is to build a winning team. This requires the ability to make smart decisions, set a course of action, and be dogged in following through on those decisions. It also requires the person filling the role to be a hands-on manager and to exhibit business acumen.
Assistant GM (A-GM)
An assistant general manager’s job is to assist a general manager in overseeing the hockey operations of a team. This entails working under the direction of the general manager and taking on some of the responsibility of the job. An assistant general manager’s responsibility is to plan and organize the team’s travel schedule and events, as well as gather and analyze information about the team.
The duties of an assistant general manager include working with the general manager to set the overall strategy, identifying areas for improvement, and making sure that the team is staying on track to meet those goals. An assistant general manager’s job also entails being a jack-of-all-trades, able to take on any task that comes their way. This requires strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize, and the ability to multitask effectively.
Head Coach (HC)
A head coach’s primary responsibility is to lead and motivate their players to achieve success on the ice. This can mean anything from preparing the team for games to coming up with individualized training programs for each player.
A head coach’s job normally entails working with the team’s general manager to put together a competitive roster, and then overseeing the team’s practice sessions and games. A head coach’s responsibilities include creating a fun and engaging practice environment, developing and implementing game plans, and dealing with opposing teams and officials as needed.
As a head coach, you will need to have a working knowledge of skating, skiing, and fitness. In addition, you must be able to work effectively with players of all kinds, both on and off the ice. Finally, you must be able to delegate tasks and be a hands-on manager, able to oversee the daily operations of the team.
Senior Coach (SC)
A senior coach’s primary responsibility is to prepare the team for the following season, working with the head coach to make sure that all the players are fit and ready to go. After the season, the senior coach will work with the head coach to develop and implement new game plans, as needed.
The responsibilities of a senior coach include everything that a head coach does, plus they are also responsible for helping the players develop individualized schedules for next season, structuring and overseeing practice sessions, and dealing with team logistics and administration. A senior coach’s job also entails mentoring the younger coaches on the staff.
Roster Management (Roster Master)
Roster management is a derivative of the general manager’s job description, except that the responsibilities fall under the supervision of the general manager. The primary responsibility of a roster master is to make sure that the team’s roster is complete and no players are missing. In addition, a roster master is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date player statistics, creating reports, and analyzing game results. Finally, a roster master is responsible for making recommendations regarding the team’s next moves, based on the results of their research and analysis.
Because the duties of a team executive can vary so much, it is essential that you choose a job that you are passionate about. If you are considering this career path, be sure to explore the roles of a team executive and how you can fit into this category.