What do you guys recommend to begin a career in hockey (preferably the NHL)?

Question

Do you guys have any recommendations on getting a job in the NHL? I'm applying for the New York Rangers internship, but it is unpaid, so I can't commit to the 40 hour internship they offer.

Any ideas? Any internships I should be going for? Any training I should go for?

(Background info - I'm currently a student in New York, majoring in Business and minoring in Economics. I'm a junior, and feel it's too late to switch my major.)

LITY - It is unpaid, but it is for academic credit. Apparently it is really competitive, and I likely won't get to be apart of it.

And glad to hear that you got to be a scout though. I've seen training courses online to become for hockey scouting and management.... do you think thats just a waste of money and time?

Answer 1

I guess I have some questions first.

Is this a 40 hour a week internship that is unpaid? (If so, that's absurd)

If not, and the internship is spread out over time, by all means do it.

The best way to get into the NHL (which is an old boys network to some extent) is to get on with a team and do the nitty-gritty.

Since you are a 'money' guy (academically speaking), I assume you will be working with the books, which means you'll meet Glen Sather. Once you are in, and you get to 'see' the machinations of a professional hockey organization, you'll see other aspects such as the scouting, the pre-game meetings, etc. You'll get a feel for which aspects you enjoy, and which you don't.

If it comes down to getting the internship, and it's 40 hours a week unpaid, write to the parents for a months worth of money, and spend that month working your *** off, getting to know people, and making contacts. After a month, you'll know if you enjoy working for the NHL, and you can quit the internship with an 'I'm sorry I can't afford it anymore' and if you've impressed them enough, they may be willing to help you out.

I would rather see a young kid try and not be able to finish, then see him not try it all. It's easy for me to say this at my age, but a chance like this (again - OLD BOYS NETWORK) may never come again.

I was in the right place at the right time......Tommy Ivan told me I was not an NHL calibre player - but maybe I'd like to be a scout.............If I had not gone to training camp that year (my 5th) I would not have had any career in the NHL.

If you have any chance to be there.............take it!



Gary,
I'm looking into one of those. Another poster here a couple of months ago sent me a link for an academic program that helps people train for a career as a scout/general manager etc in the professional sporting arena (not just hockey). After talking with several NHL scouts about it, nobody had heard of it. After talking with some general managers, none of them had heard of it - but thought it sounded interesting.

So far, I don't know if this school has any graduates in the NHL, nor do I know if they teach what you need to know at the NHL level. I'm still trying to find that sort of information out. The NHL is not a bastion of well educated academics doing their art in back rooms. It consists of a lot of ex-players who have augmented what education they had with the skills to get by in their new professions, although this is changing (Malkin has enrolled in courses at U Penn).

I still have more work to do on learning about these programs, they are pricey, but like an Executive MBA, if they do the job....they are worth it.


Good Luck with the internship though, I still think that's the way to go.

Answer 2

One that I have not seen yet, is Sergei Zholtok dying of a heart attack on the ice. This is why he was so important to me... In 2003 I was an admirer of the sport of hockey but I wouldn't say I was a great fan yet. My dad decided for my early birthday present to take me to a Wild game. Mr. Zholtok was on the team that season. It was Oct. 29 and the Wild were playing the Avalanche. It was a close game all the way and ended up in overtime. After a few close calls Sergei scored the game winner. The Xcel was roaring. I have never felt that kind of passion ever at any sporting event. I was hooked on the sport and the Wild. To cement this 2 days later a friend approached me at school and said he had an extra ticket for the Oct 31 game against the Sharks. Once again the game went to OT and once again Sergei Zholtok scored the game winner. Mr. Zholtok and my Dad are the reasons why I am a die hard hockey fan today. Thank you. Hockey aside, I want to say, my thoughts go out to all those affected by the 35W bridge collapse. I was there when it happened and to see that tragedy up close will stick with me forever. I travel that bridge almost daily and know that could have been me. I also want to thank the brave citizens of Minnesota who were the first to jump into the river to save those who had fallen.

Answer 3

Coach a little league ie hockey team. You'll get attention.

Answer 4

Practice.
Become a great player.
They'll come looking for you.