Careers in Hockey: A collection of resources

[shadow1]

Writing in Hockey

For those who write in hockey or those aspiring to write in hockey, where are some of the best places to start out applying to?

[I posted something in the Careers in Hockey sticky, but have decided this probably would be better in a new thread.]

I'm a 22 year old college student co-majoring in Journalism and Psychology. I won't graduate for about a year, but when I do (or sooner), I'd at least like to get my feet wet with a reputable hockey magazine and/or website.

If anyone could share advice for aspiring hockey journalists, it would be appreciated.

 

[LadyStanley]

WRT writing, you might want to contact some of your favorite writers via twitter/email and ask how they got started.

 

[leoleo3535]

There are alot of hockey jobs available right now....
- scouting
- agency
- writing

Check the websites and you will find many....AJHL, WHL, ECHL, Hockey Prospects etc.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Does anyone have any information on the broadcasting side of things? (ie Play by Play, Color Commentator, Radio Announcer, etc.)?

Thank you!!

As in, how to become a sports broadcaster, what qualifications you need, etc.

 

[LadyStanley]

Does anyone have any information on the broadcasting side of things? (ie Play by Play, Color Commentator, Radio Announcer, etc.)?

Thank you!!

As in, how to become a sports broadcaster, what qualifications you need, etc.

WRT PXP -- if you can find copies of the NHL Network series "Voices" from a couple of years ago, they interviewed most of the radio (and/or TV guys if there's a simulcast) play by play guys. Covered their careers (pre-NHL), etc.

Most PXP guys (radio/TV) seem to start out at local level (very low minor league, college, HS) and work their way up.

AHL (and lower) radio guys usually do the full radio production, so having the knowledge of how to do a "show" is important, and do the pxp/color/analyst solo. AHL and lower may also be responsible for other tasks including sale of "air" time on broadcasts/sponsorships, writing/recording commercials for sponsors, media credentialing, etc.

 

[LadyStanley]

http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/world+with+camera/4935457/story.html

For those interested in photography, here's the obit of a wire service (Reuters) photographer who was covering the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals (and life long Winnipeg Jets fan).

 

[LadyStanley]

WRT PXP -- if you can find copies of the NHL Network series "Voices" from a couple of years ago, they interviewed most of the radio (and/or TV guys if there's a simulcast) play by play guys. Covered their careers (pre-NHL), etc.

NHL Network will be re-airing this series starting 6/27 (Monday). 2-3 episodes/day.

 

[spitfires07]

I am currently going into my 4th year at the University of Guelph. I am in the co-op program at the university and I am studying commerce.

I was wondering if the Guelph Storm, or just OHL teams in general, typically would have any positions available (internships/co-op placements) for a university business student?

I feel that working for an OHL team would be a great chance to get my foot in the door, the only problem is that I doubt they need the services of a finance/economics student.

 

[NYR89]

I am currently going into my 4th year at the University of Guelph. I am in the co-op program at the university and I am studying commerce.

I was wondering if the Guelph Storm, or just OHL teams in general, typically would have any positions available (internships/co-op placements) for a university business student?

I feel that working for an OHL team would be a great chance to get my foot in the door, the only problem is that I doubt they need the services of a finance/economics student.

If I were in your shoes, I'd email someone working for the team to see if they have an intern program. Pick the person off this list http://www.guelphstorm.com/page/front-office that you think is the proper person or you could send an email to the general one listed. The worst they'll do is tell you no or not respond.

 

[leoleo3535]

Here is an example of working your way up-

http://www.lfpress.com/sports/knights/2011/07/05/18379336.html

 

[Sensation]

It'd be a dream to become an agent for NHL players, does anyone know any player agents? Or what they had to do to get there?

 

[leoleo3535]

It'd be a dream to become an agent for NHL players, does anyone know any player agents? Or what they had to do to get there?

It is basically a 24 hour a day job.

Unless you stumbled upon a "lottery win" type of scenario you do it for years for little to no money.

Once you / if you get established money may get good....still a 24/7 job.

Despite what you read here you do not need to be a lawyer, you do not need to take a course......you need to know players, the game and have a business accum.

I work in the business in a Player Development role for an agent.
We have 15+ pro clients, 3 junior.

This is the 2nd agency I have been with........1 was a lawyer, 1 was not.
The majority are not lawyers despite what you may hear.

 

[Sensation]

It is basically a 24 hour a day job.

Unless you stumbled upon a "lottery win" type of scenario you do it for years for little to no money.

Once you / if you get established money may get good....still a 24/7 job.

Despite what you read here you do not need to be a lawyer, you do not need to take a course......you need to know players, the game and have a business accum.

I work in the business in a Player Development role for an agent.
We have 15+ pro clients, 3 junior.

This is the 2nd agency I have been with........1 was a lawyer, 1 was not.
The majority are not lawyers despite what you may hear.

Thanks for the input!

 

[taylerrandi]

Okay, so I'm eighteen and the dream is working in PR or media relations with a team. I still have that young naive opinion that I'm willing to do anything to accomplish this. I'm going to school at the U of R for a degree, majoring in marketing. I know Regina isn't the ideal place to be but it is too late to turn back now. Anyway, in order to gain experience I was planning on volunteering with the Pats as well as the athletic department at the University. I was wondering if starting a blog and attempting to get recognition there would be the right route to go, or joining the school newspaper to get some writing experience? I was also wondering if the fact that I'm a female would affect my chances of getting into the industry?

 

[leoleo3535]

Someone who posts here on a regular basis could give you a very educated opinion.
I am sure when he sees this you will have a very good response.

Refer back to this over the next day or 2....

 

[LadyStanley]

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/bucky-gleason/article489294.ece

Profile on AHL Sharks president Michael Mudd with an emphasis on his history of moves/jobs/positions to get where he's got.

 

[Michael Gary Scott]

Im going into University this year to get a Bachelors of Business, would that be good for anything to do with hockey? (Any job at all management, scouting etc...)

 

[jlnjcb]

Im going into University this year to get a Bachelors of Business, would that be good for anything to do with hockey? (Any job at all management, scouting etc...)

I'm doing this too; from what I've heard, it helps - but you've gotta get lucky.

 

[zjh]

What Would You Do? Advice Needed!

Hi, I'm a 17 year old highschool student currently going into grade 12 for the upcoming year. I love sports and always dreamed about working in this industry for the rest of my life. I'm in Calgary and I'm torn between what post secondary classes I should take.

At Mount Royal University there is a class called Applied Business and entreprenurialship in Sport and Recreation. This class blends business and marketing aspects with the world of sports. It also includes 2 semesters of direct field studies while we work in the industry.

The other option is taking normal Business at the University of Calgary. The Pros to this would be that I am able to keep my options open and it allows me to get jobs in other industries if I need to. The Cons would be that my resume would not look as enticing to sports teams and I would not have the 2 semesters of work experience.

Time for registration is just around the corner. Any advice or opinions are welcome! Thanks

 

[tarheelhockey]

I suggest you read through the "Careers in Hockey" sticky thread. It will give you some important insight on exactly what you will need as far as resume material.

My suggestion would be to take the Applied Business course if you are really serious about getting into the sports industry. The field experience will be a valuable lesson in whether it's really what you want to do. The sooner you get experience in the field, the better for your career and your life's direction.

 

[NYR89]

I would definitely go the applied route. Hands on experience crushes class work every day of the week.

Also, when looking for a job site for field work, try to get sales positions. If you're going into the business side, you first job is most likely going to be in sales.

 

[Burgmania]

Here's a question - what's the best way to work your way up to doing the public address announcing for a NHL team? I'm a freelance sports PA announcer in Western New York - almost ten years of experience doing multiple sports, but hockey's my big one.

Announcing Buffalo goals sounds like fun, eh? So how do I break in?

 

[jlnjcb]

Hi, I'm a 17 year old highschool student currently going into grade 12 for the upcoming year. I love sports and always dreamed about working in this industry for the rest of my life. I'm in Calgary and I'm torn between what post secondary classes I should take.

At Mount Royal University there is a class called Applied Business and entreprenurialship in Sport and Recreation. This class blends business and marketing aspects with the world of sports. It also includes 2 semesters of direct field studies while we work in the industry.

The other option is taking normal Business at the University of Calgary. The Pros to this would be that I am able to keep my options open and it allows me to get jobs in other industries if I need to. The Cons would be that my resume would not look as enticing to sports teams and I would not have the 2 semesters of work experience.

Time for registration is just around the corner. Any advice or opinions are welcome! Thanks

From what I've read and heard from several people, the word "Sports" on a resume isn't as enticing as we "non-hockey-world" people think .

I would suggest taking the regular business option, and then interning for your local junior team, or maybe even AHL or NHL team. That way you have a reliable reference, as well as an education that is more broad and useful in the case your "dreams" don't work out.

That's what I'll be doing - taking Business (first a diploma, then hopefully a Bachelors and Masters), then hopefully being able to intern/work for a hockey team.

 

[prefy]

I generally just lurk the forums but I thought I would give my two cents on the topic at hand, being somebody who has gone through the experience.

From my perspective if you are looking to break into the hockey world it is imperative that you supplement your schooling (no matter the degree) with as much job experience (likely as a volunteer) as you can handle.

I am 24, have a degree in Sports Management and have interned with 2 AHL teams (Hamilton Bulldogs - Communications, Rockford IceHogs - Broadcasting) and with my university athletic department in Sports Information.

I also worked as an Off-ice official with the Manitoba Moose and at the 2007 World Women's Hockey Championship along with being the Director of Officiating at the 2009 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

All during the school year and ALL FOR FREE!

It has been a lot of hard work and at times has very difficult to balance both but I believe 100% that it has paid off. Not only have I acquired both the theoretical and practical knowledge that is required to work in hockey but I have also vastly increased my network.

This has lead to my first contract within professional hockey with an NHL team working with their AHL affiliate in hockey operations, which I am just getting geared up to start!

I know a lot of people that were in my program that did not want to put in the time outside of the classroom and thus are having a really hard time finding jobs. Don't be one of them and GET INVOLVED! All it takes is an E-mail or a phone call to a local club, a little bit of hard work and luck and a career in hockey could be just around the corner.

Hopefully this is relevant and can help somebody as they move forward!

 

[jlnjcb]

I generally just lurk the forums but I thought I would give my two cents on the topic at hand, being somebody who has gone through the experience.

From my perspective if you are looking to break into the hockey world it is imperative that you supplement your schooling (no matter the degree) with as much job experience (likely as a volunteer) as you can handle.

I am 24, have a degree in Sports Management and have interned with 2 AHL teams (Hamilton Bulldogs - Communications, Rockford IceHogs - Broadcasting) and with my university athletic department in Sports Information.

I also worked as an Off-ice official with the Manitoba Moose and at the 2007 World Women's Hockey Championship along with being the Director of Officiating at the 2009 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

All during the school year and ALL FOR FREE!

It has been a lot of hard work and at times has very difficult to balance both but I believe 100% that it has paid off. Not only have I acquired both the theoretical and practical knowledge that is required to work in hockey but I have also vastly increased my network.

This has lead to my first contract within professional hockey with an NHL team working with their AHL affiliate in hockey operations, which I am just getting geared up to start!

I know a lot of people that were in my program that did not want to put in the time outside of the classroom and thus are having a really hard time finding jobs. Don't be one of them and GET INVOLVED! All it takes is an E-mail or a phone call to a local club, a little bit of hard work and luck and a career in hockey could be just around the corner.

Hopefully this is relevant and can help somebody as they move forward!

So, would you say your Sports Management Degree helped you getting those internships?

Also, would you mind updating us on your job in Hockey Ops with that AHL team? I think we'd all love your insight.