Experiential antecedents to reaching the pinnacle of ice hockey: The National Hockey League. A qualitative study
Abstract
This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to investigate ice hockey, specifically the phenomena experienced by players retired from the National Hockey League (NHL) that helped them reach the NHL. Subjects were three NHL players who had retired since 1989, inclusive. Each subject was interviewed via telephone using a semi-structured format. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed into meaning units. Themes emerged from the meaning units and were grouped into the following four stages that led subjects to success in hockey: (a) Beginning the Dream; (b) Fostering the Dream; (c) Preparation for the Dream; and (d) Passing on the Dream. These stages consisted of 12 themes that facilitated a clearer understanding of phenomena that helped them succeed and reach the NHL. The Beginning the Dream stage contained no separate themes. Mentors, Support, Motivation, Passion, and Psychological Traits make up the stage of Fostering the Dream. Four themes were found in Preparation for the Dream. They were Opportunity, Talent, Coaching, and Challenges. The last stage of Passing on the Dream consisted of two themes recommendations, To Coaches, and To Players. Findings and implications for further research are discussed for each of the four stages.
Subject Area
Occupational psychology|Social psychology|Recreation
Recommended Citation
John Frederick Hagy,
"Experiential antecedents to reaching the pinnacle of ice hockey: The National Hockey League. A qualitative study"
(2001).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI3024621.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3024621