What does an ice hockey coach do?
Ice hockey is a game played on ice, involving two teams of skaters whose objective is to shoot a rubber puck into their opponents' net. An ice hockey team coach is saddled with the responsibility of directing the team during training and live games. They have to decide who gets to play a particular game and who will watch from the sidelines. Additionally, they must constantly ensure that their team performs at an optimal level to win games.
Ice hockey coach responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real ice hockey coach resumes:
- Provide guidance for individual athletes and assist them in achieving spots within elite summer rowing programs in Philadelphia.
- Coach the JV field hockey team at the local high school.
- Experience officiating professional, NCAA, junior, and amateur hockey.
- Help guide one of the most successful high school hockey programs in the state to a championship game.
- Coach a field hockey team utilizing leadership and verbal-communication to encourage students to improve individual and team performance.
- Coach team with the highest GPA within LHS athletics.
- Direct weekly practices that emphasize personal and team goals and lead the boys to the championship game.
- Form great leadership and organizational skills.
- Counsele kids with daily instruction, providing additional coaching to players needing additional attention.
- Provide coaching assistance and training in technical and tactical skills to U12 girls' youth soccer team.
Ice hockey coach skills and personality traits
We calculated that 34% of Ice Hockey Coaches are proficient in CPR, NCAA, and Student Athletes. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dedication, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Ice Hockey Coaches that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 34%
Received Pupil Activity Certificate and CPR Certification.
- NCAA, 9%
Acted as the ECAC Hockey Coaches Chair and served on the NCAA Tournament Committee East Region.
- Student Athletes, 6%
Handled all admissions, scholarships and eligibility for recruited student athletes along with current student-athletes.
- JV, 6%
Worked directly with JV and Varsity Coaches to foster a positive development program.
- Ice Hockey, 6%
Trained individuals of all ages in basic movement patterns as well as balance skills required for figure skating and ice hockey.
- III, 6%
Secured a two-year grant that provided funding for administrative position at Division III institution.
Most ice hockey coaches use their skills in "cpr," "ncaa," and "student athletes" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential ice hockey coach responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an ice hockey coach to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "because coaches instruct, organize, and motivate athletes, they must be able to convey information clearly." Additionally, an ice hockey coach resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "plan practices, implement drills and positive communication with players. "
Dedication. Another essential skill to perform ice hockey coach duties is dedication. Ice hockey coaches responsibilities require that "coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning." Ice hockey coaches also use dedication in their role according to a real resume snippet: "inspired athletes to show teamwork, dedication, cooperation, and leadership on and off the court. "
Interpersonal skills. ice hockey coaches are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to ice hockey coach responsibilities, because "being able to relate to athletes helps coaches and scouts foster positive relationships with their current players and in recruiting potential players." An ice hockey coach resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "develop interpersonal and leadership skills, skill development, and game strategies. "
Leadership skills. For certain ice hockey coach responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of an ice hockey coach rely on this skill, as "coaches must motivate, develop, and direct athletes to help them reach their potential." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what ice hockey coaches do: "coached a field hockey team utilizing leadership and verbal-communication to encourage students to improve individual and team performance. "
The three companies that hire the most ice hockey coachs are:
- Montgomery County Public Schools4 ice hockey coaches jobs
- The Salvation Army2 ice hockey coaches jobs
- Rink Management Services
1 ice hockey coaches jobs
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Ice hockey coach vs. Assistant baseball coach
An assistant baseball coach is primarily in charge of performing support tasks for baseball coaches and managers. Among their responsibilities include managing players and providing their needs, taking part in facilitating exercises and training, monitoring the progress of players, and liaising with physicians and other staff. They may also perform clerical tasks such as overseeing the budgets and schedules, handling inventory and procurement procedures, responding to calls and correspondence, producing reports, and running errands for the coach.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between ice hockey coaches and assistant baseball coach. For instance, ice hockey coach responsibilities require skills such as "cpr," "ice hockey," "on-ice," and "usa hockey." Whereas a assistant baseball coach is skilled in "baseball program," "field maintenance," "hitters," and "assist head." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Assistant baseball coaches really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $44,581. Comparatively, ice hockey coaches tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $48,188.The education levels that assistant baseball coaches earn slightly differ from ice hockey coaches. In particular, assistant baseball coaches are 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an ice hockey coach. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Ice hockey coach vs. Assistant coach
An assistant coach's role is to provide administrative and organizational support to a coach and team of athletes. Most of the tasks will depend upon the coach's directions. However, their responsibilities primarily revolve around arranging schedules of team events and practices, responding to calls and inquiries, producing and organizing documentation, and taking part in the recruitment and budgeting process of the team. It is also an assistant coach's responsibility to keep records of all players and personnel involved, including data and progress reports.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, ice hockey coach responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "student athletes," "ice hockey," "on-ice," and "usa hockey." Meanwhile, an assistant coach has duties that require skills in areas such as "assist head," "soccer," "volleyball," and "softball." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Assistant coaches earn a lower average salary than ice hockey coaches. But assistant coaches earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $46,911. Additionally, ice hockey coaches earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $48,188 annually.In general, assistant coaches achieve similar levels of education than ice hockey coaches. They're 0.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Ice hockey coach vs. Assistant softball coach
An assistant softball coach performs various support tasks to assist a softball coach and team. Their responsibilities usually include setting up and preparing equipment and facilities, arranging schedules, coordinating transportation and other services for the players, and purchasing supplies as necessary. They also help in facilitating warm-up exercises and drills, providing one-on-one guidance to players, implementing policies and regulations, and maintaining practice records. Together with the softball coach, they monitor the players' progress and develop strategies to hone their skills as an individual and team.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from ice hockey coach resumes include skills like "cpr," "ice hockey," "on-ice," and "usa hockey," whereas an assistant softball coach is more likely to list skills in "softball program," "assist head," "varsity softball," and "travel arrangements. "
Assistant softball coaches earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $44,435. Comparatively, ice hockey coaches have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $48,188.Most assistant softball coaches achieve a similar degree level compared to ice hockey coaches. For example, they're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Ice hockey coach vs. Assistant basketball coach
An assistant basketball coach helps in the basketball team's conceptualization and guidance to enhance their play and coordination on the court. The assistant basketball coach works closely with the head coach and provides all the necessary information needed to develop plays. There are instances where the assistant coach will research opponent players, coaches, and their strengths and weaknesses. The effectiveness of the team relies heavily on both the players and the team of coaches.
Types of ice hockey coach
Updated January 8, 2025











