NHL hockey jobs go far beyond playing on the ice. While fans often think of players and coaches, careers in the NHL also include roles in media, technology, health, marketing, analytics, and business operations that support teams every day. From game day production to player safety and fan engagement, these professionals keep the league running.
This guide breaks down real NHL careers, what each role involves, and how people actually get hired. You do not need to be a former player to work in the NHL. Whether you are a student, a career changer, or looking for part-time NHL jobs to get started, this article explains your options, the skills teams value, and how to begin building a career in professional hockey.
What Types of NHL Hockey Jobs Are Available?
NHL teams and the hockey league hire both full-time employees and part-time staff. Some roles are year-round, while others are tied to the season or game days. This creates multiple entry points into jobs in the NHL.
You can find NHL jobs in areas such as:
- Media and content production, where staff manage videos, photos, and social platforms
- Technology roles, including app development and data support
- Player health and safety, including medical and training staff
- Ticket sales and fan engagement teams
- Scouting and hockey operations
- Front office and business management
These opportunities exist at both the team and league levels, making NHL team jobs available across many departments.
On-Ice vs Off-Ice NHL Careers
The table below shows the main differences between on-ice and off-ice careers.
| Career Type | Examples | Experience Needed | Who It Fits Best |
| On-Ice Roles | Players, coaches, referees | Years of playing or coaching experience | Former athletes and coaches |
| Off-Ice Roles | Marketing staff, NHL scouts, trainers, tech specialists | Education and professional skills | Business, media, and tech professionals |
On-ice roles usually require extensive experience in playing or coaching. Many start in youth, junior, or college hockey before reaching the NHL.
Off-ice roles make up most NHL careers. You do not need to play hockey to work in the NHL. Many professionals build hockey careers in business, media, technology, or health.
8 Exciting Careers in the NHL Worth Pursuing
These roles show different ways to build NHL hockey jobs across departments. Each career supports team success in a unique way, from protecting player health to engaging fans and managing team operations. Whether you are interested in media, technology, scouting, or leadership, these options highlight how diverse careers in the NHL truly are.
1. Central League Spotter
Central league spotters play a critical role in protecting player health and enforcing league safety standards during games.
Key responsibilities include:
- Monitoring games for signs of concussion or serious injury
- Communicating concerns to on-site medical staff in real time
- Supporting NHL concussion protocols and player safety rules
Most spotters have backgrounds in athletic training or sports medicine, and the role requires strong focus and clear communication.
2. NHL Live Social Contributor
NHL Live social contributors help bring fans closer to the action through real-time, behind-the-scenes content.
Key responsibilities include:
- Attending games and capturing photos and short videos
- Posting live content across team social media channels
- Highlighting fan experiences and game-day moments
Many of these are part-time NHL jobs tied to home games, making flexibility and availability essential
3. Social Media Coordinator
Social media coordinators manage a team’s digital presence and daily fan engagement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Writing and scheduling posts across multiple platforms
- Responding to fans and monitoring online conversations
- Tracking engagement metrics and maintaining brand voice
As fan interaction continues to move online, digital media roles remain a growing part of NHL careers.
4. App Developer
Technology is a major part of the modern fan experience, and NHL teams rely on skilled developers to support it.
Key responsibilities include:
- Building and maintaining team or league mobile applications
- Testing updates and fixing technical issues
- Improving performance, usability, and security
This role typically requires a background in software development, engineering, or IT.
5. Manager of In-Game Communications
Managers of in-game communications help shape how fans and media experience each NHL game.
Key responsibilities include:
- Preparing statistics, press notes, and game summaries
- Coordinating storylines and information for broadcasters
- Supporting media relations during live games
Strong writing, research, and organization skills are critical for success in this role.
6. NHL Scout
Scouts are responsible for identifying and evaluating future NHL talent.
Key responsibilities include:
- Attending games across junior, college, and international leagues
- Evaluating player skills, development, and potential
- Reporting findings to team management
Most NHL scouts work their way up from lower leagues, and the role involves heavy travel and long schedules.
7. NHL General Manager
General managers oversee the big-picture operations of an NHL team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing player contracts, trades, and roster decisions
- Hiring and supervising coaching and front-office staff
- Overseeing long-term team strategy and operations
This is a senior leadership role that typically follows years of front-office experience.
8. NHL Head Coach
Head coaches are responsible for leading the team on and off the ice.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing game strategies and systems
- Running practices and preparing players for competition
- Building team culture and leadership
Most NHL head coaches advance through youth, junior, or college hockey before reaching the professional level.
How to Start a Career Working in the NHL
Breaking into NHL team jobs takes planning and patience. Focus on building skills that match your career goals.
Education and Backgrounds That Align With NHL Jobs
Helpful degrees include:
- Sports management for front office and operations roles
- Business or marketing for sales and sponsorship teams
- Communications or journalism for media roles
- Data analytics for performance and fan insights
- Health sciences for training and safety roles
- Computer science for tech positions
Each degree supports different NHL hockey jobs across departments.
Entry-Level and Part-Time NHL Opportunities
Many professionals begin with part-time roles that help them gain experience and make connections. Common entry-level options include:
- Game-day staff – These employees help with ticket scanning, fan seating, and crowd support during games. This role builds customer service experience.
- Media assistants – Assistants support photographers, video teams, and social staff with content creation and uploads.
- Ticket sales reps – These staff members contact fans, sell season packages, and support promotions. This role builds sales skills.
- Event support teams – Staff help set up promotions, fan activations, and community events hosted by the NHL team.
These roles allow you to learn how teams operate from the inside. Over time, they can lead to full-time opportunities.
Skills the NHL Looks For
Across all departments, teams look for strong professional skills:
- Communication skills – You must share ideas clearly with coworkers and fans.
- Attention to detail – Small mistakes can impact game operations or media coverage.
- Teamwork – Most roles require close collaboration with staff across departments.
- Time management – Game schedules and deadlines require strong organization.
- Adaptability – The fast-paced environment changes quickly during the season.
- Strong work ethic – Teams value employees who show commitment and effort.
These skills help you stand out when applying for NHL jobs.
NHL Internships as a Career Entry Point
NHL internships are one of the most effective ways to break into professional hockey. Interns work directly with team departments such as marketing, analytics, community relations, and game operations. This gives you real, hands-on experience instead of just classroom knowledge.
During an internship, you support daily tasks, help on game days, and learn how an NHL team functions behind the scenes. You also build relationships with full-time staff who can recommend you for future roles.
For many professionals, an internship is the first step toward a long-term career in the NHL.
How Competitive Are NHL Team Jobs?
Jobs in the NHL are competitive, but they are achievable with the right approach. Many candidates apply for NHL team jobs, so building experience and making industry connections are important. Most professionals do not start at the top. They work their way up over time through smaller roles.
Common career paths often include:
- Starting in college sports: Many professionals begin their careers in college athletic departments. These roles help build experience in media, operations, and event management.
- Working in minor leagues: Jobs in lower hockey leagues provide hands-on experience and exposure to team operations. This is a common stepping stone to NHL careers.
- Entering through media roles: Some professionals start as writers, broadcasters, or content creators covering hockey. This helps build industry visibility and connections.
- Networking within the hockey community: Staying active at games, events, and industry meetups helps you learn about job openings early. Personal connections often lead to interviews.
- Earning internal promotions: Many NHL teams promote from within. Strong performance in entry-level or part-time roles can lead to bigger opportunities.
While competition is high, persistence matters. Gaining experience, building relationships, and applying consistently increase your chances of working in the NHL.
Your Path to Working in the NHL Starts Here
Building a career in the NHL takes time, patience, and consistent effort. Most professionals working in NHL hockey roles start in entry-level or part-time roles and advance by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and staying active in the hiring process.
Whether your goal is media, technology, scouting, or leadership, there are real and achievable paths into professional hockey. JobsInSports.com connects candidates with verified careers in the NHL across teams and leagues. By creating a free account, you can explore current openings, set personalized job alerts, and apply as soon as new NHL jobs are posted.
If you are serious about working in the NHL, register today, upload your resume, and take the next step toward a long-term career in sports and entertainment.
FAQs
Do you need to play hockey to work in the NHL? +
No. Most NHL jobs are off-ice roles in areas like marketing, media, technology, health, analytics, and operations. Playing experience is not required for most positions.
What types of part-time NHL jobs are available? +
Part-time NHL jobs include game-day staff, social media contributors, media assistants, event support teams, and ticket sales roles. These positions often serve as entry points into full-time careers.
How competitive are NHL team jobs? +
NHL team jobs are competitive, but many professionals start in entry-level or part-time roles, internships, college sports, or minor leagues before advancing to NHL positions.
What degrees are helpful for NHL careers? +
Degrees in sports management, business, marketing, communications, analytics, health sciences, and computer science align well with different NHL career paths.
