Top NHL Cities to Work In for Hockey Jobs

Working in hockey – specifically the NHL – is a dream come true for many people. But if you want to fulfill your goal of getting paid to work in hockey, you’ll have to take the career trajectory seriously.

Part of that is figuring out the best NHL cities to work in so that you can make sure you’re building a network and focusing your job hunt in the right areas. You also want to make sure you’re in a location where your hockey career has room for upward growth.

That’s why we’ve put together this list. It highlights five of the best NHL cities to work in to help you get started with your job search. Keep reading to learn more.

New York City is home to the New York Rangers. They’re one of the original six NHL teams and have one of the largest fanbases in the league today. The city is also home to the Islanders, which makes this the rare location where you have the opportunity to work for two professional ice hockey franchises.

Top Five NHL Cities

1. NYC, New York

Both of these teams have been successful in making the playoffs over the past few years, and there’s a strong intra-city rivalry between them. Becoming part of this could be a dream way to start your career in the NHL.

2. Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton is another major city with a huge support base for NHL hockey. If you’re unfamiliar with it, Hamilton is one of the most populated cities in Canada. It’s a great place to start getting the experience that you will need to get hired by an NHL team later in your career.

One thing to note is that Hamilton doesn’t have a professional NHL team yet. But on the Map of NHL cities for expansion, it may be the league’s first option. You could get in on the ground floor by establishing yourself in the city now.

3. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is another place that makes every NHL cities map. It’s home to the Detroit Red Wings – the American NHL team with the most Stanley Cup wins. This makes it one of the best NHL cities to visit and work in for Americans.

As a highly successful team, the Red Wings only hire the best. But if you can get in with the team, you could see a higher initial salary, and get the experience you need to establish a career in professional hockey for years to come.

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is another great place to look at as you think about cities with NHL teams. They’re home to the Penguins, a team that’s been making steady progress in recent years and could quickly become one of the premier contenders in the league.

Pittsburgh also has a relatively low cost of living when compared to other cities in the United States. That could make it easier for you to get by on a reduced income while you’re pursuing your dream and building a sustainable career in the NHL.

5. Toronto, Ontario

No list of the best NHL cities to work in would be complete without mentioning Toronto. It’s home to the Maple Leafs, which is the NHL team with the second-most Stanley Cup victories. 

Toronto is also a massive city in general and a great place to get experience while you work towards your goals in professional hockey. Ontario is also already a prime spot as an expansion destination, so we may even see another NHL team come to the region soon.

How to Find the Right NHL Job

NHL jobs are highly competitive. There are many more people who want to work in them than there are available positions. This means that if you want to get hired for the job of your dreams, you will have to do more than look at NHL teams by city.

Here are some step-by-step instructions you can follow to find the right NHL job.

Choose a Path

First, choose the type of NHL job that you want to start building toward. You could work in marketing and sales, or you could be an assistant coach or an equipment manager.

All of these positions require a different set of skills and experience. That’s why it’s important to make a decision upfront – so that you can start building a resume that will qualify you for that position specifically.

Just be mindful of the fact that not everyone who wants to work in the NHL gets to do so. It can be good to choose a career path that you would be happy with working outside of professional ice hockey if you cannot find your dream job.

Get Qualified

Once you know what path you want to take, it’s time to start gaining the qualifications you need to make it happen. 

This can vary based on the type of NHL job you want, but will likely involve going to college and spending some time working in ice hockey at a lower level.

Create a Network

As you’re getting the qualifications you need to get hired, try to start building a professional network as well. You can do this online through social media or in person by attending NHL events in your niche.

Try to get creative and use all of the opportunities at your disposal to start building connections in the NHL. The more that you have, the likelier you are to know someone who can put in a good word for you with a team that you want to work for.

Apply for Positions with JobsInSports.com

Once you’re ready to start applying for NHL jobs, JobsInSports.com has you covered. We maintain an up-to-date list of the latest jobs in professional sports and can notify you as soon as new opportunities become available.

That way, you’re always one of the first people to apply for a new positions in the NHL. It could be just what you need to land an interview.

So why wait? Create an account with us today to get started.