Evidence Base for Developing a Long-term Player Development Strategy in Ice Hockey: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize the available scientific evidence that may contribute to the development of a long-term player development strategy in ice hockey. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a search was undertaken in two international databases (Scopus and Web of Science) to identify studies reporting data relevant to long-term athlete development. A total of 49 potential articles were identified, of which 3 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis, representing 229 participants from Australia, Germany, and Portugal. The methodological quality of all included studies was rated as strong. The findings consistently supported later specialization and highlighted the positive effects of participation in multiple sports during childhood and early adolescence. In addition, strong social support, positive developmental experiences, and higher educational attainment were identified as factors associated with elite athletic success. The findings provide an initial evidence base that may contribute to the development of evidence-informed long-term player development strategies in ice hockey and highlight the need for further sport-specific research.