Beyond the Ice: Sports to Complement Youth Hockey

I often get asked which sports would best complement hockey when coaching youth hockey players. Studies have shown that participation in multiple sports helps with developing athletic skills while decreasing the chances of burnout. The sports I recommend the most are lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, and ultimate frisbee.

Let me be clear: I do not recommend competitive travel/tournament team spring or summer hockey programs, as I have found they are largely devoid of any great experience or benefit. The only spring hockey I find worthwhile are local programs that allow for a single practice and/or game in a low-key format, enabling players to work on skill-building while also playing another sport. A summer camp/weekly skill session and a spring version are also great options to keep players building their skills during the off-season.

Played Primarily During Hockey Off-Season:

Complementary Team Sports:

• • Lacrosse: Traditionally played in the spring with summer programs common, lacrosse pairs nicely as an off-season sport. Sharing similarities with hockey, lacrosse involves the use of a stick, requires quick hand movements, and physical play. The sport's fast pace and emphasis on offensive and defensive transitions can help hockey players develop better agility and positional awareness.
  • Ultimate Frisbee: Ultimate frisbee is traditionally played in the fall and another season in the spring/summer, making it an ideal off-season sport. Another fast-paced, non-contact team game that combines elements of soccer and football, Ultimate frisbee develops endurance, agility, and hand-eye coordination. Teamwork and strategizing quick decision-making and good communication skills are embedded in the game performance, which is directly transferred to Ice hockey skills.

Complementary Individual Sports:

• • Tennis: Played mostly in the spring and summer. Tennis aids in developing lateral movement, hand-eye coordination, and quick reflexes. The one-on-one competitive nature of tennis also enhances mental toughness and focus, beneficial traits for hockey players.
  • Track and Field: Mostly in the spring, with some summer programs. Engaging in track events improves overall speed, endurance, and explosive power. These physical attributes are directly transferable to hockey, where quick bursts of speed and sustained energy are crucial.
  • Swimming: Can be done year-round, but most areas offer it in the spring and/or summer. Swimming is a low-impact activity that promotes endurance and full-body strength. It aids in muscle recovery and reduces the risk of injury. The breath control and rhythmic movements in swimming can also enhance a player's on-ice stamina and respiratory efficiency.

Played Primarily During Hockey Season:

Complementary Team Sports:

• • Soccer: Traditionally played in the fall at the same time hockey starts, so if you want hockey off-season work, you have to look for a soccer off-season program. Soccer emphasizes footwork, agility, and endurance. The strategic elements of soccer, such as spatial awareness and team coordination, closely mirror those in hockey.
  • Basketball: Played traditionally in the fall and winter at the same time hockey starts, so if you want hockey off-season work, you have to look for a basketball off-season program. Basketball enhances agility, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. The sport's emphasis on quick transitions between offense and defense mirrors the dynamic nature of hockey. Additionally, basketball players develop strategic thinking and teamwork, essential components of successful hockey play.
  • Field Hockey (Girls): Usually, it is held in autumn with hockey, so if you want off-season work for hockey, you will have to look out for field hockey off-season programs. Field hockey enhances hand-eye coordination, stick handling, and spatial awareness. Field hockey increases endurance, foot speed, and agility because one is continually moving about on a large field. Field hockey promotes tactics, teamwork, and passing, which translates seamlessly onto ice hockey-an excellent off-season sport for hockey players.
  • Football: Played in the fall and winter. It emphasize physicality, speed, agility, and teamwork, which translate well to hockey. However, the injury risks and scheduling conflicts with hockey season are factors to consider. 

Limited Benefit Sports:

While all sports are "beneficial" in some way, some are not really complementary to hockey.

• Baseball: Participating in baseball enhances hand-eye coordination.
• Golf: Golf helps with hand-eye coordination in a movement similar to using a hockey stick.
• Bowling: It only develops wrist and arm precision and coordination.

No Benefit Sports:

Beneficial only from the standpoint of "it's something different".

• Fishing
• Archery & Shooting
• Curling
• Wrestling

There are a lot of sports out there, I'm only listing the common ones, the uncommon ones usually offer limited to no complimentary benefit to hockey what so ever.