Why Multi-Sport Athletes Make Better Hockey Players
In today’s youth hockey culture, many parents feel pressure to have their kids play year-round, believing that more ice time leads to greater success. But research consistently shows that early specialization—playing only hockey from a young age—actually does more harm than good.
The best hockey players in the world didn’t grow up playing hockey 12 months a year. They played baseball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, tennis, and other sports. They became great athletes first, and great hockey players because of it.
Here’s why multi-sport athletes have a major advantage over early hockey specialists and why parents should embrace a diverse athletic background for their kids.
Multi-Sport Athletes Have Fewer Injuries
Hockey is a high-risk sport for overuse injuries, especially when played year-round. Unlike running or jumping, skating is not a natural movement for the human body. It places unique stress on the hips, groin, and lower back—especially in growing athletes.
The Rising Epidemic of Hip Injuries in Hockey
A 2019 study in The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that over 50% of elite-level youth hockey players had signs of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a serious hip condition linked to repetitive skating movements.
A 2022 study in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that youth hockey players who specialized early (before age 12) were twice as likely to suffer hip and groin injuries compared to multi-sport athletes.
Hip surgeries among NHL players have increased fivefold in the last decade, largely due to overuse from excessive skating as youth players.
Multi-sport participation allows young athletes to develop strength and mobility in different movement patterns, reducing the risk of repetitive stress injuries in hockey. Sports like tennis, pickleball, badminton, and squash all help develop dynamic movement, footwork, and flexibility, which complement hockey performance while reducing overuse injuries.
Great Athletes Learn Faster & Adapt Quicker
One of the most common things I see as a coach is that the best hockey players aren’t just great at hockey—they’re great athletes.
Athletes who play multiple sports develop better coordination, balance, agility, and reaction time. They are exposed to different types of movement, decision-making, and game situations, which helps them become smarter, more adaptable hockey players. Research shows that multi-sport athletes have faster learning curves, meaning they take less time to pick up new skills and implement tactics.
Science Supports This:
A 2020 study from the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research found that multi-sport athletes develop better motor learning skills, allowing them to retain and execute new techniques faster than single-sport athletes.
A study on NHL draft picks found that over 87% of first-round picks played multiple sports growing up.
Top hockey players like Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and Connor McDavid all grew up playing multiple sports, which helped them become elite learners on the ice.
A well-rounded athlete makes a better hockey player. If your child is struggling with a skill, it’s not because they need more ice time—it might be because they need to develop their athletic foundation in other ways.
Burnout: If It’s Not Fun, They Won’t Stick With It
Too much structured hockey—camp after camp, drill after drill—turns the game into work rather than play. Studies show that when young athletes lose the fun factor, they start to mentally check out.
Burnout by the Numbers:
A 2019 study in Sports Health found that 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13, with lack of enjoyment being the number one reason.
A 2021 survey from The Aspen Institute found that youth athletes who played only one sport reported higher rates of stress and burnout than those who played multiple sports.
When NHL players were surveyed about their youth development, the majority said that playing multiple sports helped them stay engaged in hockey longer.
Kids need time away from the rink to stay hungry for the game. If hockey feels like a job at age 10, they won’t have the passion to compete when it really matters at age 18.
Do Youth Champions Become Adult Champions?
Many parents assume that if their child is excelling in hockey at age 10, they are on a direct path to elite success. But research across all sports shows that early dominance does not guarantee long-term success.
A 2013 study in Talent Development & Excellence found that less than 25% of youth sports champions (ages 10-12) went on to be elite-level athletes as adults.
A 2019 study in The Journal of Sports Sciences showed that many late-developing athletes surpass their early-specialized peers once they reach full physical maturity.
Studies in soccer, tennis, and basketball have found that early specialization often leads to a higher dropout rate due to injuries and burnout.
What does this mean for hockey parents? The best players at age 10 are not always the best players at age 18. The best long-term strategy is to keep kids engaged, healthy, and improving at their own pace.
The Role of Puberty and Growth Spurts
One of the biggest factors in long-term hockey development is how an athlete progresses through puberty. Many kids who dominate in youth hockey are simply more physically mature than their peers. But as everyone catches up, the advantage disappears.
At the same time, some of the best long-term athletes are those who were not the biggest or strongest early on but had the resilience and passion to stick with it. They might not have been the top player at 12, but by 18, they surpass their peers because they kept working hard and never lost their love for the game.
Growth spurts can also be a major challenge. A player who was a great skater at age 13 might struggle with coordination at 15 as their body changes. This is another reason why playing multiple sports is beneficial—it helps young athletes develop overall coordination and movement skills, making them more adaptable as they grow.
Final Thoughts: Balance is the Key
Hockey parents want the best for their kids, but the truth is:
More ice time isn’t always better.
Year-round hockey doesn’t guarantee success.
Early specialization increases injury risk and burnout.
Multi-sport athletes are stronger, more adaptable, and less likely to get injured. They learn new skills faster and have better overall coordination. They have fun, stay engaged, and avoid burnout.
If your child loves hockey, the best thing you can do is let them play other sports too. Give them the chance to become a great athlete first—and the hockey skills will take care of themselves.
A better athlete makes a better hockey player. Period.