Stress and challenge: This is how player recruitment works in ice hockey!

Stress and challenge: This is how player recruitment works in ice hockey!

In the current phase of the win2day ICE Hockey League Only two teams are still active, while numerous others are already taking the first steps to prepare for the upcoming 2025/26 season. However, this presents a variety of challenges for sports managers and scouting teams. While many fans express their opinions on team composition, few are aware of the complex processes behind player recruitment.

Bernd Freimüller, an experienced scout, emphasizes that the tasks of chief scouts, sports managers and general managers are strongly intertwined. These professionals must closely monitor the player market, analyze prices and carry out both preliminary negotiations and final contracts. In the ICE Hockey League, the involvement of coaches in player selection is remarkably strong, which is not always the case in other leagues. This dynamic can be particularly difficult when there are misunderstandings about responsibilities, as was the case with Innsbruck after a disappointing season.

The role of the agents

Agents play a crucial role in hockey by creating a market for their players. However, this task is not always clear, as offers can also be fictitious. Sports managers therefore need to be able to keep track and decide whether they need to adapt their own offerings. A specific example described shows how a player was represented by one agent while another agent made his client a better offer from Slovakia. Cases like Will Riedell's, offered by multiple agents, highlight the complexity in player representation.

In order to increase transparency in the player market, players in the DEL2 may only be placed through agencies and consultants licensed by the league. This is intended to improve collaboration between clubs and licensed advisors and puts the interests of the players and the league first. However, players have the opportunity to represent themselves provided they do not seek outside support.

The search for talent

The search for a “one center” or “one defenseman” in ice hockey is much more complex than it is often portrayed. The definition of these key players varies and is often not consistent, leading to misunderstandings. Sports managers face a variety of challenges and stressors when assembling teams. These aspects make the job of managers in the league a demanding but also exciting challenge.

At the same time, it deals with ISMA agency with the processing of personal data in the sports industry. The focus is on transparent information about processing and the rights of users. The agency is committed to protecting the interests of players and currently offers online services aimed at optimizing customer relationships.

Overall, it shows that the world of ice hockey is not only characterized by sporting competition, but also by numerous organizational and strategic aspects that often remain in the background. Current developments in the league make it clear that the coming months will be crucial for both players and those responsible.