Abstract
The need to study Canadian minor hockey culture is made clear by extensive literature and media coverage reporting violence and aggression as undeniably rampant (e.g., Loughead & Leith, 2001), and consistent associations between this aggressive culture and decreased perceptions of sport enjoyment among youth (Petlitchkoff, 1993). Factors contributing to this increasingly aggressive culture include game atmosphere and parent involvement (Goldstein & Iso-Ahola, 2008). Thus, the purpose of the present study was to develop a comprehensive understanding of minor hockey culture by qualitatively examining perceptions of athlete enjoyment, game atmosphere, and parent involvement held by elite hockey insiders in Canadian minor hockey. Participants included ten elite Canadian hockey insiders (e.g., played OHL, NCAA; coached NHL), all of whom emerged from the Canadian minor hockey system and engaged in a 30-60 minute in-depth, semi-structured interview. Preliminary findings highlight the need to stop the over-professionalization of minor hockey, and the general need for parents to step back and play a more supportive role in their children's hockey.Acknowledgments: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada # 752-2010-1645; Ontario Graduate Scholarship Science & Technology