Abstract
Relative age effects describe the over-representation of those born earlier in their youth-sport selection year (i.e., the relatively older) on elite sports teams. However, in the long-term relatively younger players may be more sought after (Baker & Logan, 2007). This study extends prior research by exploring talent identification processes prior to professional sport. The Ontario, Western and Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues (i.e., OHL, WHL and QMJHL) are developmental leagues for professional hockey, drafting eligible players who are 15 years of age. Canadian players’ relative age, playing position, weight, height, and draft round were collected for each entry draft within the leagues (OHL: 1999-2012, N = 3537; WHL: 2011-2012, N = 415; QMJHL: 2003-2012, N = 2275). The overall sample of each league reflected significant relative age effects [OHL: χ2 = 873.7, p < 001, w = .49; WHL: χ2 = 126.3, p < 001, w = .55; QMJHL: χ2 = 186.8, p < 001, w = .28). There were also small, positive correlations between relative age and draft round found in each league (r < .12). With the exception of the QMJHL, athletes’ weight (r = -.09 to - .20, p < .05) and height (r = - .11 to - .17, p < .01) were also associated with earlier draft round selection. Further, centres were drafted earlier than other positions. These results showed a small advantage for relatively older youth in the CHL drafts, although height, weight and position were stronger predictors of draft round.
