Introduction/Background Elite ice hockey is a highly physiological demanding team sport of intermittent character and high levels of performance are required over 6-8 months. There are benefits by designing a training program that includes the manipulation of training through its periodization and programming to achieve peak performance at set dates. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in training program design between higher- and lower-performing teams in the Swedish Hockey League. Method Four differently performing teams were selected from a performance ranking system. The teams were divided into a higher-performing and lower-performing group. After receiving their verbal approval, an information document and a consent form were digitally sent to the teams’ representatives to obtain their written consent. Subsequently, the teams received a survey consisting of 177 questions that contained single, multiple, ranking and graded-choice questions about their training program design. Intra- and inter-group differences were analyzed with a descriptive statistical calculation of percentage. Results The intra-group analysis revealed a 77,9% difference in the lower-performing team group and 74,5% difference between teams in the higher-performing group. The inter-group difference was found to be 92,7%. The highest amount of inter-group difference (60,5%) was found in questions with no intra-group similarity, whereas 1,1% reveled intra-group different but intra-group similar results. Conclusion This study shows that there are significant differences in training program design between higher- and lower-performing teams as well as significant differences between teams in the lower-performing and higher-performing-group. Some discussed results seem to indicate that higher-performing teams tend to focus more on power, maximal strength and endurance training as well as on its individualization. However, due to the complexity of elite ice hockey, the intra- and inter-group heterogeneity and the shortcomings of the study design, these variables cannot be taken as team key performance indicators.

Discovering the crucial factors that contribute to goal success in sports analytics, this thesis aimsto utilize Random Forest classification to predict the outcome of shots and pre-shot events in powerplay situations. Through three experiments, the study evaluated the use of shots, shots with pre-shotevents, and shots with pre-shot events over sections. The first experiment used only shots, while thesecond experiment focused on shots with pre-shot events, where both compared it with shots over anexpected goal value of 0.08 or higher. The third experiment examined shots with pre-shot events acrossdifferent sections. Our findings demonstrated that the models in our experiments achieved accuracyscores ranging from 78% to 96% and F1 scores between 0% and 24%. Notably, the models in experiment3 demonstrated lower recall scores. The feature importance analysis revealed that pre-shotevents played a significant role in the predictive models of the second and third experiments, indicatingtheir substantial impact on the outcomes. A noteworthy conclusion arising from the discussion isthe recommendation for future research to conduct a more comprehensive exploration into the impactof pre-shot events, given their demonstrated significance in predicting goals. Such an investigation isdeemed necessary and justified.

Ice hockey, one of the most popular sports in the world, is a contact sport that is always associated with huge risks of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) resulting from high-velocity impacts. Although technology in player protection equipment has advanced over the years, mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) like concussion remain prevalent. Finite Element (FE) analysis presents a methodology to recreate accidents in an effort to study the effects of protective helmets and predict brain injuries. This study aimed at improving the response of an existing ice hockey helmet FE model during different impact conditions and reconstructing an ice hockey collision using FE simulations. First, the shear response of the Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) material for the helmet liner was improved by means of a single element simulation to replicate the experiments. Simulations of helmet drop tests were then performed to validate the helmet FE model. Two different designs of the helmet model were implemented, one with normal properties of the foam and the other with a softer foam. Actual cases of ice hockey accidents were then reconstructed using positioning and impact velocities as input from video analysis. As player to player collisions had not been reconstructed for ice hockey using two player models, it was decided to use two full body Human Body Models (HBMs) for the reconstruction. The biomechanical injury parameters for the accident reconstruction were plotted and compared with injury thresholds for concussion. The kinematic results achieved from the drop test simulations showed a considerable decrease in peak values for resultant accelerations, resultant rotational accelerations, and resultant rotational velocities. These results also exhibited better CORrelation and Analysis (CORA) scores than previously achieved. The biomechanical analysis of the accident reconstruction showed the strains in the brain for the concussed player to be more than the threshold for concussion, which confirms the validity of the reconstruction approach. The results of this study show an improved response of the helmet FE model under different impact conditions. They also present a methodology for ice hockey accident reconstruction using two full body HBMs.

Studien handlade om att ta reda på vilka faktorer det är som påverkar en människas val till att börja och fortsätta spela ishockey. Författaren blev inspirerad av Bourdieu och hans kapitala teorier och fältet. Studiens syfte är att ta del av intervjupersonernas berättelser om beslutet till att börja spela och fortsätta med ishockey i Sverige. Studien grundar sig på en hermeneutisk ansats, studien samlade in data genom intervjuer då 5 personer intervjuades. Resultatet i studien var att intervjupersonernas sociala, ekonomiska, kulturella kapital och intervjupersonernas sociala omgivning alltså deras fält bidrog till att de valde att börja och fortsätta att spela hockey.

Title: The measurement of loading forces acting on sole of the foot in ice-hockey skates and their casuistic signification Abstract This thesis describe a new construction of measuring device, which is able to detect the loading forces acting on the skates during ice-hockey. This device was calibrated and validated for detection of loading force vector, bending force vector and point of force action on the skate blade. For some cases was described a casuistic mean of measurement by new measuring device "measuring skates" and former device Footscan Insole®. The measurement of loading forces during ice-hockey may be used in practise of skating technique, predictive or protective biomechanics. Future use is also research of discomfort in ice-hockey boots or sportsengeneering. Aim of a study: Aim of a study is projected, calibrated and validated a measuring device able to detect interraction in system foot-skates-surface. After validation is neccessary to prove the practical benefit of this device. This device should make possible to find out the origin of discomfort during ice-hockey skates use. Methods: After a critical review the prototype of measuring skate was constructed. The measuring skate was calibrated a nd validated. In contend of pilot study was done the experiment to proof the casuistic mean of...

The aim of this research was to produce a reliable finite element model of a helmet, that could be used to simulate approval tests as well as impacts to investigate the safety offered. A 2D and 3D mesh was generated from the CAD file of an Easton Synergy 380 with HyperWorks, and then checked referring to standard parameter values. A few specimens cut from the liner were tested with the Instron Electropuls E3000 (Instron, High Wycombe, Great Britain) machine to determine Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and the density of the EPP. The numerical model was characterised with appropriate materials with Ls-PrePost, such as ABS for the shell, EPP for the liner and steel for the impact anvil. The foam was implemented both with the *063_CRUSHABLE_FOAM and the *126_MODIFIED_HONEYCOMB card, in two different configurations. The helmet model was coupled with a finite element model of a HIII head form and three impact scenarios were set up. Backward, lateral and pitched impact were simulated and results were compared with those obtained from the experimental tests carried on at the MIPS. The two configurations were tested in all the three scenarios. The correlation between numerical and experimental results was evaluated by analysing the linear and rotational acceleration, and the rotational velocity, recorded by the accelerometer positioned inside the HIII headform. The parameters used were the Pearson correlation coefficient, the peak linear acceleration score, the shape of the curves, the time occurrence of peaks and the percentage of the difference between them. The first configuration showed good correlation scores (>85%) for the backward and lateral impact, for the rotational velocity and acceleration, while lower values were recorded for the pitched impact simulation. Lower values (70.88% and 77.76%) were obtained for the peak linear acceleration score, which stress the need for modifications of the contact definition in Ls-PrePost or a more detailed material testing. Worse results were recorded for the second configuration, but the smaller computational time required suggests that more attempts should be done in this direction.

Varför är det viktigt att undersöka på vilka sätt maskulinitetsideal i svensk ishockey har ändrats över tid? Den här frågan har flera svar. I den här uppsatsen har jag haft ambitionen att relatera maskulinitetsideal till svensk ishockeys utveckling åren 1969-1976 i ett vidare perspektiv. Under dessa år genomgick svensk ishockey många förändringar, men den största var förmodligen skiftet från att vara en amatörsport till att bli en professionell. Genom att studera hur förväntningarna på spelare ändrades under den här tiden, kan man bilda en förståelse för hur professionaliseringen av sporten påverkade enskilda spelare. Detta har i sin tur gett mig kunskap om hur ideal om rent spel, fair play, fick en annan innebörd i takt med professionaliseringsprocessen. Maskulinitet definieras i den här uppsatsen som förväntningar, alltså hur manliga ishockeyspelare förväntades uppträda och uppföra sig såväl på som utanför isen. Detta till skillnad mot en stor del av den tidigare forskningen, som ofta lagt fokus på den manliga kroppen för att undersöka maskulinitet. Jag har låtit mig inspireras av R.W Connells teori om hegemonisk maskulinitet, som menar att maskulinitet skapas i sociala interaktioner mellan människor och kan ändras över tid.Resultaten visar att förväntningar på spelarna ändrades över tid. Från att ha förväntats vara återhållsamma, lojala lagspelare ändrades maskulinitetsidealen mot att handla om ambition, äregirighet, individualism och fokus på resultat. Fair play gick från något "inbyggt" till att bli något som fick adderas i efterhand, något som visade sig inte minst genom sk. fair play-troféer som började bli vanligt förekommande under 1970-talet. Fair play blev någonting man i högre grad blev belönad för, istället för att vara en underförstådd del av spelet.Nyckelord: masculinity, ice hockey, hockey, sport, fair play, expectations, maskulinitet, ishockey, Connell, förväntningar / Why is it important to investigate in what ways ideals of masculinity in ice hockey has changed over time? This question has several answers. In this essay, I search to relate the masculinity ideals into a wider perspective connected to the Swedish ice hockey’s development during the years between 1969-1976. During these years, Swedish ice hockey went through many changes, but the most important was probably the shift from being an amateur sport to become professional. By looking at how the expectations on the players was changing in relation to that, one can earn more knowledge of how the professionalism process affected individuals. Through this, I have also been able to see how ideals of fair play had a different meaning in line with the professionalism process. Masculinity in this essay is defined as expectations, more exactly how ice hockey playing men were supposed to act and behave both on and off the ice. That in contrast to a lot of earlier research, which often has focused on the male body to investigate masculinity. I have been inspired by R.W Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity, who argues that masculinity is something that is created in social interactions between people and also can be changed from time to time. The result shows that expectations on male ice hockey players was changing over time. From having been expected to be restrained, loyal and a team player, the masculinity ideals changed to include ambition, indivudualism and focus on results. The ideal of fair play went from being something "built in” to something that had to be added on. This was depicted by so-called fair play trophies that began to become common during the 1970s. Fair play was something you were rewarded for, instead of being somewhat implied.Keywords: masculinity, ice hockey, hockey, sport, fair play, expectations, maskulinitet, ishockey, Connell, förväntningar

The purpose of this study is to enlighten and discuss if there is any possible differences of how female ice-hockey players experienced norms and the masculine culture within ice-hockey. By asking women from three generations, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, this study wants to find out what these differences might be. Six female ice-hockey players, two born in each decade are interviewed in this study. The study have examined what norms were apparent and how these were dealt with as female ice-hockey players. During what conditions could young girls play ice-hockey and how were they met by people in that environment. Furthermore, the study examines the differences of these experiences.    The primary result of the study shows that it´s a bigger difference between the experiences of the women born in the 1970s and 1980s than the difference between the ones born 1980s and 1990s. Primarily the differences are of how they were met and what others thought of women playing ice-hockey. The conditions of playing ice-hockey have, throughout the generations, stayed the same as well as the norms within the sport.

With the constant challenge of successfully appealing to new customers andnurturing the relationships that sports organizations have created with theircustomers, well-thought-out and adapted strategies are required incommunication. Since organizations from the sports industry are characterizedby great competition from other organizations but also from other industriessuch as the entertainment industry, a clear and well-thought-out approach isneeded for how customers are to be engaged and build loyalty. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to research how Swedish ice hockey organizationscultivate relationships with their devoted and occasional fans and whichstrategies they use to influence them as well as the impact the fan engagementhas on their loyalty. The empirical findings in this research derived from a qualitative researchapproach, specifically utilizing semi-structured interviews. The focus of theresearch was on four ice hockey organizations from the top two tiers inSweden, enabling a comprehensive examination of the subject matter. Thenthe results from the interviews that were carried out together with the presentedliterature review were discussed and analyzed to compare and distinguishsimilarities and differences. The conclusion of the degree project drew attention to a clear differentiationbetween occasional and devoted fans, where it appeared that they wereengaged by different factors, namely experience and sporting aspects. Byleveraging this insight and following the modern trends and digitization,organizations can create opportunities to convert new fans into more loyal andengaged supporters and then nurture the relationship on a deeper level.

Countries invest a large amount of money in talent development and talent identification. The Swedish ice hockey federation is reorganizing and evaluating the national team selection system. Relative age effect (RAE) refers to a selection bias when relatively older athletes get selected because maturity can be mistaken for talent. This study aimed to examine the selection patterns in the Swedish ice hockey national team and see if there is a relationship between selected players and their birth month. Studies on selections have been conducted in Canadian ice hockey and different leagues, but no one has investigated selections in national team ice hockey.  A Quantitative approach was used, to analyze the sample from this retrospective study.The sample contained 384 players that has been selected for the Swedish youth and junior national team once or more from five different cohorts from 1997-2001. The statistical analyses were conducted through 𝑋!test of association, 𝑋! goodness of fit and factorial ANOVA. The significance level was set to £0,05. Cramers V and h2 was used to measure the effect size.  The results showed that 78% of selected players got re-selected, and most players were entering the system early. A relationship between players birth distribution and selection for the Swedish youth and junior national team was obtained, more players selected were born in the first half of the year. No significant difference in birth distribution was found among the players that played in the World Junior Championship (WJC) in 2017-2021. 92 players were selected for the world junior championship (WJC) rosters. 139 spots were available and 58 of these were taken by underaged players. Underaged players showed a significant difference in birth distribution. Underaged players born in the first half of the year were more likely to be selected as underaged for the U20 WJC rosters compared to their relatively younger peers. No significant difference was found in players height and weight between the four birth quarters.  In conclusion, the Swedish ice hockey national team has adopted a collectivistic approach, players could enter the system at a later stage and still be selected to play in the U20 WJC. Most players are initially selected at age 16, which can indicate that the system is closed. Differences in players birth distribution were found and players born early in the year are more likely to be selected for the national team, however in the WJC squads the birth distribution evens out. / Länder investerar mycket pengar i talangutveckling och talangidentifikation. Svenska ishockeyförbundet genomför en omorganisation och ska utvärdera systemet för landslagsuttagningar. Studiens syfte var att undersöka selektions mönstren inom svensk ishockeys ungdoms- och juniorlandslag, och se om relativ ålder påverkar vem som blir uttagen till landslaget. Studier på uttagningar inom ishockey har tidigare genomförts i Kanada i olika ligor, men ingen har undersökt landslagsuttagningar inom ishockey. RAE hänvisas till en urvalsbias, där relativt äldre atleter blir uttagna på grund av att mognad kan missta sig som talang. Spelarnas position undersöktes också för att se om det finns några skillnader i uttagningar mellan olika positioner.  Studien utgick från en kvantitativ ansats, för att analysera landslagsuttagningarna genomfördes en retrospektiv studie. Urvalet bestod i 384 spelare som blev uttagna en gång eller fler, från fem olika generationer 1997–2001. 𝑋!test of association and 𝑋!goodness of fit, och factorial ANOVA användes för att genomföra dataanalyserna. Signifikansnivån sattes till £ 0,05. Cramers V och h2 användes för att mäta effektstorleken.  Resultatet visar att 78% av de uttagna spelarna blir omvalda, de flesta spelarna kommer in i systemet tidigt. Ett samband mellan spelares födelsedistribution och uttagning till det svenska ungdoms- och juniorlandslaget erhölls. Fler uttagna spelare var födda under det första halvåret (Q1 och Q2), ingen signifikant skillnad i födelsedistribution erhölls bland de uttagna spelarna för junior världsmästerskapet (JVM) i ishockey, åren 2017–2021. 92 spelare blev uttagna till JVM trupperna. Totalt fanns 139 platser tillgängliga i de svenska JVM trupperna, 58 platser fylldes av underåriga spelare. Underåriga spelare visade en signifikant skillnad i födelsedistribution. Underåriga spelare födda under det första halvåret hade större sannolikhet att bli uttagna som underåriga för U20 JVM trupperna. Ingen signifikant skillnad upptäcktes i spelarnas längd och vikt mellan de olika födelse kvartalen.  Slutsats, svensk ishockeys landslagsuttagningar har en kollektivistisk approach. Det var möjligt för spelare att komma in i systemet senare och fortfarande ha möjligheten att representera Sverige i U20 VM. De flesta spelarna blir uttagna vid 16 års ålder, vilket kan indikera att systemet är stängt. Skillnader i spelarnas födelsedistribution hittades, och spelare tidigt födda på året var över representerade i landslagen, men i junior VM truppen jämnade åldersdistributionen ut sig.