Ice Hockey Coaching Jobs
Find Ice Hockey Coaching Opportunities Across the U.S.
Browse ice hockey coaching jobs at youth, high school, club, academy, junior, and college levels. Whether you’re stepping behind the bench for the first time or moving into a higher-competition program, this page breaks down common requirements, career paths, and real openings you can apply to right now.
Browse verified ice hockey coaching jobs in schools and club programs—no unrelated listings, no expired posts.
Browse ice hockey coaching jobs by state: Arizona • Colorado • California • Illinois
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Featured Ice Hockey Coaching Jobs
Explore real ice hockey coaching opportunities from schools, rinks, youth associations, academies, and competitive club organizations. These listings show the types of roles hockey coaches apply for at every level—positions where you can develop skating, skills, systems, and team culture.
- High School Varsity Head Coach – Chicago, IL
- Assistant Ice Hockey Coach – Denver, CO
- Goalie Coach / Skills Coach – Los Angeles, CA
- Youth Program Director – Phoenix, AZ
- Club / Travel Team Coach – Orange County, CA
What Ice Hockey Coaching Roles Are Available?
Hockey programs depend on coaches who can teach skating and skill development, build systems, manage benches, and create a positive team environment. Opportunities exist for first-time coaches and experienced leaders alike.
Head Ice Hockey Coach
Leads the entire program. Responsibilities include practice planning, systems and special teams, game management, player development, staff coordination, parent communication, and long-term culture building.
Assistant Ice Hockey Coach
Supports the head coach by running drills, teaching skills, managing lines and bench details, and helping with video, scouting, and team logistics. Great for building experience.
Specialty Coaches
Many programs hire specialists for:
- Goalie coaching
- Skating and edge work
- Power play / penalty kill
- Skills development (shooting, puck protection, small-area games)
These roles focus on targeted, high-impact development.
Youth & Development Coaches
Youth and developmental levels focus on fundamentals: skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, positioning, and building confidence. Ideal for coaches who love teaching and long-term development.
Club, Travel & Academy Coaches
Club and academy hockey can be highly competitive and often includes tournaments and travel. Coaches lead structured training, manage schedules, and help athletes prepare for higher levels.
College & Junior Hockey Roles
Programs employ head coaches, assistants, volunteer assistants, and graduate assistants. Responsibilities often include recruiting, practice planning, video, scouting, and player development.
Qualifications Needed to Coach Ice Hockey
Requirements vary by level and organization, but most programs expect hockey knowledge, strong leadership, and proper safety training.
Coaches should understand skating progressions, puck skills, spacing, forecheck/backcheck structure, breakouts, and special teams. Playing experience helps, but clear teaching and practice design matter just as much.
Great hockey coaches teach clearly, keep standards high, and create a strong team environment. Programs value coaches who can manage a bench, build trust, and keep athletes focused and motivated.
Many programs require First Aid/CPR/AED, concussion training, and organization-specific coaching education (especially for youth hockey). Some roles also require additional athlete-safety courses.
Youth associations, schools, and many clubs require a cleared background check before you work with athletes.
If this feels like a lot: start with safety certifications and an entry-level assistant role. You can build the rest over time.
Do You Need a Degree to Coach Ice Hockey?
Degree requirements vary by level, program, and employer. Many hockey coaching roles are open to coaches without education degrees—especially at the assistant, youth, and club levels.
High School Programs
Some school roles are tied to teaching positions, while others are stipend-based coaching roles. Many programs focus more on coaching fit, reliability, and certifications than a specific degree.
Assistant Coaches
Most assistant roles do not require a degree. Practical hockey knowledge, coaching education, and strong communication tend to matter more.
Club, Academy & College Roles
Club and academy programs typically prioritize coaching ability and development results. College roles may prefer degrees, but volunteer and graduate assistant roles can be more flexible entry points.
If you’re committed to learning and player development, there’s almost always a way to start—degree or not.
How to Become an Ice Hockey Coach (Step-by-Step)
Whether you’re transitioning from playing or entering coaching for the first time, these steps help you build credibility and move into the right role.
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Step 1: Build Strong Hockey Fundamentals
Study skating progressions, skill development, systems, and practice planning. Watch games with a coaching lens and learn how to teach concepts clearly.
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Step 2: Complete Safety & Coaching Education
Finish CPR/First Aid, concussion training, and any organization-required coaching education or athlete-safety courses. This signals professionalism and readiness.
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Step 3: Start with Entry-Level Roles
Great starting points include assistant coach, youth development coach, skills coach, or house-league coach. These roles build experience fast.
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Step 4: Build a Coaching Resume
Highlight coaching education, on-ice experience, leadership roles, and your player-development approach. Include any specialty strengths (goalies, skating, skills).
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Step 5: Create a CoachBridge Profile
Put your hockey experience, certifications, and coaching history in one place. Programs use CoachBridge to find coaches like you.
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Step 6: Apply to Verified Hockey Jobs
Use CoachBridge to apply to head, assistant, and development roles without sifting through unrelated posts or dead links.
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Step 7: Keep Growing
Attend clinics, learn from experienced coaches, and keep upgrading your practice design and communication. Great hockey coaches stay curious.
You don’t need to be perfect to start—you just need to take the first step.
Build momentum one season at a time and let CoachBridge connect you with the right opportunities.
Ice Hockey Coaching Salaries & Stipends
Compensation depends on level, region, program budget, and time commitment. Many roles are seasonal stipends, while club and academy hockey can offer year-round opportunities.
Typical Pay Ranges
Pay varies widely, but many ice hockey roles fall into ranges like:
- High School Head Coach: seasonal stipend (often a few thousand dollars)
- Assistant Coach: seasonal stipend (typically lower than head coach)
- Youth / House League Coach: part-time stipend or hourly
- Club / Travel Coach: hourly, per-tournament, or season contract
- College / Junior Roles: stipend, salary, or tuition-supported (varies by program)
What Influences Pay?
Common factors include:
- Time commitment: number of practices, games, and travel days.
- Program level: youth vs. high school vs. academy vs. college/juniors.
- Staff size: responsibilities expand when staffing is limited.
- Added duties: skills sessions, video, recruiting, and camps.
- Region & rink costs: hockey budgets vary by market.
Many coaches also earn additional income through clinics, camps, private lessons, and skills training.
Where Ice Hockey Coaches Work
Ice hockey coaches are hired across a range of settings—from school programs to rink-based clubs and academies.
Schools & District Programs
- Public and private high schools
- Prep and academy programs
- District or co-op teams (in some regions)
Rinks, Clubs & Travel Teams
- Youth associations and house leagues
- Club and travel hockey organizations
- Skills academies and training centers
Colleges & Universities
- Small colleges and universities
- Junior colleges
- Four-year athletic programs
Camps & Clinics
- Summer hockey camps
- Skills and goalie clinics
- Tryout prep and development sessions
Whatever level you coach, ice hockey offers meaningful ways to impact athletes and communities.
Your First Ice Hockey Coaching Job Starts Here
Breaking into hockey coaching can be tough—many roles are filled through local networks. CoachBridge helps you get discovered even if you don’t already have connections.
Everyone starts somewhere—you shouldn’t need connections to begin.
Your first ice hockey coaching job may be closer than you think.
Ice Hockey Coaching FAQs
Still have questions about ice hockey coaching requirements or how CoachBridge works? Start here.
Start Coaching Ice Hockey With Confidence
Hockey coaches help athletes grow in skill, confidence, and character. Whether you’re building a program or developing young players, your impact goes far beyond the scoreboard.
CoachBridge connects you with real ice hockey coaching opportunities that match your experience and goals—across schools, clubs, and college programs.