Ice hockey team captains' perceptions of their behaviors

• Main Author: Dupuis, Martin
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 2004
• Subjects: Hockey players; Leadership; Teamwork (Sports)
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=81485

Research on leadership in sport has primarily focused on the behaviors of coaches despite the claim that leadership behaviors of athletes are considered by many to be an important component of success. More precisely, ice hockey team captains are recognized as having a significant leadership role. The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the key leadership behaviors exhibited by athletes, specifically ice hockey team captains. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with six former university male ice hockey team captains. Data were analysed inductively, following the guidelines of Cote, Salmela, and Russell (1995). Three main areas emerged from the data analysis which were called: (a) the interpersonal characteristics and experiences, (b) the social interactions, and (c) the task behaviors. These results identified the influence of background experiences of team captains, the types of behaviors displayed, how the behaviors were manifested, when and where the behaviors were exhibited, and the individuals involved in these behaviors.