Phases in the junior-to-senior transition of Swedish ice hockey players: From a conceptual framework to an empirical model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore a temporal structure (i.e. sequence of phases and relevant psychological content) of the junior-to-senior transition in Swedish ice hockey players. The study was a qualitative exploration of the junior-to-senior transition process designed in three steps. First, the athletic career transition model coupled with a holistic developmental approach and analysis of the Swedish ice hockey context were used to create a conceptual four-phase (preparation, orientation, adaptation and stabilization) junior-to-senior transition framework and interview guides. Second, seven active semi-professional ice hockey players were interviewed about their junior-to-senior transition experiences and asked for their feedback on the conceptual framework. Finally, based on the empirical data and the participants’ feedback, the conceptual framework was transformed into an empirical model of the junior-to-senior transition. In the empirical model ‘Phases in the junior-to-senior transition of Swedish ice hockey players’, the authors provided a summary of the players’ transition experiences (i.e. perceived demands, resources, barriers, coping strategies and outcomes) within each of the four (i.e. the preparation, the orientation, the adaptation and the stabilization) junior-to-senior transition phases. Further, the authors discussed the empirical model in relation to theoretical frameworks and previous research and also provided methodology-, future research- and practice-oriented reflections addressed to researchers, coaches and sport psychology practitioners.