Playing Hockey in Europe: What Players Should Know

For many players, hockey does not end with junior or college. Professional leagues across Europe offer a place to keep playing, learn a new style and build a career. This guide covers what to know before you go.

Why players go

• A professional or semi-professional career, at a level that fits the player.
• More ice time than they might get at home.
• A chance to travel and live abroad.
• A path after college, junior or a North American league.

Our Player Calculator can give a general sense of which league tier may suit a player, and it lists typical pay ranges for many leagues.

Know the landscape

European leagues range from top professional leagues to part-time and amateur levels, and the standard, pay and style differ by country. North American players are usually “imports”, and many leagues limit how many imports a club can sign or play in a game. Those limits vary by league and can change from season to season, so a good fit also depends on whether a club has a spot.

What a contract may include

Clubs often offer some of the following, especially at higher levels, but you should never assume:

• Housing, usually furnished.
• A car for the season, sometimes with the player paying for fuel.
• Flights home at the start and end of the season.
• Health and accident insurance.
• Help with a work permit or visa.
• Equipment, meals or bonuses.

Get each of these in writing. Ask who pays, what happens if you are injured, and what happens if you are released.

Net or gross?

Pay is often quoted in different ways. Some leagues quote “net” or “tax free” figures, and others do not say. A number that looks big can be smaller after tax, and a number that looks small can be generous if the club covers tax and housing. Always ask whether a figure is net or gross, and in which currency.

Work permits and visas

Players from outside the European Union generally need permission to work, and the rules differ by country. In Sweden, for example, the agency that handles permits looks at the player’s contract, the minimum salary offered and the insurance cover. A European passport can make things much easier, and some players qualify through family.

Clubs usually start the process, but timing matters. Ask when the paperwork will be ready and what happens if it is delayed.

Life on and off the ice

International rinks are wider than North American rinks, and the game often feels different, with more space and more emphasis on structure. Off the ice, expect a new language, culture and food, and time away from family. Many players find it helpful to speak with other North Americans who have played for the club.

Protect yourself

• Have the contract translated if it is not in English, and read every clause.
• Check how and when you are paid, and what happens if the club cannot pay.
• Look into termination and buyout terms, and what the club covers for medical care.
• Ask for references from current or former players.
• Be careful with “pay to play” offers and recruiters you cannot verify.

Common mistakes

• Signing before understanding the tax, insurance and permit details.
• Comparing salaries across countries without checking net or gross.
• Assuming housing, a car and flights are included.
• Relying on word of mouth instead of a written contract.

How GSM can help

We help players understand their options and structure their contract, and we can talk through what a European offer really means. To talk about your situation, submit a profile or call 1-888-300-0476.