Hockey in the United States has always been associated with high costs and limited accessibility, raising questions about who is given the opportunity to participate and advance to elite levels. This thesis examines how household income and geography affect access to elite youth hockey, looking at the structural and cultural barriers that affect young athletes’ opportunities. While the existing literature discusses broad socioeconomic barriers, this thesis focuses the analysis to look at regional inequalities and social dynamics that can impact participation. Using secondary research and case studies, it investigates how the pay-to-play model can perpetuate unequal access to hockey across many different communities. Findings suggest that socioeconomic status and location are the strongest predictors of who is able to learn to play hockey and have sustained participation - although inclusion efforts have been growing, they are still rare. This research demonstrates the importance of expanding access so that participation in hockey is not limited to those with financial or geographic privilege.
