A New Italian Youth Ice Hockey League System
Scopelliti, Claudio (2025)
2025
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120633203
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120633203
Tiivistelmä
This thesis analyzes the Italian youth ice hockey competitive system to propose structural improvements for athlete development. The work was commissioned by the Italian Ice Sports Federation (FISG). The theoretical background examines Italy's demographic context, ice hockey history, and FISG structure. It covers youth sport development principles, particularly motivation and dropout factors, and describes the league system for 2023-2024. The methodology uses two approaches: benchmarking with Austrian and Polish systems, and quantitative analysis of over 1,000 games from the 2023-2024 season across U14, U16, and U19 categories.
Austria ranks 11th in IIHF standings with 3,334 youth players. Poland ranks 19th with 3,049 players. While Italy is 18th (3,414 players). Analysis of the 2023-2024 season reveals systematic competitive imbalances. Only 44,64% of U14 games showed balanced differentials, with 22,96% ending with margins exceeding 10 goals. The polarized distribution of teams' plus/minus scores, analysis of game situations, and examination of roster sizes confirm that the single-tier system fails to provide appropriate competitive environments for most participants.
The proposed system has five objectives: providing competitive balance, maximizing playing time, establishing progressive pathways, expanding participation while reducing dropout, and creating sustainable structures. Key proposals include two-tier league (AA and A) in each category, reduced roster sizes, progressive game regulations, dedicated women's youth categories, and phased implementation over 5-10 years. The discussion addresses competitive imbalance, compares Italy to other European countries, and reflects on the research process. The results show that evidence-based structural modifications can optimize existing resources, creating conditions for sustainable growth and improved international performance.
Austria ranks 11th in IIHF standings with 3,334 youth players. Poland ranks 19th with 3,049 players. While Italy is 18th (3,414 players). Analysis of the 2023-2024 season reveals systematic competitive imbalances. Only 44,64% of U14 games showed balanced differentials, with 22,96% ending with margins exceeding 10 goals. The polarized distribution of teams' plus/minus scores, analysis of game situations, and examination of roster sizes confirm that the single-tier system fails to provide appropriate competitive environments for most participants.
The proposed system has five objectives: providing competitive balance, maximizing playing time, establishing progressive pathways, expanding participation while reducing dropout, and creating sustainable structures. Key proposals include two-tier league (AA and A) in each category, reduced roster sizes, progressive game regulations, dedicated women's youth categories, and phased implementation over 5-10 years. The discussion addresses competitive imbalance, compares Italy to other European countries, and reflects on the research process. The results show that evidence-based structural modifications can optimize existing resources, creating conditions for sustainable growth and improved international performance.