# A comparison of shot selection and goal scoring between collegiate and professional women’s and men’s ice hockey

## TL;DR

This study compares how players in different ice hockey leagues take shots and score goals, finding unique patterns in each league.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct shooting and scoring behaviors in collegiate women's, professional men's, and professional women's hockey.

## Key findings

- Multinomial logistic regression revealed statistically significant differences in shot selection and scoring trends across leagues.
- Each league exhibits unique shooting patterns, suggesting the importance of league-specific normative data for coaching decisions.

## Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences and similarities in shooting and scoring trends between collegiate women's hockey, and professional men's and women's hockey. A multinomial logistic regression using shot data from the Ontario University Athletics women's hockey league, Professional Women's Hockey League, and the National Hockey League revealed statistically significant differences, indicating that each league has unique shooting patterns. Understanding that each league has different shooting and scoring profiles is relevant to coaches, who may benefit from using normative data from their own leagues to support decision making, rather than results from other leagues.