FirstPoint USA is excited to announce the appointment of Tony Hand MBE as its Head of Ice Hockey, with the Great Britain legend to lead the company’s scouting and recruitment activities.
A pioneer of ice hockey in Great Britain, Hand is widely regarded as the greatest British ice hockey player of all time made history by becoming the first British-trained player to be drafted into an NHL team, selected by the Edmonton Oilers.
During an illustrious career, he starred for the Murrayfield Racers, Manchester Phoenix, Sheffield Steelers and Ayr Scottish Eagles, and represented Great Britain over a 25-year period, also becoming national team coach.
FirstPoint CEO and Founder Andrew Kean welcomed the appointment: “With Tony's unparalleled experience at the top level of the game, we’re excited to tap into his expertise to help international players find the right US college program to match their athletic and academic goals. His knowledge of the sport is second to none and having been such an inspirational figure within the game, he will be a great mentor for aspiring players looking to make a big move in their own careers.”
Ice Hockey is one of the biggest and most popular college sports in the United States, presenting a unique and highly attractive pathway for prospective international players. There are around 150 programs in the NCAA for men’s ice hockey and just over 100 women’s ice hockey programs across the country, with a small number of NAIA universities also offering opportunities.
Talented international athletes are highly sought after when it comes to coach recruitment, with approximately 26% of roster athletes coming from countries outside of the US. NCAA Division I hockey programs award more than $30 million each year in scholarships.
The most successful ice hockey regions are concentrated in two main geographical areas – the Northeast and the Upper Midwest, home to the traditional hockey powerhouses known including the likes of Boston College, Cornell University, Michigan and North Dakota and Wisconsin, regularly attracting crowds of 8,000 to 11,000 for college games.
Hand added: “I’m looking forward to joining the team at FirstPoint USA and it’s great to be working for a company with the experience they have, as well as their size and scale, and building their ice hockey roster. Playing college ice hockey in the US is a unique experience and one which is truly life-changing, and I’m looking forward to supporting aspiring young players internationally on their college journeys. With my own experience and coach network, we can combine to really enhance the service available.”
Click here to find out more about ice hockey opportunities in the U.S.
