Objectives: Previous sport research has identified a relation between playing positions and regulatory chronic focus profiles. That is, athletes in attacking positions show rather promotion profiles whereas those in defensive positions show rather prevention profiles (Unkelbach et al., 2009). The present study examined playing positions and chronic regulatory focus profiles in ice-hockey. It was hypothesized that players developing in defensive positions would show prevention profiles, whereas players developing in offensive positions would show promotion profiles.

Methods: Eighty-six ice hockey players (22.9 ± 2.8 years of age) from Sweden (n = 63), USA (n = 9), Australia (n = 6) and other countries (n = 9) participated in a cross-sectional study. Demographics, level of play, and ice-hockey playing positions were gathered. Depending on the playing position, participants were first divided into those playing in rather defensive positions (goaltenders and defenders) and those playing in rather offensive positions (centers and forwards). Given ice-hockey characteristics, a further group categorization considered “extreme” defensive (goaltenders) and “extreme” offensive (penalty shooters) playing positions. Participants also answered the Modified Regulatory Focus Questionnaire (Semin et al., 2005) to assess chronic regulatory focus profiles.

Results: Findings showed partial support of previous findings regarding playing positions and regulatory focus profiles. Whilst no association was found between playing positions and promotion, such an association appeared between playing positions and prevention. More precisely, goalkeepers (who perceived themselves as defensive players) scored significantly higher in prevention than penalty taking forwards (who considered themselves as offensive players).

Conclusion: Within an ice hockey team, knowledge about teammates regulatory focus profiles may contribute to a better optimization of team performance. Further applied research shall examine more in detail ‘extreme’ playing positions such as goaltenders, as the most prevention role played in ice-hockey, and the provision of training programmes to players in such a critical playing position.