An Email Interview with Nick Bowins of Working in Hockey

About four months ago, I did a great email interview with Nick Bowins of Hockey Collective.

I am proud to bring Nick back to talk with us about a new hockey-related venture he started called Working in Hockey. If you are serious about finding a career in hockey, this new outlet might be the perfect place for you to check out and get to know inside and out.

Nick was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to tell us about his new venture, what his goal is with it, and how it can help others find their way into the hockey industry. I hope you folks enjoy it!

PH: When you were growing up, what kind of job (s) did you picture yourself having in hockey?
NB: Same as every kid who grew up watching hockey; I wanted to be a player. I found out pretty quickly that I would not crack the NHL, but I fell in love with the OHL, the World Juniors, College Hockey, etc.

I always felt this was hockey at its purest – young players who let their emotions get the best of them, they constantly make positional and situational errors because they haven’t been coached into robots yet, and they are all fighting for the chance to get to the next level. For the longest time, I thought I would work in Junior Hockey since I loved it so much.

PH: In reality, what kind of jobs did you get in and around hockey? Tell us the companies and what kind of roles you had at each one.
NB: My dreams came true when I spent my second University co-op term working for the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL (yes, in Canada University is different than College). I was a marketing intern with my local OHL team and did a bit of everything.

From video replay and tracking shots on game nights to writing articles and filming content on practice days, to interviewing the stars of the Attack like Nick Suzuki and Sean Durzi – I loved the role. Aside from that though, I worked some pretty normal jobs.

I did sales for a wellness company, I planned sporting events for the Toronto School Board, and I worked on several golf courses. By the time I graduated, only having one hockey-related co-op term under my belt made it tricky to get hired at the pro levels. Not to mention, I graduated during Covid… which turned just about all my hockey aspirations upside down, in regards to both playing and working!

My big break during Covid was reaching out to JT Barnett on Instagram, as I saw him posting that he wanted to start a hockey brand. JT played professional hockey himself, and his dad Mike was the general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes and the agent of Wayne Gretzky and Jaromir Jagr, so JT saw an opening in the hockey media world.

After a couple of calls, JT hired me, again this was during COVID-19, to help run his new brand Triple Deke. We did a lot of cool things together over a couple years period, including filming Day in the Life videos with current NHL stars Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, etc.

This opportunity from JT reinvigorated my passion to find a role in hockey.

PH: As someone who grew up obsessed with the game, did you ever lose any love for the game being involved so closely with it? Why or why not?
NB: I quit playing hockey twice in my life to focus on both baseball and University, but I never lost my love for it. Looking back I wish I didn’t take those years off, and I think my time spent in Junior Hockey would have gone a lot differently if I had not stopped playing – but I always loved the game.

Same as you would say, Patrick, so many of my close friends come from the game. So many of my cherished memories come from the game. So much of my upbringing and time spent with my family was around the game. I always loved it.

PH: What made you decide to start your new venture – Working in Hockey?
NB: I wanted to start Working in Hockey because I think there is a huge opening to help people find their way into the industry. So many people go to a Sports Management program, or intern with a team, or take a media course, hoping to end up working within the game – but never find their way to do so.

I want to help people, like myself, who were starving for guidance and assistance whilst searching for a way into the hockey world. I would have absolutely loved to have a resource sharing open roles in hockey and tips for how to get those roles, and hearing real-life experiences from those working in the industry – so I decided to make a platform where I can do this for others.

PH: What kinds of things will be featured at Working in Hockey?
NB: The most exciting thing for the average person will be our weekly newsletter which contains a comprehensive list of every role currently open within hockey. Instead of having to spend hours scouring the web and checking every different job board for new roles – I will send them to you in one succinct email so that you can research the role and apply to it right there.

Secondly, and perhaps more exciting for me personally, is the weekly podcast interview that I am doing. The goal is to interview as many different professionals as possible within the game of hockey to share their stories, journeys, and advice.

I do not want to spoil too many upcoming guests… but we have got it all. From analysts to equipment managers to hockey operations to influencers to trick shot artists.

There will be something for everyone, and selfishly, I love hearing everyone’s unique story.

PH: What is your overall goal with Working in Hockey?
NB: The goal is simple for me – become the single best resource for those looking to work in hockey. When someone is applying to jobs while at school or is looking to switch careers from banking to hockey, or just looking to take the next step in their career – I want them to come to Working in Hockey.

It is a big goal, but I’m very confident in this initiative. At the end of the day, if I can help one person land a job (we are already well on our way despite launching this week), it will be more than worthwhile for me!

PH: Is there anything else that you would like to share with Inside the Rink readers regarding Working in Hockey?
NB: That is it, man. I am excited for this to catch some steam – hockey is a small world as you know, and it is good people like yourself, and I would like to think myself, that make hockey so great.

Be sure to follow us @WorkinginHockey, and most importantly, subscribe to our newsletter!