Analyses of the impact of laterality on performances in the National Hockey League based on players’ position and origin

Abstract This study addresses the question of the lateral preference of the National Hockey League players. The shooting preference, left or right, was analysed as a function of the origin of four groups of players that are from the USA, Canada, Europe, or Russia. The analysis reveals that the players from the USA are more likely to shoot right than players from other countries. Also, compared to defense players from other groups, defense players from the USA have a higher number of shots per game and a higher goal-to-assist ratio. The study also shows that for wingers shooting left, those playing on the right wing have more goals or points per game than those playing on the left wing; and that European forward players have a better differential (+/−) than American and Canadian forward players. The study reveals the influence of the players’ origin on the preference in a bimanual asymmetric task and the impact of this preference on ice hockey performances.