| Abstract: |
Using a panel of National Hockey League players from 2000 through 2010, we
analyze the determinants of career length in the league. In our analysis, we
include both performance variables and nationality of origin to determine
their importance in determining career length. We find that European-born
players have shorter careers than do North American-born players holding
performance constant and Russian-born players have even shorter careers than
other Europeans. We further explore if the empirical evidence of a shorter
career is consistent with exit discrimination on the part of team owners or
with foreign-born players voluntarily returning home to end their careers in
European leagues. Key Words: National Hockey League, exit discrimination,
professional sports, foreign workers |