Intern, Hockey Research

Job Title: 2026 Fall Intern, Hockey Research

Department: Hockey Strategy & Analytics

Location: Chicago/United Center

Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm / Monday – Friday (may vary based upon game schedule)

Status: Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Reports to: Sr. Research Scientist

Compensation: $20 per hour

Duration: 9/7/2026 - 12/18/2026

The Chicago Blackhawks are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases.

Role Summary:

The Chicago Blackhawks are hiring a Research Scientist Intern to conduct foundational research at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and ice hockey. This position will work in close collaboration across the Hockey Strategy and Analytics group with Research Scientists, Data Scientists, and Software Engineers.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain experience and understanding of modeling workflows at the intersection of AI and hockey.

• Develop professional skills such as working with Python, SQL, and version control systems such as Git.

• Apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges such as evaluating and analyzing high resolution hockey data.

Key Responsibilities and Projects:

• Produce research at the intersection of in-game hockey data and technical areas such as multiagent systems, reinforcement learning, physics, computer vision, and biomechanics.

• Develop advanced learning models in Python that build on the Blackhawks’ existing infrastructure.

• Build Python and SQL pipelines to process and load data from external vendors and internal models.

• Work with software engineers to design and build front-end tools that make models available to internal stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes / Deliverables:

• Complete a research project in collaboration with the internal Research Science group.

• Present findings or outcomes to internal stakeholders in the form of a short presentation and written material.

• Demonstrate growth in research and technical abilities.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Physics or other quantitative field of study

• Familiarity with Python, Java, C++ or other object-oriented programming language

• Knowledge of computer science fundamentals including data structures and version control (i.e., Git)

• Preferably knowledge and curiosity with concepts related to multiagent systems, reinforcement learning, game theory, statistical modeling, or other relevant areas

• Preferably knowledge with deep learning concepts and experience with libraries such as Tensorflow and PyTorch

• Demonstrable project and research experience through coursework, personal projects, prior internships, or publications

• Ability to work on-site at the United Center beginning Monday, September 7th, 2026 – December 18th, 2026.

What It’s Like Working Here:

The Chicago Blackhawks experience isn’t just on the ice. Our office, located in the United Center, promotes a fun, engaging, fast-paced and collaborative atmosphere where we can celebrate both hockey and each other. Our commitment to curating an environment where all individuals feel empowered to bring their best self to work each day can be seen throughout our organization. Whether you are a job seeker looking to join the organization, a current member of our amazing team, or someone looking to help support our mission, our goal is the same – to reimagine the potential of hockey through memorable, inclusive experiences.

Perks and Benefits:

Competitive total rewards package, full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, paid life insurance), employee assistance program (EAP), comprehensive PTO package, social events, volunteer opportunities, and learning and development. Employer-paid breakfast, lunch, parking, on-site gym and training classes, employee ticket program, and more.

The Team:

The Chicago Blackhawks started their journey as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” professional ice hockey teams in 1926. Members of the Central Division in the NHL’s Western Conference and six-time Stanley Cup Champions (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015), the team calls the United Center home.

Each day the Team works to uphold our mission to reimagine the potential of hockey. At its core, the team and greater organization uphold its mission through its core values centered around integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality. They are fiercely dedicated to evolving and delivering new and legendary fan experiences and captivating new and diverse audiences, both on and off the ice. As part of their unwavering commitment to drive impact and purpose in the Chicago community, the organization opened the Fifth Third Arena (the team’s official practice facility and community space for youth hockey development), continues to make expansions to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, and acquired the AHL team the Rockford IceHogs.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to grow in its commitments to honor and celebrate Black Hawk's legacy by offering our platforms, making meaningful contributions, collaborating with Native American people, and reimagining ways to support the many Native American people and communities they live amongst and alongside. They engage in this work through their formal partnership with Black Hawk’s ancestral tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, which the tribe established with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021.