Professional hockey teams rely on far more than players and coaches to make it through a season. Every road trip also depends on experienced bus drivers who move teams safely between cities, often late at night and in challenging conditions.

In the American Hockey League, where most travel takes place by motorcoach, drivers are responsible for transporting players and staff through a demanding 72-game schedule and, for qualifying teams, the Calder Cup Playoffs. While fans see the bus pull up outside the arena, much of the work happens long before the first player steps aboard.

Experience Opens the Door

There is no single path to becoming an AHL team driver.

Most begin their careers with charter transportation companies, gaining experience with a wide variety of passenger trips before an opportunity with a professional team becomes available. Along with earning a commercial driver’s license, drivers must complete the training and licensing requirements needed to transport passengers, with some states and provinces requiring additional endorsements.

Two drivers highlighted in the report reached the position through years of dependable work. James Rhodan earned the opportunity to drive for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins through Martz Bus Company after establishing a strong reputation within the organization. Chris Roberts became the driver for the Syracuse Crunch through Hale Transportation after filling in when the regular driver was unavailable. The temporary assignment eventually became his full-time role with the team.

Every Road Trip Looks Different

Game days rarely follow the same schedule from start to finish.

Drivers inspect and prepare the coach before transporting players and coaches between hotels, practice facilities, and arenas. Once the game ends, they prepare for the next leg of the trip, whether it’s a short drive across town or several hours on the highway.

Plans can also change quickly. Overtime games, changing weather, and travel adjustments often affect departure times, requiring drivers to stay flexible while keeping the team on schedule.

Most of the Season Is Spent on the Highway

Unlike NHL clubs that travel primarily by air, AHL teams spend most of the season traveling by bus. Flights are generally reserved for cross-country trips or longer playoff series, leaving drivers responsible for the majority of the team’s travel throughout the season. The ECHL follows a similar model, although scheduling often allows teams to spend more time in the same city before moving on.

That means drivers become familiar with long overnight trips, changing itineraries, and the unique travel demands that come with professional hockey.

Good Judgment Matters

Driving skill is only part of the job.

Roberts recalled an ice storm that moved into Hershey while the Crunch were playing. Rather than attempting the drive home, he contacted team management and recommended staying overnight until conditions improved. On another trip, a winter storm turned what is normally a 40-minute drive between Syracuse and Utica into a trip lasting nearly one hour and 40 minutes.

Rhodan experienced similar challenges returning from a road trip to Laval, where lake-effect snow near Watertown, New York, reduced visibility and slowed the trip for more than an hour before conditions improved.

Professionalism Comes With the Job

Drivers spend months traveling alongside the same players and coaches, but they are expected to remain focused on their responsibilities regardless of the outcome on the ice.

A bus ride after a win can be lively, while a loss often makes for a much quieter trip. Even so, the driver’s approach doesn’t change. The responsibility remains getting everyone to the next destination safely.

Over the course of a season, those shared miles often lead to lasting relationships. Roberts said one of the most rewarding parts of the job has been watching players he once transported in the AHL reach the NHL. Rhodan also encouraged anyone interested in becoming a team driver to pursue the opportunity, saying simply, “Go for it.”

For drivers who earn the assignment, the work may happen behind the scenes, but every successful road trip depends on the preparation, experience, and sound judgment they bring to the driver’s seat.

The ProDriverPoint editorial team creates practical, industry-focused content for professional drivers and transportation companies. Our coverage includes industry news, best practices, business insights, technology, and career topics for chauffeur, limo, bus, motorcoach, rideshare, taxi, NEMT, and other professional driving professionals.

Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Source: The Hockey News