Roughly, the study is looking at international players in the NHL and how it effects the success of teams. There are seemingly a thousand other minute details we are also studying, one of which includes how the line decisions are made, how international players interact on lines, etc.
I am merely a research assistant on this project, so I can't really tell you why the founders of the project chose hockey, although they have probably told me in the past (I believe it has something to do with the trend of hockey players travelling here to play after the fall of the Iron Curtain).
BUT, I found and am working on this project because, like the good northern MN girl that I am, I grew up playing hockey, and love the sport more than anything else...the concept of getting to paid to learn more about hockey is the craziest and best thing in the world to me.
Longer answer than you asked for, I am sure...sorry.
Anyone else have any line info to throw at me? Thanks!