The Agency

May 1st

by Jeff Lynt

As a hockey player, whether you're aspiring to play in the NHL or simply looking to take your game to the next level, choosing the right player agency can make all the difference in your career. A good player agency will offer a wide range of services to help you achieve your goals, from agent consultation and advisory services to player development planning, expert training, mental mindset skills training, marketing, and interview and media training.

It's important for players to take control of their own careers and not rely solely on team scouts or coaches to determine their future. Waiting for an agent to find you is also not the best strategy, as agencies can only represent players they know about. This is where proactive outreach and networking can be valuable. Additionally, while coaches may provide guidance and support, they may not have the same level of expertise or resources that an agency can offer for long-term development. Taking the initiative to seek out an agency can provide players with access to a wealth of knowledge and experience to help them reach their full potential.

Being overlooked by scouts is a common occurrence in the world of sports. It can happen for many reasons, such as playing for a small or lesser-known team, having a lack of exposure, playing a style of game that doesn't necessarily produce points or not fitting the typical mold of what some scouts are looking for. So, even if a player wasn't scouted, they can still benefit greatly from using an agency. In fact, agencies can help players who may have been overlooked by traditional scouting methods to still get noticed by teams and potentially land a contract or an offer to a top school. 

The race to find the early adopters in hockey is intense, but not all players are ready at under 16 or even under 18. Some players may take longer to develop their skills and mature as athletes. It's important for players to have patience, perseverance, and a willingness to continue working hard even if they are not immediately discovered. By working with a player agency, players can maximize their potential and increase their chances of being noticed by scouts in the future. So, while being overlooked can be discouraging, it should not deter players from seeking out the support and resources that agencies can provide. Even if a player was not scouted at a young age, they should still consider working with an agency to maximize their chances of success in the highly competitive world of professional hockey.

Being overlooked does not mean that a player does not have the potential to succeed at higher levels. Many NHL players and even Hall of Famers were not early adopters and were not found early by scouts. For example, Pavel Datsyuk was not drafted until the sixth round at age 20, and Martin St. Louis was undrafted and played college hockey before making it to the NHL. These players did not give up on their dreams and continued to work hard, eventually catching the attention of scouts and proving themselves on the ice.

Much the same as a team, player agencies often employ a thorough scouting process to identify talented hockey players who can benefit from their services. Scouting involves watching games, analyzing statistics, and gathering information from various sources to evaluate a player's potential. This information is used to create a scouting report that includes a player's background, strengths, and areas that need improvement. This comprehensive scouting report will be essential to create a personalized development plan that addresses a player's unique needs and goals.

When choosing an agency, it's important to consider all of their services and how they match up with your goals and needs. Are you looking to play NCAA hockey and need to ensure that your agency is NCAA compliant? Or are you a Canadian player looking to make the jump to the CHL on through to the professional ranks? Whatever your goals may be, a good agency will be able to provide the services you need to achieve them.

One of the most important services that an agency can offer is player development planning. This involves working closely with players to identify their strengths and weaknesses and create a personalized plan to help them reach their full potential. This can include everything from on-ice skills training to off-ice conditioning and mental mindset skills training.

Another key service offered by player agencies is marketing and media training. This involves teaching players how to present themselves professionally to team management and the media, as well as creating scouting reports and physical evidence of success to help players stand out from the crowd. With the right marketing and media training, players can increase their visibility and attract the attention of scouts and team management.

Finally, a good player agency will also provide contract negotiation services, helping players and their families navigate the often-complex world of professional hockey contracts. This includes negotiating the best possible contracts for players, as well as ensuring that all contractual obligations are met and that players are treated fairly and with respect.

When considering a player agency, it's important to look beyond just the services they offer and consider their track record of success as well. Do they have a history of helping players achieve their goals? Are they NCAA compliant? Do they have a strong network of contacts within the hockey world? These are all important factors to consider when choosing an agency.

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Jeff Lynt

Is a Head Scout with Elite Hockey Canada. He is a certified hockey scout with SMWW - Sports Management Worldwide. jeff.lynt@elitehockeycanada.com or jlynt@smww.com

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