2008 NHL Conference Photos and Recap

Sports Management Worldwide hosted a very successful Sports Career Conference at the NHL entry draft in Ottawa, Canada on June 20th, 2008. Approximately 100 attendees gained invaluable knowledge into how to launch a career in professional sports from speakers such as Stanley Cup champion GM Brian Burke, Boston Bruins Jim Benning, NHL Scout Paul Henry, NHL agent Tim Cranston, International Scouting Services General Manager Matt Ebbs, and many others.

Most attendees were surprised to learn that Dave Nonis (General Manager of Vancouver Canucks) started their careers in hockey by doing any job they could get, just to get a start. Dave is a great example of someone who started out at the bottom and worked for years in areas such as team services and video editing. Even John Ferguson, Jr. former Montreal Leafs GM made a surprise visit! The day included information about the business of hockey including the agent business, scouting, digital video editing, operations, player personnel issues and how the draft works.

The final highlight of the conference was Friday night watching Scotiabank arena floor with tables filled by each NHL team of player personnel. Some of whom we had seen earlier in the day speak. Networking around the arena were agents, draftees and the who's who of the NHL. Not only was the draft exciting to watch, it provided an excellent opportunity for conference attendees to mingle with key people and to see some future hockey stars.

Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us in Ottawa, we hope you all enjoyed being there as much as we did. Plan on joining us for the NHL draft in Montreal on June 26th, 2009! Stay tuned to the website for more information.

Friday, June 20, 2008 Conference Agenda:

8am Registration
9am Welcome and Introductions with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President
9:30am Steva Hockey Digital Video Editing with Steva President Ron Mathurin
10:15am Hockey Scouting Panel with International Scouting Services GM Matt Ebbs and Mike Oke, NHL Scout Paul Henry
11:15am Rinknet Scouting Software with Rinknet President Jim Price and Dennis McCaroll
12pm Lunch Break
1:30pm Sports Agent Panel with Don Reynolds and Tim Cranston and client.(2008 New Jersey Devils draft pick Patrice Cormier)
2:30pm Hockey Player Personnel and Operations with Jim Benning, Boston Bruins Asst. GM
3:15pm The Future of Scouting with Chris Kirschke, Hockey IQ and Next Testing
4pm Life a of GM with Brian Burke, (Ducks), Dave Nonis, (former Canucks Gm) and John Ferguson Jr. (former Maple Leafs GM)
5pm Scotiabank Place doors open (Have your picture taken with the Stanley Cup)
7pm 2008 NHL Entry Draft begins

2008 NHL Conference Photos
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