Sports Management Worldwide hosted a very successful Sports Career Conference at the NHL entry draft in Columbus, Ohio on June 22, 2007. 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 Doug Armstrong (General Manager of the Dallas Stars) and Dave Nonis (General Manager of Vancouver Canucks) started their careers in hockey by doing any job they could get, just to get a start. Both started out at the bottom and worked for years in areas such as team services and video editing.

The final highlight of the conference was sitting up close and personal with team personnel, agents, and draftees at the Entry Draft on Friday night. Not only was the draft exciting to watch, it provided an excellent opportunity for conference attendees to network with key people and to see some future hockey stars.

Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us in Columbus, we hope you all enjoyed being there as much as we did. Plan on joining us for the NHL draft in Ottawa the weekend of June 20th and 21st, 2008! Stay tuned to the website for more information.

• Brian Burke, Anaheim Ducks GM

• Dave Nonis, Vancouver Canucks GM

• Doug Armstrong, Dallas Stars GM
• Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President and Founder of SMWW
• Tim Cranston, Certified NHL Agent
• Jim Benning, Boston Bruins Dir. Of Player Personnel
• Matt Ebbs, G.M. of International Scouting Services
• Patrice Cormier, Projected 1st Round Draft pick of 2008 NHL Draft
• Jim Price, Rinknet
• Dennis McCarroll, Rinknet
• Mark Galuska, Columbus Clippers Marketing Director
• Paul Henry, NHL Scout
• Joseph Cote, Columbus Blue Jackets and Destroyers
• Tavis MacMillan, University of Alaska Fairbanks former Head Hockey Coach
• Jason Lammers, Ohio State University Asst. Hockey Coach
• Chris Keeney, Columbus Crew VP
• Dave Robinson, Hamilton Bulldogs
• Ward Coffman, SMWW Agent

The Columbus Nationwide Arena became the center of the hockey universe June 22 (first round, 7 p.m.) and June 23 (rounds two through seven, starting at 10 a.m.), as National Hockey League club executives, scouts, and coaches gathered on the Nationwide Arena floor for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Additionally, the NHL Draft attracted over 3,000 visitors and more than 500 print, television, and radio media members to the city.

SMWW staff, faculty, and students were in the heart of the NHL Draft action!

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