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The SMWW NHL Draft conference reenergizes you and sets you on a path for sports career success. There is a passion and enthusiasm you just don’t find in most other conferences. My network has expanded greatly since attending the conference, along with my confidence.
2020 Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft
When Montréal becomes Hockeytown! 
June 26-27, 2020
Montreal, QB at Centre Bell home of the Montreal Canadiens
Every June the NHL Entry Draft sets the future of hockey in motion as a global onslaught of talented stickmen discover the next move of their career. But the success stories coming out of Montreal aren't limited to the young men in pads, those attending the Sports Management Worldwide NHL Draft Career Conference will be setting the stage for their career growth in the hockey industry too.
Our annual NHL Draft Hockey Career Conference provides people of all ages with a desire to work in professional hockey insight and exposure they can't get anywhere else:
- Network with hockey executives
- Receive career guidance from hockey insiders
- Discover who is hiring and what you need to know to get hired
- Connect with other hockey career-minded individuals
- Learn strategies to catapult your career to the next level
- Ask questions of hockey executives, scouts, media members and more
But the benefits don't end there – conference registration includes lower bowl tickets to both days of the NHL Draft!
Why You Should Attend the 2020 NHL Draft Career Conference
This 2-day event will offer unique panel discussions and Q & A sessions with some of the biggest names in the world of hockey. All attendees will also have the opportunity to network with hockey industry insiders who are deeply connected to the sport.
"Attending the SMWW NHL Career Conference opened doors to opportunities I wouldn't have known about otherwise," says Brittany Wong, Broadcast Media student at Ryerson University and Conference attendee. "The wide range of industry professionals provided something for everyone, from scouting to marketing and business operations – this conference has it all."
If you want to start a career in hockey or advance your current one, attending the SMWW NHL Draft Career Conference is the move you need to make. Find out who is hiring and for what roles, network with hockey executives, and learn strategies to catapult your career to the next level.
"Our NHL Draft Career Conference provides an invaluable opportunity for attendees to learn about careers in the NHL while networking with some of the biggest names in the industry," says Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President of Sports Management Worldwide. "Agents, GM's, Directors of Player Personnel and Marketing Executives all will be present, meeting and speaking with attendees. This is a unique event!"
Past conference speakers have included team executives like the Calgary Flames Brian Burke and Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland, powerful sports agents like Pat Brisson and Rick Curran, media members like NHL Network Senior Reporter EJ Hradek, head coaches, personnel executives, scouts and more.
"SMWW gets the best speakers year after year, who are all able to speak with confidence and experience regarding a wide variety of topics in the hockey industry. Every moment at the conference was time well spent," confirms Dylan Skubel, Ontario Minor Hockey Association Referee and Linesman.
Hockey careers start with Sports Management Worldwide, and our annual NHL Draft Career Conference is a great way to get introduced to the people behind the scenes that make the game great.
"If you are thinking about a career in hockey, SMWW is a cutting-edge program that offers you the training, skills, vital networking, mentoring, and hockey specific training that will assist you in breaking in or advancing your career in professional hockey. They have hundreds of graduates now working at all levels of the game," says Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations, Brian Burke.
Information about the Event:
Information will be updated as it becomes available. SMWW is assigned space at the Draft by the NHL after they make accommodations for the draft picks, NHL executives, and NHL teams staff.
2019 Featured Speakers
*Speakers are subject to change. 2020 Speakers will be announced later.
Ken Holland
Edmonton Oilers GM
Rick Curran
The Orr Hockey Group NHL agent
Mike Johnston
WHL Portland Winterhawks General Manager and Head Coach
EJ Hradek
NHL Network & NHL.com Sr. Reporter. NHL Live Host
John Shannon
Sportsnet.ca Sportscaster
Nicole Lee
NHL Senior Director Sports Marketing Partnerships
Damian Echvarrieta
NHL Player Safety Group Vice President
George Parros
former NHL player, NHL Director of Player Safety
Jeff Ulmer
Arizona Coyotes Coordinator, Skill Development / Assistant Director of Special Projects
Dana Clark
Vancouver Canucks Sr Director, Human Resources
Lisa Hollenbeck
WHL Portland Winterhawks Senior Director Business Operations
Mike Oke
Peterborough Petes, General Manager
Patrick Burke
NHL Director of Player Safety & You Can Play President
Manny Schmidt
Link Management NHL Agent, SMWW Alum
Harkie Singh
Uptown Hockey NHLPA Agent
Dino Caputo
WHL Tri-City Americans Scout
Ella Chan
Vancouver Canucks Vice President Hospitality
Lynn Lashbrook
President & Founder of SMWW. Certified Sports Agent. Former NCAA Athletic Director.
Thursday, June 25th, 2020 6:00pm- 8:00pm:
SMWW Welcome Reception (Optional)
Location TBD
Kick off your NHL Draft Experience at the legendary SMWW NHL Draft Career Conference Welcome Reception. Join us for networking, meet Agents, Scouts, Hockey front office executives, fellow Hockey Career Conference attendees, SMWW Hockey faculty and staff. First adult beverage and appetizers on SMWW!
The Welcome Reception is optional...but you really shouldn't miss it!
Friday, June 26th, 2020 | 9:00am- 4:00pm
Hockey Career Conference
Location TBD
The Hockey Career Conference will be held at the NHL Draft Headquarters. This conference puts you in the heart of the action prior to the first pick.
This is a day filled with executive panels, discussions about the business of hockey and Q&A periods with those working at the highest level of professional hockey. Includes a networking lunch. See the sample agenda below.
Friday, June 26th, 2020 | 5:00 pm
Round 1 of the 2020 NHL Draft held in Centre Bell, Home of the Montreal Canadiens
Conference registration includes lower bowl tickets to both days of the NHL Draft.
Saturday, June 27th, 2020 | 10:00 am
Rounds 2-7 of the 2020 NHL Draft held in Centre Bell, Home of the Montreal Canadiens
Conference registration includes lower bowl tickets to both days of the NHL Draft.
I would highly recommend to anyone with a goal of pursuing a career in professional hockey that they give serious consideration in attending the NHL Draft Career Conference which is absolutely an incredible value for the return on the investment.
- Patrick Edwards, International Scouting Services - Hockey Scout
Where is the SMWW NHL Draft Career Conference?
NHL Draft Career Conference will be held:
Location to be announced in Montreal, QB
NHL Draft Career Conference Welcome Reception will be held:
Location to be announced in Montreal, QB
Location to be announced in Montreal, QB
2020 NHL Entry Draft will be held:
Centre Bell, home of the Montreal Canadiens
NHL Draft Career Conference Registration Includes:
Seeing major events first hand is a great way to improve your industry knowledge and connection. That is why we have included one ticket to both days of the 2020 NHL Draft as part of your conference registration. Being able to experience a live event like the NHL Draft is exciting and rewarding!
All of the tickets we distribute are in the lower bowl (100 level) and grant access to all 7 rounds. Tickets will be distributed at conference check-in on Friday. Additional tickets are not available. Additional conference materials include:
- Thursday night Welcome Reception
- Friday Networking Lunch
- SMWW Name badge and credentials
- Registration packet including conference agenda and speaker biographies
- Admission to all conference sessions
Registration Now Open!
Early Bird discount available until August 1st
This event is limited to the first 200.
Conference Registration includes:
Prices Increase August 1st
General Admission : $325 $175 USD
College Students, Faculty & SMWW Alumni : $275 $175 USD
Team, Agency Employees & SMWW Agents : $300 $175 USD
** Please note that the conference fee does not include flight or hotel accommodations.
Walk-up registrations will not be accepted. Please register online in advance.
SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:
2020 Hockey NHL Career Conference Agenda
Thursday, June 18th, 2020
6:00pm-8:00pm SMWW Welcome Reception
The Pint Public House
455 Abbott St, Vancouver, BC. V6B 2L2 Canada
*age restrictions apply*
Friday, June 19th, 2020
7:30am-5: 00 pm SMWW Hockey Career Conference
The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
1088 Burrard St, Vancouver BC. V6Z 2R9 Canada
7:00 am: Registration Open. Coffee and bagels are available.
7:45 am: Opening Remarks
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide President, and Founder
8:00 am: Breakfast with Ken Holland, The Life of a GM in the NHL
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide PresidentKen Holland, Edmonton Oilers General Manager (formerly with the Detroit Red Wings for 36 years)
8:30 am: The Business of Minor League Hockey
Moderator: Dino Caputo, WHL Tri-Cities Americans ScoutMike Johnston, WHL Portland Winterhawks General Manager, and Head Coach Lisa Hollenbeck, WHL Portland Winterhawks Senior Director Hockey Operations
9:00 am: Identifying the Next Big Star
Moderator: Mike Oke, OHL Peterborough Petes General ManagerRyan Bowness, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins Professional Scout
Trace Linton, NHL Carolina Hurricanes Video Scouting Coordinator
Jeff Ulmer, NHL Arizona Coyotes Coordinator, Skill Development
10:00 am: Life of an NHL Agent
Rick Curran, Orr Hockey Group NHL Agent
10:45 am: On - Air with...
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide PresidentEJ Hradek, NHL Live! Host
John Shannon, Sportsnet Sportscaster
11:45 - 1:00 pm: Lunch with the Vancouver Canucks Senior Director of Human Resources
Everything you always wanted to ask HR
Dana Clark, NHL Vancouver Canucks Senior Director of Human Resources
1:00 pm: Sports Marketing and Hospitality
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide President
Nicole Lee, NHL Senior Director of Sports Marketing Partnerships
Ella Chan, NHL Vancouver Canucks Vice President of Hospitality
1:45 pm - The Agent's Take
Moderator: Mike Oke, OHL Peterborough Petes General ManagerHarkie Singh, Uptown Hockey NHLPA Agent
Robbie Fromm, Delorme, WHL Portland Winterhawks Forward (Draft Eligible 2020)
Manny Schmidt, Link Management Founder, NHL Agent, and SMWW Alumni
2:45 pm - Player Safety and League Operations
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide PresidentPatrick Burke, NHLPA Senior Director Player Safety
Damian Echevarrieta, NHL Group Vice President, Player Safety and Hockey Operations
George Parros, NHLPA Director Player Safety
3:45 pm - Closing remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook and Mike Oke
5:00 pm - First Round of the NHL Draft & Fan Fest
Tickets included with registration!
Saturday, June 20th, 2020
10 am - 1 pm: Rounds 2-7 of the NHL Draft & Fan Fest
Tickets included with registration!
NHL Draft Information:
For those of you who have never experienced the NHL draft live, it is fascinating!
The National Hockey League is the lone sports league without war rooms at team offices, instead, teams bring their entire personnel staff right to the draft. Each team brings their GM, top player personnel executives and their scouts, all the key decision makers for each team will be right in front of you!
Imagine watching the top 600 NHL executives on the arena floor making decisions for their teams that will affect years of hockey. This is a must-attend event for any hockey fan.
What else is there to do in Montréal?
Take a look at the Montreal Tourist Information Here.What airport should you fly into?
Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, 30-minute drive to Downtown Montréal
Where should you stay?
SMWW Conference attendees are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. The host conference would be announced later. There will be numerous hotels nearby, however, SMWW does not have any representation with respect to any such properties.
Check Out Our Photos From The 2017 Conference In Chicago!
Past Speakers
Note: Due to Team Meetings, speakers are not guaranteed and will change. The closer we get to the date, the more accurate the schedule becomes as executives do not yet know their team meeting schedules. Keep coming back to this agenda to see the most recent additions all the way up to the draft day!
Scholarships For the NHL Draft Career Conference Are Available
SMWW will award a limited amount of full and partial scholarships for each SMWW Career Conference. You must be 18 years or older to be considered. If interested, fill out an application, submit your resume and a one-page letter explaining why you should receive a scholarship to info@smww.com.
Scholarships do not include lodging or airfare. Those who have completed an SMWW training program will be given preference.
Download a Copy of the
2017 NHL Draft Hockey Program Here
