2019 Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft 

Why You Should Attend the 2019 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 Detroit Red Wings 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. 


Thursday, June 20th, 2019 7:00pm- 9:00pm:
SMWW Welcome Reception (Optional) 
(2019 Information to follow. Here is a preview of 2018 to have an idea of what to expect.) 

Join hockey executives, SMWW Staff, and hockey conference attendees at the historic Wilson Building at the Press Box Grill. This is a fantastic way to kick off the 2019 NHL Draft with over 24 Texas beers on tap and Texas-made liquors. 

Cash bar and light appetizers. Enjoy the taste of Texas in this local favorite cowboy sports bar. (Near the famous Dallas landmark, the 30 foot Giant Eyeball!) The Welcome Reception is optional...but you really shouldn't miss it!

Friday, June 21st, 2019  | 9:00am-5:00pm
Hockey Career Conference
Location to be announced in Vancouver, BC

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 21st, 2019  |  7:00pm
Round 1 of the 2019 NHL Draft held in Rogers Arena, Home of the Vancouver Canucks
Conference registration includes lower bowl tickets to both days of the NHL Draft.

Saturday, June 22nd, 2019  | 10:00am  
Rounds 2-7 of the 2019 NHL Draft held at Rogers Arena, Home of the Vancouver Canucks
Conference registration includes lower bowl tickets to both days of the NHL Draft. 

Where is the SMWW NHL Draft Career Conference?

NHL Draft Career Conference will be held:  
Location to be announced in Vancouver, BC

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 2019 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

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.

Check Out Our Photos From The 2017 Conference In Chicago!

Past Speakers (2019 speakers to be announced at a later date)

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 draft day!

Past Speakers Have Included:

Ken Holland, Detroit Red Wings, General Manager and Executive Vice President
Reagan Carey, USA Women's National and Olympic Team General Manager
E.J. Hradek, NHL Network Host
Bill Zito, Columbus Blue Jackets Asst. General Manager
Ryan Bowness, Pittsburgh Penguins Professional Scout
Brian Burke, Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide, President
Rick Curran, NHL Agent, Orr Hockey Group
Gordie Clark, New York Rangers, Director of Player Personnel
Chris Snow, Calgary Flames, Director of Video and Statistical Analysis
Patrick Burke, NHL Director of Player Safety
Michael Schuckers, Co-Founder, Statistical Sports Consulting
Neil Glasberg, PBI Sports and Entertainment, President
Mike Oke, Peterborough Petes, General Manager
Rick McLaughlin, Texas Stars, President/General Manager
Harkie Singh, Uptown Sports Director of Player Development
Cameron Lizotte, Peterborough Petes Defenseman & NHL Draft Prospect
William Boll, Quantum Pro Hockey, Chief Operations Officer
Adelyn Biedenbach, Florida Panthers Digital Media & Communications
Dino Caputo, Tri-Cities Americans, (WHL)Regional Scout, SMWW Faculty
Marc-Andre Dumont, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, GM /Head Coach
Serge Payer, NHL Agent
Barclay Parneta, Tri-Cities Americans Head Scout & Prospect Development Coach
Zoran Rajcic, Everett Silvertips Executive VP and Asst. GM
Lisa Hollenbeck, WHL Portland Winterhawks Director of Hockey Administration
Rob Rossi, Pittsburgh Tribune Lead Sports Columnist
And many more…
And more...

► Other Speakers by Year

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