Why You Should Participant in the 2020 Virtual NHL Draft Career Conference

This 1-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, a 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.

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 
EJ Hradek
NHL Network & NHL.com Sr. Reporter. NHL Live Host 
Mike Johnston
WHL Portland Winterhawks General Manager & Head Coach 
John Shannon
Sportsnet.ca Sportscaster 
Nicole Lee
NHL Senior Director Integrated Marketing 
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 
Manny Schmidt
Link Management NHL Agent, SMWW Alumnus 
Patrick Burke
NHL Director of Player Safety & You Can Play President 
Harkie Singh
Uptown Hockey NHLPA Agent 
Ella Chan
Vancouver Canucks Vice President Hospitality  
Dino Caputo
WHL Tri-City Americans Scout 
Lynn Lashbrook
President & Founder of SMWW. Certified Sports Agent. Former NCAA Athletic Director.

Where is the SMWW Virtual NHL Draft Career Conference?

We will be virtual this year! Once registered, more information will be emailed including the Zoom link. 

October  6, 2020 | 1:00pm - 4:00pm
SMWW'S Virtual Career Conference
Location: Zoom Virtual Conference Room

SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:

Check Out Our Photos From The 2019 Conference In Vancouver!

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!

► Other Speakers by the Year

Download a Copy of the
2019 NHL Draft Hockey Program Here