I would highly recommend to anyone with a goal of pursuing a career in professional hockey that they give serious consideration in attending the SMWW Hockey Career Conference which is absolutely an incredible value for the return on the investment.
Sheryar Abdullah
Mat Billette
Jacob Gollapalli
This year’s conference in Vancouver was an eye-opening for me. It was great to listen to the different guest speakers sharing their experiences leading up to their career. Meeting others who share the same interest and passion is a bonus. I would recommend anyone who is passionate about working in hockey to attend this conference.
Los Angeles, California: June 26-28, 2025
2025 Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft
This is an intimate, behind-the-scenes event designed to get you face-to-face with the people who run the game.
Join us for the SMWW Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft as Los Angeles becomes the epicenter of the NHL. Network with top hockey executives, gain career advice, and add valuable experience to your resume. Rub elbows with Coaches, GMs, DPP's, Scouts, Media, Agents, and more. For anyone looking to develop a career in hockey, this conference is a can't-miss opportunity to build your professional network! Register now.
NHL Draft Tickets are included in your registration, until supplies last!
2025 Hockey Career Conference Agenda*
*Speakers are subject to change and are not guaranteed
Thursday, June 26th, 2025
2:00 - 4:00 PM PST: Conference Check-In
JW Marriott at LA Live
900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
6:00 - 8:00 PM PST: Welcome Reception
Tom's Watch Bar - LA Live
1011 S Figueroa St B101, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Friday, June 27th, 2025
Location: JW Marriott at LA Live - Gold Ballroom 1
900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
7:15 AM - Registration & Coffee/Bagels
7:35 AM - Welcome to the 2025 NHL Draft Career Conference
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - SMWW President & Founder
7:45 AM - Global Ice: The Future of International Hockey Expansion
Jeremy Langer - PWHL VP of Broadcast and Scheduling
Caroline Jonsson - European Hockey Clubs Managing Director
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - SMWW President & Founder
8:30 AM - Inside the NHL: Exclusive Interview with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly
Bill Daly - NHL Deputy Commissioner
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - SMWW President & Founder
9:00 AM - Power Moves: Behind the Curtain of NHL Agent-GM Dynamics
Doug MacLean - Former NHL GM/Coach, SMWW Mentor
Mike Curran - NHL Agent, ORR Hockey, SMWW Mentor
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - SMWW President & Founder
10:00 AM - Inside the NHL Draft War Room: Insider Strategies & Stories
EJ Hradek - NHL Network Insider
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - SMWW President & Founder
11:00 AM - Path to the Pros: How Coaches Build Future NHL Stars
Gardiner MacDougall - Moncton Wildcats Head Coach
Mark Francis - University of Oregon, Sports Business Instructor & former NCAA Hockey Coach
Moderator: Mike Oke - OHL Peterborough Petes GM, SMWW Mentor
11:45 AM - Honoring SMWW Advanced Certificate Graduates & Welcoming College Groups
12:00 PM - Buffet Lunch (included)
1:00 PM - Executive Suite: The Real Life of NHL Team Decision Makers
Doug MacLean - Former NHL GM/Coach, SMWW Mentor
Dino Caputo - WHL Penticton Vees Regional Scout, SMWW Mentor
Moderator: Mike Oke - OHL Peterborough Petes GM, SMWW Mentor
2:00 PM - Get Hired in Hockey: Sales, Events & Breaking Into the Biz
Tarah Kelly - AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds, Director of Premium Sales
Justin Peterson - Anaheim Ducks, Senior Manager of Ticket Sales
Kim Lawrence - Founder, Kim Lawrence Entertainment
Moderator: Ike Worth, SMWW Business Operations Manager
2:50 PM - Draft Day Gameplan: Make Every Minute Count
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - SMWW President & Founder
Mike Oke - OHL Peterborough Petes GM, SMWW Mentor
Dino Caputo - WHL Penticton Vees Regional Scout, SMWW Mentor
TBD - Stanley Cup Secrets: Tales from the Keeper of the Cup + Photo Op
Phil Pritchard - Hockey Hall of Fame VP & Keeper of the Stanley Cup
Moderator: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook
3:00 PM - Walk to the Peacock Theater
3:50 PM - Doors Open / Seating for Live NHL Draft Broadcast
4:00 PM - First Pick of the 2025 NHL Draft
Live from Peacock Theater
7:30 PM - Post-Draft Networking at JW Marriott
Saturday, June 28th, 2025
8:30 AM PST - Doors Open at Peacock Theater
9:00 AM PST - NHL Draft, Rounds 2-7
Note: Saturday is unstructured. Continue networking throughout the day. Wear your badge, shake hands, meet mentors, and do the SMWW Shake & Bake!
Want to Work in the NHL?
Join us in Los Angeles during the 2025 NHL Draft for a one-of-a-kind career conference designed to open doors into the world of professional hockey. Whether you're pursuing a role in front office operations, scouting, player development, analytics, sales, broadcasting, or media, this event is your all-access pass to the people who make the NHL run. Meet GMs, agents, broadcasters, and executives while attending one of the most exciting events in hockey.
Don’t Miss These Highlights:
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Exclusive Q&A with Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner
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Photo opportunity with the Stanley Cup
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Learn from real NHL GMs, agents, scouts & executives
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Break into hockey with behind-the-scenes career insight
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Connect with global hockey professionals and leaders
Who Should Attend?
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Aspiring NHL Agents, Scouts, Analysts, and GMs
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Students & Grads of Sports Management Programs
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Coaches & Broadcasters looking to transition to pro hockey
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Fans serious about turning passion into profession
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Professionals seeking to pivot careers into hockey
If you want to start or advance your career in hockey, attending the 17th annual SMWW Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft 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 Hockey 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, GMs, 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 Pittsburgh Penguins 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.
Las Vegas becomes the center of the hockey universe as NHL club executives, scouts, and coaches will all be present on the NHL Draft floor joined by hundreds of print, television, and radio media. SMWW puts you in the 100 level so you can watch the hockey executives interact and make decisions, while the media reports it to the world. Be in the heart of the action!
"If you are thinking about a career in hockey, SMWW is a cutting-edge program that offers you the skills, vital networking, mentoring, and hockey-specific training that will assist you in breaking in or advancing your career in pro or collegiate hockey. They have hundreds of graduates working at all levels of the game," says Brian Burke, Executive Director of the Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association (PWHLPA).
FAQs
Q: Do I need a separate ticket to the NHL Draft?
A: No, your SMWW registration includes NHL Draft access.
Q: Can I attend if I'm not an SMWW student?
A: Yes! This event is open to all hockey career seekers.
Q: Will I meet people who can help me get hired?
A: Absolutely. This conference is designed for serious networking.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Business casual with your SMWW name badge at all times.
2025 Featured Speakers*
*Speakers are subject to change and are not guaranteed
Doug MacLean
Former NHL Team President/GM/Head Coach
Bill Daly
NHL Deputy Commissioner
Chris Burkett
PWHL Vice President of League Operations
Caroline Jonsson
EHC Managing Director
Lauren Wolman
NHL Director of Events
Gardiner Macdougall
Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) Head Coach
Rick Curran
ORR Hockey Group NHLPA Agent
NHL Agent
Tarah Kelly
Coachella Valley Firebirds Director of Premium Sales and Service
Justin Peterson
Anaheim Ducks Senior Manager of Ticket Sales
Mark Francis
University of Oregon Senior Sports Business Instructor
EJ Hradek
Sr Reporter for NHL Network & Host, NHL Now!
Kim Lawrence
Kim Lawrence Entertainment Founder
Mike Curran
ORR Hockey Group NHLPA Agent
Mike Oke
OHL Peterborough Petes General Manager, SMWW Faculty
Dino Caputo
Penticton Vees (WHL) Regional Scout, SMWW Faculty
Phil Pritchard
Hockey Hall of Fame VP, Curator/Keeper of the Cup
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook
SMWW President & Founder, & NFLPA Agent
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I would highly recommend to anyone with a goal of pursuing a career in professional hockey that they give serious consideration in attending the SMWW Hockey Career Conference which is absolutely an incredible value for the return on the investment.
— Patrick Edwards, International Scouting Services — Hockey Scout
SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:
Check Out Our Photos From The 2024 Conference In Las Vegas!
Past Speakers
Scholarships for the Hockey 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 [email protected].
Scholarships do not include lodging or airfare. Those who have completed an SMWW training program will be given preference.
Download a Copy of the 2024 SMWW Hockey Career Conference Program Here
