Sports Management Worldwide
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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 theNHL 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:
Exclusive Q&A with Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner
Photo opportunity with the Stanley Cup
Learn from real NHL GMs, agents, scouts & executives
Break into hockey with behind-the-scenes career insight
Connect with global hockey professionals and leaders
Who Should Attend?
Aspiring NHL Agents, Scouts, Analysts, and GMs
Students & Grads of Sports Management Programs
Coaches & Broadcasters looking to transition to pro hockey
Fans serious about turning passion into profession
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
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
Chris Keeney: Columbus Crew, Vice President of Ticket Sales
Dave Robinson: Hamilton Bulldogs, Corporate Sales Executive
Joseph Cote: Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Clippers Executive, Director of Season Ticket Sales
Tim Cranston: Certified NHLPA Agent
Patrice Cormier: Prospective 2008 First Round NHL Draft Pick
Jim Benning: Boston Bruins. Director of Player Personnel
Matt Ebbs: International Scouting Services, GM
Jim Price: RinkNet, President and Founder
Dennis McCaroll: Rinknet, Program Support Specialist
Travis MacMillian: University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Former HC
Paul Henry: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL Scout
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.
Thank you! We will let you know as soon as conference dates are announced!
Success Stories
Mat Billette
Volta Sports & Entertainment Director - Partnership
Jacob Gollapalli
Philadelphia Flyers Game Day Operations
Sheryar Abdullah
Calgary Video Scout
Brian Burke Calgary Flames GM
"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."
Mike Johnston Portland Winterhawks GM/Head Coach Former Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach
"SMWW is a quality organization. I personally have hired their graduates!"
EJ Hradek NHL Network
"SMWW offers a tremendous opportunity for people to break into a career on the business side of hockey."
The SMWW NHL Draft Career Conference is the most valuable and interesting career conference I have ever been to. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
The SMWW NHL Draft Career Conference is the most valuable and interesting career conference I have ever been to. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
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.
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.
The stories and honesty of each speaker was very informative and helpful. I left with more confidence that ever, this conference is filled with guidance.
The stories and honesty of each speaker was very informative and helpful. I left with more confidence that ever, this conference is filled with guidance.
SMWW’s hockey conference is where I found my first job in hockey. Today I am the Head Scout of the Concordia University Men’s team and a scout for the Moncton Wildcats. I would not have built the contacts that got me to where I am today without attending their conferences.
SMWW’s hockey conference is where I found my first job in hockey. Today I am the Head Scout of the Concordia University Men’s team and a scout for the Moncton Wildcats. I would not have built the contacts that got me to where I am today without attending their conferences.
Everything about the SMWW Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft was extremely professional and it's an experience that I will remember forever. I met so many incredible people and gained a lot of connections; without this opportunity, I'm not sure that I could've gained the type of connections that I did. Thank you for an incredible weekend!
Everything about the SMWW Hockey Career Conference at the NHL Draft was extremely professional and it's an experience that I will remember forever. I met so many incredible people and gained a lot of connections; without this opportunity, I'm not sure that I could've gained the type of connections that I did. Thank you for an incredible weekend!
I took the Hockey GM and Scouting Course iand it taught me the ins and outs of hockey as well as what to look for in a player. I started scouting in the North American 3 Hockey League for 5 years, the NAHL for 3 years and just hired on with the Madison Capitols in the United States Hockey League. Through the learnings of the course and connections I’ve made along the way, I wouldn’t be where I am today without SMWW. Also, I attended the NHL Draft which was a great networking event and I had the opportunity to share my progress and goals with Dr. Lashbrook.
I took the Hockey GM and Scouting Course iand it taught me the ins and outs of hockey as well as what to look for in a player. I started scouting in the North American 3 Hockey League for 5 years, the NAHL for 3 years and just hired on with the Madison Capitols in the United States Hockey League. Through the learnings of the course and connections I’ve made along the way, I wouldn’t be where I am today without SMWW. Also, I attended the NHL Draft which was a great networking event and I had the opportunity to share my progress and goals with Dr. Lashbrook.
SMWW’s Hockey Career Conference provides a strong foundation for building a career in the hockey industry and growing the network to do so. The speakers are incredibly knowledgeable and approachable. The entire staff at SMWW is driven and committed to helping you reach the next level in your career.
SMWW’s Hockey Career Conference provides a strong foundation for building a career in the hockey industry and growing the network to do so. The speakers are incredibly knowledgeable and approachable. The entire staff at SMWW is driven and committed to helping you reach the next level in your career.
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.
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.
This year’s conference was well organized and amazing. From the moment I stepped through the door at 7 am until the finish of the draft, I was amazed. All the featured guest speakers were very informative and impressive. The biggest and best surprise was seeing the Cup in the flesh!!
This year’s conference was well organized and amazing. From the moment I stepped through the door at 7 am until the finish of the draft, I was amazed. All the featured guest speakers were very informative and impressive. The biggest and best surprise was seeing the Cup in the flesh!!
Alyssa, Since the NHL Draft Conference, it's been a game-changer to me. The amount of confidence I was able to obtain and how people think at your conference is on another level. I can't thank you, Dr. Lashbrook, and the rest of the SMWW team enough for changing my mentality and the opportunities I’ve been given in hockey. Thanks to the conference, I will be working with a hockey academy in Calgary Alberta Canada this upcoming season. Thank you!
Alyssa, Since the NHL Draft Conference, it's been a game-changer to me. The amount of confidence I was able to obtain and how people think at your conference is on another level. I can't thank you, Dr. Lashbrook, and the rest of the SMWW team enough for changing my mentality and the opportunities I’ve been given in hockey. Thanks to the conference, I will be working with a hockey academy in Calgary Alberta Canada this upcoming season. Thank you!
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.
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.
I have been coming to this conference for three years, and every time I learn something new. The speakers are all willing to help you succeed. The first step is going to the conference, networking with anyone and everyone there, and even taking SMWW courses.
I have been coming to this conference for three years, and every time I learn something new. The speakers are all willing to help you succeed. The first step is going to the conference, networking with anyone and everyone there, and even taking SMWW courses.
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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.
Mat Billette
Jacob Gollapalli
Sheryar Abdullah
This is an intimate, behind-the-scenes event designed to get you face-to-face with the people who run the game.
