Advisor Horror Stories – Part 1
Over the last several years I’ve experienced a dramatic increase in the number of advisors and the usage of advisors in the Youth and Junior Hockey landscape. There have been some benefits for many kids in their interactions with advisors, and I would consider some advisors to be personal friends of mine, however overall, I have seen more negatives than positives. Let’s be clear… the advisory “business” is an unregulated, non- licensed business that directly preys upon someone’s lack of knowledge and understanding. That is the nuts and bolts of the business.
Most of the Advisors who I have come in contact with for the positive have been international advisors. These advisors help athletes with a wide variety of barriers achieve their dream of playing in the US or Canada. They assist with Visa paperwork, language and translation issues and much more. They search out programs that can help their athletes succeed and enjoy a fulfilling athletic opportunity while playing overseas. For many international parents, the emphasis is on safety and the experience. They want a nurturing host family, ESL classes, educational opportunities, coaches and teams they can trust and dedicated facilities which can assist their player.
Over the next couple weeks, I will write of some of the Horror Stories I’ve experienced in dealing with Advisors. The negative and bad advice they have given to players and much more. This is an attempt to pull back the curtain a little bit on this type of “profession”. I hope it encourages players and parents to strongly consider their options. Moreover, I hope it helps some people in the business to elevate their games and become better at what they do. I will leave all players names out of the story… however, I can assure you these are 100% accurate if you do a little homework.
CASE #1- The Swastika
During the 2018-19 season we had a young player on our EHL Premier team who was performing very well. His advisor all season was calling our staff to have him elevated to the EHL roster, saying he was outperforming the league and if he wasn’t elevated, was going to quit.
We informed him that we did not believe he was outperforming the league, and that we would love to get him EHL games if he could just curtail his careless penalties (he was leading the league in penalties) and demonstrate greater maturity off the ice. Further down the season we started to hear rumors of racist and gender biased comments that he was making. A player on the EHL was dating an African American girl, and when he attempted to confront the EHLP player, I received a 3 way call from the parent and advisor steadfastly defending the EHLP player. I informed him of the rumors of the negative racial comments at which a reply of “I was taught when I was a kid that sticks and stones break bones, but names never hurt.”
We traded the player following the comment and won the EHL Premier championship later that year.
After leaving we learned that the player carved a swastika into his host families lamp shade. He now is playing ACHA hockey.
CASE #2 – The Tier II Tryout
We signed a nice young player for our roster for the 2023-24 EHL Premier season. We liked his size, skating ability, and quick release.
As a defenseman, we felt he would flourish with our playing style, and our weekly defenseman-specific skill sessions. Given that the player had yet to reach what we felt was his ceiling, playing as a young player in the EHL Premier was a good fit. He could develop, get minutes and be on a good team, with one of the best billet families we have in the program.
After 4 games (in which his team was 3-1 and he recorded an assist), I got a call from his Advisor stating that he was leaving the team. The Advisor had seemingly gotten him a Tier II tryout in September and now he was going to quit his current team to pursue that opportunity.
We released him at that point, and the player left to tryout at the Tier II level.
In looking at his EP the player nearly immediately joined an NA3HL team and never saw a minute at the Tier II level. In fact, he has no actual games listed on the season past the EHL Premier games he played at the beginning of the year. The Tier II “Tryout” did not work, and he left a great billet, teammates that liked him, an opportunity for internal advancement to the EHL, community service hours as part of the program, and chance to be part of team.
Over the next several weeks I will continue to write first – hand accounts of experiences like these. I hope it sheds light on the many interactions I’ve had with Advisors over the years. Once again… not all advisors are bad. Established, trust worthy agents and advisors can provide immense help to many people. However, this business is unregulated and exists outside of any governing body. There is no oversight… so choose wisely who you are getting your advice from.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
