Advisor Horror Stories – Part 2
Following last weeks advisor tales, I received a number of people reaching out to share their experiences. Thank you to all who have communicated their stories. So here comes part two, and once again these stories are my own personal experiences…
Once again, 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.
Again, let’s be clear… the advisory “business” is an unregulated, non- licensed business that directly preys upon someone’s lack of knowledge and understanding. The less a parent knows… the more an advisor benefits.
CASE #3- The Criminal
In the 2020-21 COVID season, hockey was in a panic. Many players, parents, leagues and coaches did not know what the season would and could look like. Within the scramble of activity, we attempted to recruit several players from a relatively local post- graduate prep school in a neighboring state.
The players expressed an interest, were good fits for the level, and all had ambitions of using Junior Hockey to reach NCAA hockey following their Prep school days. Some even had a strong familiarity with our program as the year prior one of the programs top defenseman had played for our team and been a huge part of our teams success.
But none of the players signed with us.
3, 4, maybe even 5 players who we wanted in the program chose a new expansion team to the East of us. What was in the water?
Now mind you… I never stress over a player choosing another program over us. Kids have different needs and values, and sometimes our program is not a perfect fit. However, in a season with so much volatility and unknowns as the COVID 2020-21 year, picking a sure thing as our established program in a state like New Hampshire (the Live Free or Die State) over the more liberal state to our immediate East, would make a lot of sense.
But it didnt. The players all went to the unestablished expansion program.
Then we found out they all had the same advisor. This is where it gets interesting.
The new expansion team had created a deal with the advisor to compensate each player put under contract for the 2020-21 season with their program. Where this isn’t an uncommon or unlawful practice, the backstory of the advisor who was interacting with these players was extremely troubling.
Enter an advisor who was charged with multiple counts of computer related crimes involving hockey players and on USA Hockey and Safesport’s Permanently ineligible list.
The expansion team had been working with a known criminal to acquire players.
Fast forward to October 2020, and the expansion team closed their doors and did not operate for the remainder of the year, the only team in league to do so that season. Come October, all of those players who were given advice to sign with the expansion team were looking for new places to play.
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. Most of the international advisors I have worked with have been tremendous benefits for their clients and players. Visa paperwork, language and translation issues and much more are needed for these players to arrive, thrive and play hockey in the US. However, no background checks are required to become a player Advisor. Advisors are not approved or sanctioned. There simply is no oversight… so choose wisely who you are getting your advice from.
Enjoy the rest of your week. Part 3 comes next week.
