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Labor and Agents

Former player Jackson represents likely No. 1 NHL draft pick

More than 20 years after injury cut short Jeff Jackson’s career as an NHL player, he is an agent representing the most anticipated hockey prospect in years, Connor McDavid.

McDavid, a center, is expected to be taken No. 1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL draft June 26. Jackson, a partner in Orr Hockey Group, serves as McDavid’s primary agent.
McDavid has been compared to Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, the No. 1 pick in 2005. Hall of famer Wayne Gretzky told the Edmonton Journal earlier this year that McDavid is “the best player to come into the league in 30 years.”

While expectations couldn’t be higher for McDavid, Jackson sees his job as helping keep his 18-year-old client’s feet on the ground.

McDavid, 18, is finishing school and prepping for the NHL draft.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
“He’s back at home, finishing high school,” Jackson said when asked where McDavid was last week.

McDavid was splitting his time between studying for finals and working out with hockey trainer Gary Roberts. “He’s got the NHL combine this week,” Jackson said. “He’s got exams in two weeks, and the week after that is the draft.”

While Jackson is McDavid’s primary agent, Orr Hockey Group partner Dave Gagner is assisting in representing him in hockey matters. Jackson negotiated his endorsement deals with veteran marketing executive Dan Cimoroni, founder and CEO of Cimoroni & Co.

At the age of 15, McDavid signed a deal with Reebok brand CCM for hockey equipment and apparel. In recent months, Jackson and Cimoroni negotiated multiyear deals with Canadian Tire, Rogers Communications, Power Edge Pro and Upper Deck.

Jackson is involved in representing about 25 hockey players and is the primary agent for defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who was picked No. 1 by the Florida Panthers last year. It’s been only three years since Jackson became an agent. Orr Hockey Group managing partner Rick Curran hired him to replace Darren Ferris, an agent who left the Orr group to start his own firm.

“When Darren told me he was leaving, Jeff was the first guy I thought of and went after,” said Curran, who was Jackson’s agent when Jackson was a player.

Jackson was drafted No. 28 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1983 and played for the Leafs and three other teams. In 1991, he shattered the radius bone in his left forearm during a game, and the injury forced him to retire from the ice a year later. Jackson went to law school and practiced sports and entertainment law for several years, then went on to work for the Maple Leafs as assistant general manager before being hired by Orr Hockey Group.

There are other strong players in this year’s draft, including Boston University forward Jack Eichel. “There is a certain amount of suspense the league likes to have with the draft,” Jackson said. “They [the Oilers] have not indicated 100 percent that they will take Connor, but it would seem to me he would be a lot of people’s first pick.”

Jackson’s success in representing two young potential superstars in such a short time is unheard of in the competitive agent business. “I am very fortunate,” Jackson said. “I have worked hard in my life, but I’ve had a lot of luck, too. I played in the NHL. I worked in the NHL. I was a lawyer. I have some top clients.”

> CAA SIGNS GALLOWAY: Creative Artists Agency has signed ESPN college football analyst and former NFL wide receiver Joey Galloway for representation. At CAA, Galloway will be represented by a team of agents. He was formerly represented by The Legacy Agency.

Sources say Galloway will become part of ESPN’s “College Football Final” postgame show crew this season, SportsBusiness Journal reported last week.

Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.

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