Hockey agent Darren Ferris has launched player representation firm Definitive Hockey Group and has joined forces with several other agents, including Murray Kuntz, formerly of CAA Hockey.
Based in Oakville, Ontario, Definitive Hockey Group lists 14 NHL player and prospect clients, including Calgary center Sam Bennett, the No. 4 overall pick of the 2014 draft, and center/wing Mitch Marner, who was taken No. 4 overall by Toronto in 2015.
Ferris was not available for an interview last week but said in an email that he launched the agency at the end of last year.
“Murray recently partnered with me upon leaving CAA,” Ferris said. The group also includes agents Ryan Barnes, Rob Smith, Dylan Liptrap, Mitch Barnes, Dave Reid and Barry Jeboult, and it has a presence in Russia and the Czech Republic, Ferris said.
Both Kuntz and his former boss, Pat Brisson, CAA Hockey co-head, said the parting was amicable.
“It was mutual and made sense for both of us,” Brisson said, adding that they had separated while maintaining what he called a “healthy relationship.”
Kuntz, in an email, said, “CAA was great, have a ton of respect for that entire company.” Kuntz had worked at CAA since 2006 and was an agent at Octagon before that, according to his LinkedIn profile.
It is not clear what players, if any, will follow Kuntz to Definitive Hockey Group. As a practical matter, players usually go or stay with the agent with whom they have the closest relationship. Kuntz’s client list at CAA Hockey was not available.
Ferris launched another hockey agency, ARC Sports Group, in 2012. Canadian sports marketing and corporate consulting firm SDI Marketing was an investor in ARC.
Andy Harkness, senior vice president of sports marketing at SDI, confirmed ARC was still in existence but declined to comment on Ferris.
Before launching ARC, Ferris worked at NHL hall of famer Bobby Orr’s Orr Hockey Group, where he was known as a skilled recruiter of talented young players.
Ferris said he intends to build a full-service agency, focused on hockey and on quality rather than quantity of player clients.
“Being selective allows us to provide a far superior service,” Ferris said. “With my 22 years’ experience, I have seen a lot that I would like to change in the industry.”
