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| Photo by: GETTY IMAGES |
Mathieu Schneider
Special assistant to the executive director, NHL Players’ Association
Schneider, a 20-year NHL veteran, has quickly become the voice of the players from within the union, helping to bring changes such as the new five-day break in every team’s schedule between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28 and becoming a key voice in discussions with the league about equipment, rule changes and international growth. Those strong lines of communication will be key as the clock begins to tick toward the next NHL CBA discussion.
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| Photo by: GETTY IMAGES |
Pat Brisson
Co-head, hockey division, CAA Sports
Brisson, one of the sport’s most powerful agents, represents some of the best players in the NHL including Sidney Crosby, Auston Matthews, Patrick Kane and John Tavares. That block of CAA clients will likely be influential voices in the early discussions around the next CBA, where Olympic participation and escrow payments will likely be key issues (
see related story).
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| Photo by: GETTY IMAGES |
Ben Hankinson
Agent, Octagon
Hankinson, the Minnesota-based former NHL player who joined Octagon in 2006, helped launch the Da Beauty League, an offseason, four-on-four tournament that draws top NHLers and Octagon clients such as Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh and Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. He also is the agent of John Scott, the now-retired fighter turned All-Star Game hero who is the subject of a movie being written and produced by Mitch Albom.
