AA HockeCy has signed Los Angeles Kings forward
Tyler Toffoli, Washington Capitals forward
Marcus Johansson and Winnipeg Jets forward
Mathieu Perreault.
A team of agents led by Pat Brisson and J.P. Barry will represent the players. Toffoli was represented by Newport Sports, Johansson by SMG Sports Management Group, and Perreault by 4Sports & Entertainment.
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The Kings’ Tyler Toffoli signed with CAA Hockey.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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“These three players are remarkable forwards in the prime of their careers,” Brisson said.
The signings cap off a successful few weeks for CAA Hockey in several areas of their business.
CAA Hockey represented or advised eight first-round picks in last month’s draft, including center Auston Matthews, who was taken No. 1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, selected No. 3 overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Brisson has represented the No. 1 overall pick six times, but eight first-rounders is a record for the group, Brisson said. Typically, the firm represents five or six first-round selections.
CAA Hockey had three of the four largest total unrestricted free agent contracts on the first day of NHL free agency this year.
| Player |
Deal terms |
New team |
Agency |
| Milan Lucic |
7 years/$42M |
Edmonton Oilers |
The Sports Corp. |
| Kyle Okposo |
7 years/$42M |
Buffalo Sabres |
CAA Hockey |
| Andrew Ladd |
7 years/$38.5M |
New York Islanders |
CAA Hockey |
| Loui Eriksson |
6 years/$36M |
Vancouver Canucks |
CAA Hockey |
Sources: CAA Hockey, media reports
CAA Hockey formed in 2006, when Brisson and Barry left IMG to join Creative Artists Agency’s newly launched sports practice.
Recruiting top young talent in hockey is different from other team sports, like football or basketball, where agents typically sign college players. In hockey, agents typically sign players as young as 15 years old, so projecting which of them will make it as professionals three or more years in the future is a difficult but crucial part of operating a successful hockey representation business.
CAA Hockey looks to recruit about 20 young players each year, Brisson said.
CAA Hockey also negotiated $275 million in contacts and extensions during NHL free agency, including three of the four most lucrative contracts on the first day of the signing period (see chart).
Meanwhile, some of CAA Hockey’s other star clients took home multiple trophies at the NHL Awards show in Las Vegas last month. Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane won the Art Ross Trophy (scoring), the Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by players) and the Hart Memorial Trophy, which is the league MVP award. Anze Kopitar became the first Kings player to win the Selke Trophy, given to the best defensive forward, and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, for gentlemanly conduct.
Brisson said the last few weeks have been some of the most rewarding in his 23-year career as an agent. Adding up the contracts, the first-rounders and the awards, “It is a hat trick,” he said.
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| GONZALEZ |
> WINNING A TONY: WME has signed CBS Sports NFL analyst and former Pro Bowl tight end
Tony Gonzalez for representation in all areas, including film, television, broadcasting and digital.
Brad Slater, Jim Ornstein and Brandt Joel will represent Gonzalez. He was represented by CAA. Gonzalez will continue to be managed by Constance Schwartz-Morini of SMAC Entertainment.
Gonzalez is an analyst on CBS’s “The NFL Today.” A 14-time Pro Bowl selection during his playing days, he will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.
> LAWRENCE PROMOTED: Wasserman has promoted NBA agent Greg Lawrence to senior vice president of basketball. Since 2005, Lawrence has represented 15 first-round draft picks and negotiated free agent contracts that have paid clients nearly $400 million.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
