Being the agent of a celebrity requires hard work and dedication and a thick skin. An NHL agent, much like the agent for a baseball player or actor, acts as a representative for the athlete when dealing with the player's team. An agent must be able to negotiate such as contracts, manage relationships between player and team and educate his client on contract details. Currently, there are over 150 certified NHL agents
Education
Agents for hockey players should have a professional degree or background. Most have a law degree, economics background and business training. These are pre-requisites because contracts are a legally binding agreement between a player and his team. The ability to negotiate contracts and crunch numbers, especially in a salary cap era, requires extensive education and background in the mentioned fields. Players may also look to their agent for financial planning advice or services.
Certification
Before anyone can represent a National Hockey League player, they must be approved by the National Hockey League Player's Association. A wannabe agent must complete the "Application for Certification as an NHLPA Player Agent." This application is a questionnaire that provides detailed information on a person's education and background. This questionnaire must be requested in writing to the NHLPA.
Knowledge
To be a successful agent, one must know his client and the sport. He must understand the player's strengths and weaknesses. An agent has to be able to sell his client's abilities to a team in order to receive the best contract for the player. An agent must also be knowledgeable about the sport of hockey, understand how the game works and how teams are constructed so that the agent can advise the player on the best team for which to play.
Determine Fees
A hockey player employs an agent, therefore the agent is paid by the player. The agents makes a percentage of his client's salary, from playing contract to endorsements. An agent must set up the fees they charge and what percentage they will take from the player. Agents can command fees from signing bonuses, games played bonuses, performance bonuses, salary and playoff bonuses.
