If you are a hockey player that is looking to get drafted or seeking advice, you will want to secure a high-quality agent who has your best interests in mind. Yes, agents need to make money for themselves, but you don’t want somebody who is willing to sacrifice your livelihood for a few extra bucks. They have to have a balanced understanding of the hockey world and of your personal interests. If you are in the market for a hockey agent, consider some of these tips as you find your potential match.

Honesty

This is probably the most important trait in an agent, as you need to be able to trust them with your negotiations and finances. If at any point you feel that your agent isn’t being completely honest with you, it is probably time to find someone new. Make sure that your agent is willing to disclose any and all information with you, including the times that you may have been rejected or given negative feedback. Don’t let your agent shower you with sunshine and rainbows only to find out that they were not truthful the entire time.

You need an agent that will sometimes be willing to hurt your feelings if the truth is on the line. Leading you on to believe that you have a chance with a certain team may help your confidence in the short-run, but it will only serve to hurt you in the long-run as it will compromise opportunities you may have had with other teams and might even soothe you into a false sense of security. Always make sure that you trust your agent to tell you the truth and to look out for your best interests.

Availability

If you can’t get a hold of your agent, how are you supposed to know what sort of progress you are making? Yes, agents have busy schedules and often service a boatload of clients, but they must be able to communicate with you within a reasonable amount of time. After all, they are working to find you a team and a deal that could change your life. It is important to be able to get a hold of your agent at virtually any time.

This doesn’t mean to ditch an agent just because he didn’t answer your call once. Realize that he is busy and evaluate him based on whether or not he calls you back and the level of urgency he has when doing so. If you need to keep calling him in order to get in touch with him, then maybe it is time to consider someone else. However, if he calls you back immediately and keeps all lines of communication open as often as possible, you might have a solid, trustworthy agent on your hands.

Passion

Some agents show more emotion than their clients when it comes to landing a gig. This is a great quality in an agent, and yours should show that he really wants you to find a team and sign a deal. He should constantly be searching for new deals and be just as if not more excited than you when he gets a lead. Would you really want an agent that seems like he doesn’t care whether or not you succeed in hockey?

Passionate agents are usually more hard-working and able to get the job done. They enjoy what they’re doing to the extent that they won’t give up until they succeed. Their livelihood depends on it, and they want to witness your success not only as an agent but also as a sports fan. Many of them are obsessed with sports, and that’s why they are so good with numbers and negotiations. Don’t settle for a lackluster agent who is just going through the motions. Find someone who is passionate about the game and about your success.

Good Reputation

Sometimes, agents can be known as manipulative, slimy, or just dishonest. These are not the kind of people you want working for you, even if they’ve experienced a good amount of success in the past. In the long run, teams and players don’t enjoy working with these agents, as they are only out to make as much money as possible and they will drop you at the first sign of a decline in play or any disagreement.

Make sure to do your homework and talk to other players and/or parents about agents with whom they have experience. You want to find someone that has a sterling reputation across the sport. Your agent can be a reflection of you, and you don’t want teams to think that you are simply a greedy player who wants to sign the biggest cheque possible. You want to convey an image of someone who will work hard and is passionate about the game. The team wants to know that you are committed to helping them win, not just cashing a cheque every week. Picking the right agent can have a strong effect on your personal image, so choose wisely

Communication

This goes hand in hand with availability, but you want an agent that has strong communication skills and lets you know what’s going on at every turn. If he is holding information from you or is simply unable to articulate what he is working on, it will be difficult to maintain a strong relationship with him. Make sure that you get along with him and that your conversations are natural and productive.

Your agent should be able to speak via phone, text, email, and in person. You don’t want someone that just sticks to one form of communication, as this makes it difficult to get a hold of him and may hinder your ability to sign a good deal. You should always be in talks with your agent, finding out the most recent news all over the league as well as learning what he has planned for your future in the sport.

These 5 areas are only a few factors to keep in mind. Remember first impressions and gut instinct can and should always be considered as well when making this decision.