THE PROBLEM WITH ADVISORS ALSO WORKING AS JUNIOR TEAM COACHES AND STAFF Who suffers more, the team or advisor’s clients?

The numerous conflicts of interest in junior hockey can have far-reaching consequences for player development. When staff members prioritize their own interests over the needs of the team or players, it can create an uneven playing field.

Today we are going to talk about the problem with teams and organizations that employ acting advisors as general managers, coaches, and scouts. While some programs might do so to focus on generating revenue for camps, it’s clear that competing advisory companies will try to avoid getting their clients into those compromised situations, this is especially the case with the advisor is actively evaluating prospects for the team’s roster positions.

Is the GM or coach advancing personal agendas by selecting his own (or company’s) clients or doing what is in the best interest of the team? How many players are being passed over because of not being on the coach’s (or scout’s) roster of clients? Is the coach building forward lines and defensive pairings fairly? What about special team situations? Worse yet, and it happens, is someone tinkering with the scoresheets to get points to certain players or a larger shot count for client goaltenders?

There’s always a big problem when the coach, general manager, or scout displays a clear bias towards certain players rather than providing a competitive and supportive environment for players to grow. It's a bigger problem when ownership fails to comprehend what exactly is wrong with the arrangement at all.

A notable example is the 2023-24 Idaho Falls Spud Kings, where Marty Quarters served as the team’s head coach while also maintaining his position as the key element in his son’s advisory company, Rule 1 Sports. 

Did the Spud Kings coach take advantage of his position to advance Rule 1 clients? You be the judge.

A minimum of fourteen current Rule 1 clients, of the fifty-three total players, appeared in games for the Spud Kings during the 2023-24 season. That's 26.5% of all the players utilized that season. Now, we don't know if, or how many, of the other players started the season as Rule 1 clients and are no longer represented by the company. Or, how many joined Rule 1 after their time in Idaho Falls. We do know that very few, if any, returned to the Spud Kings for the 2024-25 season.

Of those fourteen, only one player advanced to NCAA Division III, one to ACHA Division I, and another to the North American Hockey League. The rest? Two remained in the NCDC and the others dropped to lower levels of junior hockey, lower levels of club hockey, or simply out of the game all together. In fact, playing in Idaho Falls seemed to be the pinnacle of their careers.

There are similar situations within the North American Hockey League and many others as well. 

Hawkeye Hockey Services' Michael Bloome also works for the NAHL's Lone Star Brahmas. Not that Brahma's bench boss Dan Wildfong even needs a any help. 

In a surprising turn of events, former NCSA advisor Dennis Canfield resigned from that position before being named as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Titans.

These examples highlight the potential risks of prioritizing personal interests over player development or the team's on-ice success. By educating players and parents about potential conflicts of interest, they can make informed decisions about which teams to join or what advisors to work with.

“If someone is coaching, scouting, or on staff with a team in any capacity, while also serving as an advisor, that person is compromised,” JDM Sports’ David Maciuk said Sunday. “He’s also not acting for what is in the best interest of the clients and families.”

The leagues should put a stop to such ridiculousness, but let's be fair, the leagues have proven the inability to maintain any sense of standards for some time. 

Programs that prioritize integrity and transparency can create a more supportive environment for players to succeed. When programs focus on the needs of the players, rather than the coach or general manager’s personal gain, players are more likely to thrive and reach their full potential.

Ultimately, the goal of junior hockey should be to provide a platform for players to develop their skills and pursue their dreams. By recognizing the potential risks in conflicts of interest and prioritizing player development, we can work towards creating a more positive and supportive environment for these young athletes to grow and succeed.