Octagon And Progressive Sports & Entertainment Announce Exclusive Hockey Partnership
December 15, 2021
Octagon and Progressive Sports & Entertainment today announced an exclusive partnership with the agencies’ industry-leading hockey divisions. The collaboration will allow both organizations to work jointly on the recruitment and signing of players between North America and Scandinavia, which will include efforts across the NHL, AHL, SHL, HockeyAllsvenskan, HockeyEttan, Norwegian and Danish Leagues.
As part of the agreement, all current Octagon Hockey and Progressive Hockey clients will remain represented by their individual agencies. Octagon Hockey will continue to be led by Managing Director Mike Liut, and Co-Managing Director Allan Walsh. Progressive Hockey is led by CEO Anders Davidsson, and Head of Hockey Joel Larsson.
“Sweden has long been home to some of the most talented hockey players and development programs in the world, and Progressive Sports & Entertainment has been at the forefront in representing many of the best players in the country and Scandinavian region,” said Liut. “We’re excited to work in concert with Anders, Joel, and the entire Progressive team in the region, and combine our industry-leading division with their unmatched footprint and relationships across Scandinavia to create and provide greater opportunities for all of our current and future clients.”
“Octagon Hockey is a leader in the industry, and we are honored to partner with them,” said Davidsson. “We look forward to joining forces with Octagon to recruit and work with the top prospects and draft-eligible players across Sweden, and sign them to teams in the NHL and the other premier leagues throughout the sport. The collaboration will also offer new and unique opportunities in Scandinavia for all of Octagon and Progressive’s existing clients.”
“Mike and his team have unparalleled experience and a first-class reputation for long-term, successful management of their clients’ careers,” said Larsson. “We could not have a better partner.”
Octagon has a proud history in hockey that dates back over 30 years. The sports and entertainment agency has been at the forefront of sports marketing in hockey representing more than 76 first-round draft picks, 50+ NHL All-Stars, 47 Olympians, and 17 major NHL trophy winners, including the 2020 Hart Trophy Award winner Leon Draisaitl and 2021 Vezina Trophy winner Marc-André Fleury.
Progressive Hockey represents a talented and comprehensive collection of players across the sport, with the agency’s robust services and capabilities ranging from junior player family advisement to senior player agent agreements.
ABOUT OCTAGON:
Octagon is the preeminent talent management and integrated marketing agency in global sports and entertainment. The agency represents more than 900 of the most prominent and influential athletes, talent, and properties in the world, and creates distinctive marketing campaigns for some of the largest brands and Fortune 500 companies across the globe.
With more than 1,000 employees worldwide, based in 50 offices, in 20 countries Octagon is positioned in virtually all areas of sports and entertainment.
For more information about Octagon Hockey, click here or visit @OctagonHockey on Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT PROGRESSIVE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
Progressive Sports & Entertainment (PSE), with offices in Gothenburg, Sweden and Bethesda MD, USA, is a full-service management agency representing and helping athletes, broadcast personalities, events, brands, and media properties to reach their full potential. PSE’s hockey players can expect full commitment to each individual when it comes to career advice, team matching, commercial affairs as well as analysis and counseling on how to develop on and off the ice.
For more information about Progressive Hockey, click here or visit @PSE_Hockey on Twitter and Instagram.