Alpha Hockey
Goalie Development Hub

Canada

$75M

Key Facts

Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
Other offices: Winnipeg/Oak Bluff, Manitoba; development network in British Columbia through Net360/Pro365
Agency type: Boutique hockey agency
Ownership: Raynold “Ray” Petkau, CEO and founder
Primary markets: NHL, AHL, CHL, NCAA, WHL, European pro leagues
Players (About $75M public active NHL contract value): 30+ total clients; 11 NHL clients; 14 NHL-drafted clients. Public active NHL table shows 7 active contracts, $75M active value, and about $16M active cap hit.
Key agents / staff: Raynold “Ray” Petkau, NHLPA Certified Player Agent and CEO; Jacqui Plett, Client Services Manager; Nick Fuher, Development Coordinator; Adam Francilia, Director of Player Development; Cathy Francilia, Nutrition and Wellness; Dan Bos, Physiotherapist
Languages: English
Contact email: ray@alphahockey.ca
Phone / WhatsApp: +1 204-371-9146
Website: https://alphahockey.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphahockeyagency/
X: https://twitter.com/alphahockey/

About Alpha Hockey

Alpha Hockey is a Manitoba-based hockey agency founded by Raynold “Ray” Petkau in 1999. Petkau built the agency from a regional player-representation base into one of the more recognizable boutique agencies in the NHL goaltending lane. The agency’s story is closely tied to long-term relationships, especially with goalies who needed more than standard contract representation.

Alpha’s most visible success has been Connor Hellebuyck, whose career arc with Winnipeg helped cement the agency’s reputation for elite goalie development, personalized preparation, and disciplined contract work. The agency also has a long relationship with James Reimer, one of Petkau’s earliest major NHL footholds, and has represented several NHL goalies across backup, tandem, starter, and veteran depth roles.

Alpha’s differentiator is its development ecosystem, especially Net360, a goalie-specific training and think-tank model that connects NHL, AHL, junior, and prospect goaltenders with performance specialists. Adam Francilia’s role inside the agency gives Alpha a more hands-on performance feel than many small agencies, with programs covering training, nutrition, wellness, mentorship, and year-round feedback. The agency’s services also include contract negotiations, contract enforcement, marketing and endorsements, tax planning, budgets, banking, draft guidance, major-junior-versus-college advice, charity work, and post-career planning.

Alpha is especially strong with Canadian and U.S. goaltenders, but its client list also includes Finnish, German, and European pro experience. In negotiation terms, the agency is best known for long-view goalie value, UFA timing, one-year veteran market fits, and protecting clients through difficult depth-chart or waiver situations. Its public active NHL contract book is smaller than the mega-agencies, but unusually concentrated in goaltending.

Client Roster

Top NHL players

• Connor Hellebuyck [Winnipeg Jets] – G – USA – 1993-05-19

• Stuart Skinner [Pittsburgh Penguins] – G – Canada – 1998-11-01

• Eric Comrie [Winnipeg Jets] – G – Canada – 1995-07-06

• James Reimer [Ottawa Senators] – G – Canada – 1988-03-15

• Laurent Brossoit [San Jose Barracuda / San Jose Sharks] – G – Canada – 1993-03-23

• Kaapo Kähkönen [Laval Rocket / Montreal Canadiens] – G – Finland – 1996-08-16

Prospects & young talents

• Ty Young [Abbotsford Canucks, AHL / Vancouver Canucks] – G – Canada – 2004-09-11

• Gannon Laroque [Montreal Canadiens system] – D – Canada – 2003-08-20

European veterans

• Thomas Greiss [Löwen Frankfurt] – G – Germany – 1986-01-29

• Justin Schultz [HC Lugano] – D – Canada – 1990-07-06

• Aaron Dell [Wichita Thunder] – G – Canada – 1989-05-04

• Martin Jones [Toronto Marlies] – G – Canada – 1990-01-10

Coaches/Staff Represented

• No separately represented coaches or staff are publicly listed.

Notable former clients

• Devan Dubnyk – represented during part of his NHL career; connected to Alpha’s goalie-development ecosystem.

• Eddie Lack – represented during his NHL career; part of Alpha’s earlier goalie group.

• Troy Grosenick – former Alpha/Net360-linked goalie depth client.

Highlights

• Negotiation style: relationship-driven, goalie-specific, and long-term security focused.

• NHLPA/CBA expertise: UFA goalie extensions, veteran one-year contracts, AHL/NHL depth structures, ELC management, waiver-sensitive career planning.

• Network strengths: NHL goalie departments, AHL depth markets, WHL/CHL scouting, NCAA/college pathway advice, and European goalie options.

• Development pipeline: Net360 goalie development, Pro365 performance programming, off-ice training, nutrition, wellness, and mentorship.

• Commercial capability: player marketing platforms, endorsements, charity/event support, and family-style client management.

• Specialty lane: one of the clearest goalie-focused boutique agencies in the NHL agency market.

Agency Snapshot

Origin story

• Founded in 1999 by Ray Petkau, who had played, coached, scouted, and managed hockey at several levels before building Alpha Hockey.

• Petkau became a registered agent in 2001 and later developed Alpha into a small but highly specialized NHL goalie agency.

• The agency’s early reputation was built through personal relationships, including James Reimer, then expanded through higher-profile NHL goaltenders.

Milestones

• 1999 – Alpha Hockey established by Ray Petkau.

• 2001 – Petkau became a registered player agent.

• 2016 – James Reimer signed a five-year, $17.0M UFA contract with Florida.

• 2018 – Connor Hellebuyck signed a six-year, $37.0M RFA extension with Winnipeg.

• 2023 – Hellebuyck signed a seven-year, $59.5M extension with Winnipeg, including NMC/M-NTC protection.

• 2024 – Laurent Brossoit signed a two-year, $6.6M UFA contract with Chicago.

• 2024 – Stuart Skinner changed representation to Alpha Hockey.

• 2025 – Kaapo Kähkönen signed a one-year, $1.15M contract with Montreal.

• 2026 – James Reimer signed a one-year, $850K contract with Ottawa.

Network strengths

• North America: NHL, AHL, CHL, WHL, NCAA decision-making, and goalie-development networks.

• Europe: European pro options for veteran goalies and defensemen, including Switzerland and Germany.

• Specialty lanes: goaltenders, late-developing goalies, veteran backup markets, return-to-form development, and off-ice performance systems.

Support Team / Partners

• Ray Petkau – NHLPA Certified Player Agent, CEO, contract negotiations, recruiting, marketing, endorsements, development oversight.

• Adam Francilia – player development, performance programming, Pro365, Net360, nutrition and wellness support.

• Jacqui Plett – client services, marketing support, event logistics, charitable programs, NetStart administration.

• Nick Fuher – development coordination and player support.

• Cathy Francilia – nutrition and wellness support.

• Dan Bos – physiotherapy support.

• Independent financial advisors – tax planning, budgets, banking, and cross-border financial guidance.

• External specialists – legal, analytics, training, and performance partners used as needed.

Notable Deals Led by Alpha Hockey

• 2026 – James Reimer: Ottawa Senators – UFA signing – 1 year – $850K total value – $850K AAV.

• 2025 – Kaapo Kähkönen: Montreal Canadiens – UFA signing – 1 year – $1.15M total value – $1.15M AAV.

• 2024 – Laurent Brossoit: Chicago Blackhawks – UFA signing – 2 years – $6.6M total value – $3.3M AAV.

• 2024 – Eric Comrie: Winnipeg Jets – UFA signing – 2 years – $1.65M total value – $825K AAV.

• 2023 – Connor Hellebuyck: Winnipeg Jets – UFA extension – 7 years – $59.5M total value – $8.5M AAV – NMC early, modified no-trade protection later.

• 2023 – Ty Young: Vancouver Canucks – entry-level contract – 3 years – $2.475M total value – $825K cap hit.

• 2022 – Gannon Laroque: San Jose Sharks – entry-level contract – 3 years – $2.510M total value – $836,667 cap hit.

• 2022 – Justin Schultz: Seattle Kraken – UFA signing – 2 years – $6.0M total value – $3.0M AAV.

• 2021 – James Reimer: San Jose Sharks – UFA signing – 2 years – $4.5M total value – $2.25M AAV – modified no-trade protection.

• 2021 – Laurent Brossoit: Vegas Golden Knights – UFA signing – 2 years – $4.65M total value – $2.325M AAV.

• 2018 – Connor Hellebuyck: Winnipeg Jets – RFA extension – 6 years – $37.0M total value – $6.17M AAV.

• 2016 – James Reimer: Florida Panthers – UFA signing – 5 years – $17.0M total value – $3.4M AAV.

Track Record (Last 3 Seasons)

• NHL contracts signed: 5 public active/significant deals from 2023-24 through 2025-26.

• Total public value signed: about $71.0M across Hellebuyck, Brossoit, Comrie, Kähkönen, and Reimer.

• Total active NHL contract value: $74.74M.

• Total active NHL cap hit: $16.29M.

• Extensions/renewals: 1 major long-term extension, Connor Hellebuyck’s seven-year Winnipeg deal.

• ELCs signed: 1 in the last three seasons, Ty Young with Vancouver.

• RFA outcomes: limited public RFA activity in the current three-season window.

• Arbitration cases: no public heard arbitration cases found in the current three-season window.

• Europe transfers: visible veteran movement includes Thomas Greiss, Justin Schultz, Martin Jones, and Aaron Dell outside full-time NHL roles.

• Agency profile: small active NHL contract count, but high concentration in goaltending and one elite-value franchise goalie contract.

Compliance & Accreditation

• Ray Petkau is publicly listed by Alpha Hockey as an NHLPA Certified Player Agent.

• Alpha’s NHLPA-facing representation is centered on Petkau rather than a large multi-agent certification bench.

• No public national federation registrations are prominently listed.

• Professional liability insurance is not publicly stated.

• No public ethics, disciplinary, or compliance issues were found in reliable public materials.

Testimonials

• Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets goaltender: “He cares about more than just hockey, he cares about the person.”

• James Reimer – goaltender: “Ray, who has become a close friend, always takes time to listen first.”

• Jimmy Roy – player development coach: “The respect and integrity Ray brings to the sport of hockey goes above and beyond.”

• Public media characterization: Alpha is often described as a boutique agency with a distinct goalie-development niche through Net360.

Press, Awards & Recognition

• 2017 – Connor Hellebuyck’s training changes with Alpha and Adam Francilia profiled by NHL.com.

• 2018 – Ray Petkau’s Steinbach-based agency and Hellebuyck contract success profiled by Global News.

• 2019 – Adam Francilia and Alpha’s goalie-development work profiled by Winnipeg Free Press.

• 2021 – Petkau’s goalie-focused work and relationship with elite NHL goaltenders featured by SteinbachOnline.

• 2022 – Alpha highlighted in theScore’s agency innovation series for its Net360 goaltending program.

• 2024 – Stuart Skinner’s move to Alpha Hockey covered by hockey media as a notable representation change.