First Line Sports Agency
Europe Placement Specialists
Canada N/A
Key Facts
Also known as: FLS Hockey, First Line Sports, First Line Sports Agency UG
Founded: Not publicly stated; launched by Andrew Johnston after his professional playing career and Coventry University sport-management MSc
Headquarters: Not publicly stated; DEL licensing lists First Line Sports Agency UG in Reilingen, Germany
Other offices: European contact base through France/Germany; North American support through Canada-based Austin Glover
Agency type: Mid-size hockey-specialist agency
Ownership: Andrew Johnston, founder / agent; Austin Glover listed as agent
Primary markets: Europe leagues, DEL, DEL2, ICEHL, Liiga, HockeyAllsvenskan, Ligue Magnus, EIHL, Erste Liga, KHL/VHL, ECHL, NCAA, U Sports, junior pathways
Players ($0 public active NHL contract value; $0 active NHL cap hit): 155+ total clients; 3 NHL clients; 9 NHL-drafted clients
Key agents: Austin Glover, Andrew Johnston
Languages: English, French; European placement network suggests German/Scandinavian market coverage through partners
Contact email: firstlinesportsagency@gmail.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +33 6 52 55 85 48
Website: https://www.flshockey.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstlinesportsagency/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-johnston-002306107/
About First Line Sports Agency
First Line Sports Agency is a full-service hockey representation firm built around player placement, contract negotiation, and hands-on career support across Europe and North America. The agency was launched by Andrew Johnston, a former professional forward who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers before playing in the AHL, ECHL, France, Hungary, the EIHL, and other European markets. Johnston studied Business Economics at the University of Saskatchewan and later completed a Master’s in Sport Management at Coventry University, giving the agency a mix of player-side experience and formal sport-business training. Austin Glover, another former WHL, U Sports, and European pro forward, is also listed as an agent.
FLS is not a cap-heavy NHL negotiation shop; its strongest lane is helping players find the right professional fit in Europe. The public roster is broad, with 158 listed clients and placements across Liiga, ICEHL, DEL/DEL2, KHL, France, Romania, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and other leagues. Its client base includes veteran North American imports, European league producers, goaltenders, NCAA/U Sports graduates, and players moving from AHL/ECHL backgrounds into overseas careers. The agency’s service model covers salary, housing, travel, immigration, accounting, insurance, tax preparation, financial planning, training, nutrition, and amateur advisory work. First Line’s official service language is practical and player-first: getting clients into the right jobs and supporting them on and off the ice. The affiliate relationship with HockeyConsulting adds further European club-market reach, especially in Scandinavia and Central Europe. FLS is especially useful for players who may not be on a current NHL track but need reliable contract execution, league matching, and cross-border career planning.
Client Roster
Top NHL / NHL-Experienced Players
Jeremy Welsh [CSM Corona Brașov] – F – Canada – 1988-04-30
Michael McNiven [Blue Devils Weiden] – G – Canada – 1997-07-09
Kevin Clark [EC-KAC, latest] – F – Canada – 1987-12-29
Top Professional Players
David Levin [CSM Corona Brașov] – F – Israel / Canada – 1999-09-16
David Åslin [Brinkens IF] – F – Sweden – 1989-07-26
Janne Laakkonen [Peterborough Phantoms] – F – Finland – 1982-04-15
Brett Stapley [Pelicans] – F – Canada – 1999-02-23
Emil Oksanen [Mont-Blanc] – F – Finland – 1998-09-25
Nick Pastujov [BIK Karlskoga] – F – United States / Russia – 1998-01-21
Denis Smirnov [Greenville Swamp Rabbits] – F – Russia – 1997-08-12
Riley Sawchuk [Lada Togliatti] – C – Canada – 1999-03-18
Steven Jandric [Lukko] – LW – Canada – 1997-08-18
Max Ellis [HK Sochi] – RW – United States – 2000-01-18
Prospects & Young Talents
Brett Stapley [Pelicans, Liiga] – F – Canada – 1999-02-23
Max Ellis [HK Sochi, KHL] – RW – United States – 2000-01-18
Nick Pastujov [BIK Karlskoga, HockeyAllsvenskan] – F – United States / Russia – 1998-01-21
Emil Oksanen [Mont-Blanc, France2] – F – Finland – 1998-09-25
Connor Ford [Jukurit, Liiga] – C/LW – United States – 1998-02-05
Goalies
Michael McNiven [Blue Devils Weiden] – G – Canada – 1997-07-09
Devin Williams [ERC Ingolstadt] – G – United States / Germany – 1995-10-30
Shane Owen [Fife Flyers] – G – Canada – 1990-06-04
Richard Sabol [Latest public club not confirmed] – G – Slovakia – 1994-01-31
Coaches/Staff Represented
No publicly verified coaches or team staff represented.
Notable Former Clients
Public former-client data is not separated clearly from First Line’s current portfolio, so no unsupported former-client claims are added.
Highlights
Negotiation style: practical, placement-focused, and built around finding the right club fit.
Contract scope: salary, bonuses, housing, travel, immigration, insurance, and contract terms.
Network strengths: Europe-first player placement, especially for North American imports and European league veterans.
Development pipeline: NCAA, U Sports, junior, ECHL/AHL, and Europe transition planning.
Support model: training, nutrition, financial/accounting support, tax planning, and amateur advisory.
Differentiator: agents with recent professional playing experience in North America and Europe.
Agency Snapshot
Origin Story
Andrew Johnston moved into representation after a pro career that included a Flyers ELC, AHL/ECHL experience, and several European leagues.
Johnston’s sport-management MSc and playing background shape the agency’s hands-on advisory style.
Austin Glover adds WHL, U Sports, and European playing experience to the agency team.
Milestones
2010s – Andrew Johnston begins his pro career after signing a Flyers entry-level contract.
2019-2020 – Johnston completes his sport-management MSc at Coventry University.
Early 2020s – First Line Sports Agency grows its public European-placement profile.
2025 – David Levin continues with CSM Corona Brașov for 2025-26.
2025 – First Line clients are visible across KHL, Liiga, ICEHL, France, Romania, EIHL, Norway and Sweden.
2026 – First Line Sports Agency UG appears on the DEL licensed-player-intermediary list.
2026 – The public agency listing shows 158 total clients, 3 NHL clients and 9 NHL-drafted clients.
Network Strengths
North America: NCAA, U Sports, WHL, AHL/ECHL and amateur advisory pathways.
Europe: Germany, France, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway, UK, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Russia/KHL markets.
Specialty lanes: North American imports to Europe, late bloomers, veteran forwards, goaltenders, and players seeking stable overseas placements.
Support Team / Partners
Andrew Johnston – founder / agent; former pro forward; sport-management MSc
Austin Glover – agent; former WHL, U Sports and European pro forward
HockeyConsulting – listed affiliate
Sam Jones Hockey Performance – training and nutrition partner
Cascade Hockey – hockey analytics and mentorship partner
Global tax specialists – accounting and cross-border tax support
Financial planning / insurance / mortgage broker network – listed support services
Skills coaches and strength coaches – on-ice and off-ice training network
Notable Deals Led by First Line Sports Agency
2026 – Michael McNiven: Blue Devils Weiden – Europe goalie contract – 2026-27 – value undisclosed
2026 – Devin Williams: ERC Ingolstadt – DEL goalie contract – through 2027-28 – value undisclosed
2026 – Connor Ford: Jukurit – Liiga signing – 2026-27 – value undisclosed
2026 – Nick Pastujov: BIK Karlskoga – HockeyAllsvenskan signing – through 2026-27 – value undisclosed
2025 – Brett Stapley: Pelicans – Liiga contract – 2025-26 plus option – value undisclosed
2025 – David Levin: CSM Corona Brașov – renewal / Europe contract – 2025-26 – value undisclosed
2025 – Riley Sawchuk: Lada Togliatti – KHL placement – 2025-26 – value undisclosed
2025 – Max Ellis: HK Sochi – KHL placement – 2025-26 – value undisclosed
2025 – Steven Jandric: Lukko – Liiga placement – 2025-26 – value undisclosed
2025 – Emil Oksanen: Mont-Blanc – France2 signing – 2025-26 – value undisclosed
Track Record (Last 3 Seasons)
NHL contracts signed: 0 publicly tracked active NHL contracts.
Total value signed: $0 public active NHL contract value.
Total AAV represented: $0 public active NHL cap hit.
Extensions/renewals: No public NHL extensions; multiple Europe renewals and placements visible.
ELCs signed: 0 publicly tracked NHL ELCs.
RFA outcomes: 0 publicly tracked NHL RFA outcomes.
Arbitration cases: No public NHL arbitration filings or hearings found.
Europe transfers: 10+ visible player placements across KHL, Liiga, DEL, DEL2, HockeyAllsvenskan, EIHL, France, Romania and Norway.
Aggregate client market value: European salaries are not public; no active NHL cap value listed.
Compliance & Accreditation
First Line Sports Agency UG is listed among DEL licensed player intermediaries.
Andrew Johnston is listed publicly as the agency founder / agent.
Austin Glover is listed publicly as an agency representative.
No NHLPA-certified agent is publicly listed for First Line Sports Agency.
No public professional liability insurance statement found.
No public disciplinary or ethics issue found in reliable sources.
Testimonials
First Line Sports Agency – “We help hockey players find the right jobs.”
First Line Sports Agency – describes its model as a “hands on approach” for clients on and off the ice.
First Line Sports Agency – says it helps players find the “best fit” for their careers.
HockeyConsulting affiliate material emphasizes market monitoring, contract negotiation support, and long-term career planning.
Press, Awards & Recognition
2026 – First Line Sports Agency UG listed by PENNY DEL among licensed player intermediaries.
2025 – David Levin’s continuation with CSM Corona Brașov covered by Romanian hockey media.
2026 – Michael McNiven listed on Blue Devils Weiden’s 2026-27 roster.
2025-26 – First Line clients visible across KHL, Liiga, DEL, DEL2, EIHL, France, Romania, Sweden and Norway.
Official agency site highlights partnerships with Sam Jones Hockey Performance and Cascade Hockey.
