Octagon Hockey
Global NHL Powerhouse

Canada

$1.43B

Key Facts

Also known as: Octagon Athlete Representation; Octagon; Octagon Hockey; Octagon Talent + Properties
Founded: Octagon was founded in 1983 as Advantage International; its hockey practice traces its modern roots to the late 1990s and Octagon says its hockey history spans more than 30 years
Headquarters: Octagon’s global agency base is U.S.-led, with hockey leadership in Detroit, Los Angeles and offices/agents across Minneapolis, Ottawa, Calgary, Waterloo, Prague, Jyväskylä and other markets
Other offices: Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Ottawa, Calgary, Waterloo, Montreal, Prague, Jyväskylä, Regensburg, Duxbury and broader Octagon global offices
Agency type: Large global multi-sport agency / hockey mega-agency
Ownership: Octagon was formerly part of Interpublic Group; Omnicom completed its acquisition of Interpublic on November 26, 2025, bringing Octagon under the Omnicom group
Primary markets: NHL, AHL, PWHL, NCAA, CHL, SHL, Liiga, Czech/Slovak market, Scandinavia, Germany, broader Europe
Players ($1.43B active NHL contract value): 180+ total clients; NHL clients: 95+; NHL-drafted clients: 109; reported $1.434B total value and $279.25M active cap hit

Key agents: Mike Liut, Allan Walsh, Ben Hankinson, Chris McAlpine, John Vollan, Rick Valette, Robert Hooper, Andy Scott; NHLPA Certified Agents: Ben Hankinson, Chris McAlpine, John Vollan, Rick Valette, Robert Hooper, Andy Scott, plus senior leaders Mike Liut and Allan Walsh as hockey co-managing directors
Languages: English, French, German, Finnish, Czech, Slovak, Swedish/Scandinavian coverage through client managers and partner network
Contact email: talent@octagon.com; hockey@octagon.com, press/media: Alex Rozis through Octagon media contact
Website: https://www.octagon.com/talent/hockey/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octagonhockey/
X: https://x.com/octagonhockey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Octagon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/octagon

About Octagon Hockey

Octagon Hockey is one of the largest and most valuable hockey representation groups in the NHL, ranking fourth on PuckPedia’s active NHL agency leaderboard with 98 active NHL contracts and more than $1.43B in active contract value. The hockey division is led by former NHL goaltender Mike Liut and high-profile agent/lawyer Allan Walsh, with certified agents and client managers spread across North America and Europe. Liut’s agency roots go back to the 1990s, when he joined forces with Brian Lawton before their group became part of Advantage International/Octagon’s hockey division.

Walsh merged his original Can-AM representation business into Octagon in the mid-2000s and is now Octagon Hockey’s co-managing director. Octagon’s current NHL portfolio is headlined by Leon Draisaitl, Mikko Rantanen, Jake Guentzel, Patrik Laine, Kaapo Kakko, Jason Robertson, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Brock Boeser, Mark Scheifele and Brayden Schenn.

The agency is especially strong in premium UFA extensions and star-forward contracts, including Draisaitl’s $112M Edmonton extension and Rantanen’s $96M Dallas deal, both signed by Andy Scott. It also has a large North American development and draft lane, with Octagon saying its hockey history includes 75 first-round picks, 50+ NHL All-Stars, 17 major NHL trophy winners and 47 Olympians. Cross-border coverage is a major feature: Octagon’s hockey page lists client managers in Germany, Finland, Czechia, Slovakia, Montreal, Ottawa and Waterloo, and its 2021 Progressive partnership strengthened Scandinavian recruitment and placement. The firm’s differentiator is scale: contract negotiation, development, marketing, PR, wealth management, estate planning and taxes are promoted as in-house capabilities. Octagon also represents women’s hockey clients, with Grace Zumwinkle listed on its hockey page as a PWHL Minnesota forward.

Client Roster

Contract figures below use public PuckPedia records where available.

Top players / NHL players

• Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) – F – Germany – 1995-10-27 – 8 years, $112.00M, $14.00M AAV through 2032-33; full NMC

• Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars) – F – Finland – 1996-10-29 – 8 years, $96.00M, $12.00M AAV through 2032-33

• Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning) – F – USA – 1994-10-06 – 7 years, $63.00M, $9.00M AAV through 2030-31

• Patrik Laine (Montréal Canadiens) – F – Finland – 1998-04-19 – 4 years, $34.80M, $8.70M AAV through 2025-26; 10-team no-trade list

• Kaapo Kakko (Seattle Kraken) – F – Finland – 2001-02-13 – 3 years, $13.575M, $4.525M AAV through 2027-28

• J.J. Peterka (Utah Mammoth) – F – Germany – 2002-01-14 – 5 years, $38.50M, $7.70M AAV through 2029-30

• Jonathan Drouin (St. Louis Blues) – F – Canada – 1995-03-28 – active NHL contract; PuckPedia lists current Blues contract data under Allan Walsh/Octagon

• Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars) – F – USA – 1999-07-22 – 4 years, $31.00M, $7.75M AAV through 2025-26

• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton Oilers) – F – Canada – 1993-04-12 – 8 years, $41.00M, $5.125M AAV through 2028-29; NMC

• Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks) – F – USA – 1997-02-25 – 7 years, $50.75M, $7.25M AAV through 2031-32; NMC/M-NTC structure

• Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets) – F – Canada – 1993-03-15 – 7 years, $59.50M, $8.50M AAV through 2030-31; NMC/M-NTC structure

• Brayden Schenn (New York Islanders) – F – Canada – 1991-08-22 – 8 years, $52.00M, $6.50M AAV through 2027-28

• Wyatt Johnston (Dallas Stars) – F – Canada – 2003-05-14 – ELC/RFA-stage young NHL core player; featured by Octagon Hockey

Prospects & young talents

• Aron Kiviharju (HIFK, Liiga) – D – Finland – 2006-01-25 – top Finnish defensive prospect; active 2025-26 listing

• Bobby Brink (Minnesota Wild) – F – USA – 2001-07-08 – NHL forward; active 2025-26 listing

• Wyatt Johnston (Dallas Stars, NHL) – F – Canada – 2003-05-14 – core young NHL forward

• J.J. Peterka (Utah Mammoth, NHL) – F – Germany – 2002-01-14 – young top-six NHL forward under long-term deal

• Kaapo Kakko (Seattle Kraken, NHL) – F – Finland – 2001-02-13 – former No. 2 pick, signed through 2027-28

Goalies

• Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues) – G – Canada – 1993-07-11 – 6 years, $36.00M, $6.00M AAV through 2026-27

• Marc-André Fleury – G – Canada – 1984-11-28 – iconic Octagon client listed by Octagon Hockey; active playing status should be verified separately for 2025-26 publication

• Jaxson Stauber (Utah Mammoth) – G – USA – 1999-04-27 – 2 years, $1.55M, $775,000 AAV through 2026-27

Women’s hockey clients

• Grace Zumwinkle (PWHL Minnesota) – F – USA – 1999-04-23 – listed by Octagon Hockey as a PWHL Minnesota client

Notable former clients

• Marc-André Fleury – long-time headline Octagon client and 2021 Vezina Trophy winner; Octagon still features him among hockey clients

• Patrik Eliáš – former Allan Walsh client referenced in Eurohockey Services’ Walsh profile

• Martin Havlát – former Allan Walsh client referenced in Eurohockey Services’ Walsh profile

Highlights

• Negotiation style: star-player leverage, long-term security, high-AAV extensions and aggressive public advocacy.

• NHLPA/CBA expertise: deep RFA/UFA, bonus, NMC/NTC and arbitration infrastructure across multiple certified agents.

• Network strengths: North America, Germany, Finland, Czech/Slovak market, Scandinavia and PWHL.

• Development pipeline: draft-day through NHL-career management, strength/nutrition support and financial planning.

• Cross-border execution: North America-Europe recruitment and placement through client managers and Euro/Scandinavian partnerships.

• Brand/commercial capability: Octagon’s global talent platform covers endorsements, PR, content, philanthropy and post-career transition.

Agency Snapshot

Origin story

• Mike Liut entered the agent business in the 1990s after an NHL playing career and legal/NHLPA-side experience.

• Liut and Brian Lawton’s agency became part of Octagon’s hockey division in the Advantage/Octagon transition era.

• Allan Walsh built Can-AM Sport Management before merging into Octagon Hockey and later becoming co-managing director.

Milestones

• 1983 – Octagon predecessor Advantage International founded.

• 1998 – Liut/Lawton hockey operation became part of the Octagon/Advantage hockey division era.

• 2001 – Octagon acquired Kelly Management Group, strengthening its hockey division.

• 2004/2005 – Allan Walsh merged his agency business into Octagon Hockey.

• 2021 – Octagon and Progressive Sports & Entertainment announced an exclusive hockey partnership focused on Scandinavia and North America.

• 2024 – Leon Draisaitl signed an 8-year, $112.00M Edmonton extension, the largest active Octagon contract on PuckPedia.

• 2025 – Mikko Rantanen signed an 8-year, $96.00M Dallas contract.

• 2025 – Omnicom completed its acquisition of Interpublic, moving Octagon into Omnicom’s agency portfolio.

Network strengths

• North America: NHL/AHL, NCAA, CHL, PWHL and major-market sponsorship infrastructure.

• Europe: Germany via ISMA Agentur, Finland, Czechia, Slovakia, Sweden/Scandinavia and broader transfer support.

• Specialty lanes: elite forwards, high-value UFAs, German NHL stars, Finnish talent, goalies, PWHL and player-safety advocacy.

Support Team / Partners

• Contract/cap specialist: Mike Liut, Allan Walsh, Ben Hankinson, Andy Scott, Rick Valette, Robert Hooper, Chris McAlpine, John Vollan.

• Immigration/visa counsel: not individually named; handled within Octagon’s global representation platform.

• Litigation/agent-law counsel: Allan Walsh is a lawyer and former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney; external counsel not listed.

• Marketing/brand partnerships: Octagon talent services include brand building, marketing, endorsements, PR, philanthropy and content development.

• PR/media training: Alyssa Romano is listed by Octagon Hockey as Vice President, Communications.

• Skills coaches / skating coaches / goalie coaches: Kevin Ziegler is listed as strength and nutrition support.

• Analytics/scouting support: client managers across Europe and North America; specific analytics vendors not publicly named.

• Financial advisors/tax partners: Octagon lists wealth management, estate planning and taxes as in-house service areas.

• Affiliate/partner agencies: Eurohockey Services, Hockey Spectrum Agency, ISMA, JT Sports Management and Progressive S & E are listed in the current public agency listing; Progressive partnership is publicly announced by Octagon.

Notable Deals Led by Octagon Hockey

• 2025 – Leon Draisaitl: Edmonton Oilers – UFA extension – 8 years – $112.00M – $14.00M AAV – full NMC.

• 2025 – Mikko Rantanen: Dallas Stars – UFA extension/signing – 8 years – $96.00M – $12.00M AAV.

• 2025 – Brock Boeser: Vancouver Canucks – UFA re-signing – 7 years – $50.75M – $7.25M AAV – NMC/M-NTC structure.

• 2025 – J.J. Peterka: Utah Mammoth – RFA extension after trade – 5 years – $38.50M – $7.70M AAV.

• 2025 – Kaapo Kakko: Seattle Kraken – RFA settlement/extension – 3 years – $13.575M – $4.525M AAV.

• 2025 – Jaxson Stauber: Utah Mammoth – goalie signing – 2 years – $1.55M – $775,000 AAV.

• 2024 – Jake Guentzel: Tampa Bay Lightning – UFA signing – 7 years – $63.00M – $9.00M AAV.

• 2023 – Mark Scheifele: Winnipeg Jets – UFA extension – 7 years – $59.50M – $8.50M AAV – NMC/M-NTC structure.

• 2022 – Patrik Laine: Columbus Blue Jackets / Montréal Canadiens contract – RFA extension – 4 years – $34.80M – $8.70M AAV – M-NTC years 2-4.

• 2021 – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: Edmonton Oilers – UFA extension – 8 years – $41.00M – $5.125M AAV – NMC.

Track Record (Last 3 Seasons)

• NHL contracts signed: At least 8 major verified public contracts in the 2023-24 through 2025-26 sample.

• Total value signed (USD): At least $434.88M in verified public sample contracts: Draisaitl, Rantanen, Boeser, Peterka, Kakko, Stauber, Guentzel and Scheifele.

• Total AAV represented (USD): At least $63.75M in verified public sample AAV.

• Extensions/renewals: Draisaitl, Rantanen, Boeser, Peterka, Kakko, Guentzel, Scheifele.

• ELCs signed: Current active/future ELC work exists across Octagon’s 98-contract portfolio; exact last-three-season ELC total not fully public in one source.

• RFA outcomes: Peterka and Kakko are recent RFA outcomes; Peterka long-term, Kakko medium-term.

• Arbitration cases: Kakko’s 2025 deal avoided/settled the RFA-arbitration path before a hearing.

• Europe transfers: Octagon’s Progressive partnership targets NHL/AHL/SHL/HockeyAllsvenskan/HockeyEttan/Norway/Denmark movement; exact annual count not public.

• Aggregate client market value: PuckPedia lists 98 active NHL contracts, $1.434B total value and $279.25M total cap hit for Octagon Athlete Representation.

Compliance & Accreditation

• NHLPA certification status: Octagon lists Ben Hankinson, Chris McAlpine, John Vollan, Rick Valette, Robert Hooper and Andy Scott as NHLPA Certified Agents on its hockey page.

• National federation registrations: Not publicly verified at company level; representation depends on individual agents and jurisdictions.

• Professional liability insurance: Not publicly stated.

• Ethics/compliance notes: No public disciplinary findings found in reviewed sources.

Testimonials

• Octagon service claim: “we do it all.”

• Mike Liut on Progressive’s Scandinavian reach: “unmatched footprint and relationships.”

• Joel Larsson on Octagon: “first-class reputation.”

• Leon Draisaitl after his Edmonton extension: “I take great pride in being an Oiler.”

Press, Awards & Recognition

• 2015 – Forbes ranked Allan Walsh among the top 50 most powerful sports agents in the world, according to Eurohockey Services’ Walsh profile.

• 2021 – Octagon and Progressive Sports & Entertainment announced an exclusive hockey partnership – Octagon.

• 2026 – The Hockey News listed Allan Walsh at No. 67 on its People of Power & Influence in Hockey list.

• Current – PuckPedia ranks Octagon Athlete Representation fourth by active NHL contract value.