Ben Hankinson
U.S. Player Builder

US

$499M

Key Facts

Agency / company: Octagon Athlete Representation / Octagon Hockey
Role / title: NHLPA Certified Agent
Agency website: https://www.octagon.com/
Hockey division: https://www.octagon.com/talent/hockey/
X: https://x.com/BenHankinson
Primary markets: NHL, U.S. player representation, NCAA pipeline, veteran contracts, RFAs/UFAs, defensemen, goalies

About Ben Hankinson

Ben Hankinson is an NHLPA Certified Agent with Octagon Hockey, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Octagon lists him as part of its hockey representation team, alongside Mike Liut, Allan Walsh, Chris McAlpine, John Vollan, Rick Valette, Robert Hooper, and Andy Scott.

Before becoming an agent, Hankinson played for the University of Minnesota and in the NHL. He has also been described as Octagon Hockey’s USA Director of Player Representation and one of the founders of Da Beauty League.

Hankinson is listed with 29 active NHL contracts, about $499M in active contract value, and about $97M in active cap hit. His current book is led by Tim Stützle, Jake Oettinger, Jake Guentzel, Brock Boeser, Brayden Schenn, Ryan McDonagh, Darcy Kuemper, Brock Nelson, Ryan Lindgren, and Noah Cates.

Key Facts

• NHLPA certification: NHLPA Certified Agent

• Active NHL contracts represented: 29

• Total active contract value: $499M

• Total active cap hit / AAV represented: $97M

• Average active cap hit: $3,34M

• Future contract extensions listed: 1, worth $12.3M total

• Largest active contract: Tim Stützle – $66.8M total, $8.35M AAV

• Highest active AAV: Jake Guentzel – $9M AAV

• Most notable clients: Jake Guentzel, Tim Stützle, Jake Oettinger, Brock Boeser, Brayden Schenn, Ryan McDonagh

• Primary client type: U.S. and Canadian NHL veterans, NCAA-linked players, two-way forwards, defensemen, goalies

Client Roster

1. Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning) – LW – USA – $9M AAV – $63M total – expires 2030-31

2. Tim Stützle (Ottawa Senators) – C/LW – Germany – $8.35M AAV – $66.8M total – expires 2030-31

3. Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) – G – USA – $8.25M AAV – $66M total – expires 2032-33

4. Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche) – C – USA – $7.5M AAV – $22.5M total – expires 2027-28

5. Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks) – RW – USA – $7.25M AAV – $50.75M total – expires 2031-32

6. Ryan McDonagh (Tampa Bay Lightning) – D – USA – $6.75M AAV – $47.25M total – expires 2025-26

7. Brayden Schenn (New York Islanders) – C/LW – Canada – $6.5M AAV – $52M total – expires 2027-28

8. Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings) – G – Canada – $5.25M AAV – $26.25M total – expires 2026-27

9. Ryan Lindgren (Seattle Kraken) – D – USA – $4.5M AAV – $18M total – expires 2028-29

10. Nick Jensen (Ottawa Senators) – D – USA – $4.05M AAV – $12.15M total – expires 2025-26

11. Noah Cates (Philadelphia Flyers) – C/LW – USA – $4M AAV – $16M total – expires 2028-29

12. Thomas Novak (Pittsburgh Penguins) – C – USA – $3.5M AAV – $10.5M total – expires 2026-27

13. Charlie Lindgren (Washington Capitals) – G – USA – $3M AAV – $9M total – expires 2027-28

14. Luke Schenn (Buffalo Sabres) – D – Canada – $2.75M AAV – $8.25M total – expires 2025-26

15. Derek Forbort (Vancouver Canucks) – D – USA – $2M AAV – $2M total – expires 2025-26

Future extension listed by PuckPedia:
Ryan McDonagh (Tampa Bay Lightning) – $4.1M AAV – $12.3M total – expires 2028-29.

Notable Deals

• 2024 – Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning: 7 years, $63M, $9M AAV.

• 2022/2023 – Tim Stützle, Ottawa Senators: 8 years, $66.8M, $8.35M AAV.

• 2025 – Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars: 8 years, $66M, $8.25M AAV.

• 2025 – Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks: 7 years, $50.75M, $7.25M AAV.

• 2020 – Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues / current New York Islanders listing: 8 years, $52M, $6.5M AAV.

• 2026 – Ryan McDonagh, Tampa Bay Lightning: future extension listed at 3 years, $12.3M, $4.1M AAV.

Milestones

• Playing career: Former University of Minnesota and NHL player.

• 2006: Joined Octagon Hockey after Octagon acquired SPS Hockey, where Hankinson was a partner and agent.

• 2015: Helped found Da Beauty League, a Minnesota summer hockey showcase for Division I, AHL, and NHL players.

• 2026: PuckPedia lists Hankinson among the top 10 NHL agents by active contract value.

Partner Network

• Mike Liut: Co-Managing Director, Hockey.

• Allan Walsh: Co-Managing Director, Hockey.

• Certified agents: Ben Hankinson, Chris McAlpine, John Vollan, Rick Valette, Robert Hooper, Andy Scott.

• Client managers: Martin Ancicka, Kevin Conway, Eric Lecompte, Blake Goulet, Rob Grant, Petteri Lehto, Michal Sivek, Drew Solomon, Jani Tuppurainen, Vladimir Vujtek, Brendhan West.

• Support: Contract negotiation, development, marketing, PR, wealth management, estate planning, tax support, strength/nutrition, and communications.

Testimonials / Media Characterization

• Octagon describes its hockey platform as a 30-plus-year practice with 75 first-round picks, 50+ NHL All-Stars, 17 major NHL trophy winners, and 47 Olympians.

• Sports Business Journal reported that Hankinson was strong in the U.S. market when he joined Octagon from SPS Hockey.

• PuckPedia’s public agent leaderboard places Hankinson among the highest-value NHL agents by active contract value.

Press, Awards & Recognition

• 2006 – Sports Business Journal: Covered Hankinson joining Octagon after its SPS Hockey acquisition.

• 2019 – Hockey Wilderness: Featured Hankinson as a former Gopher/NHL player, NHLPA agent, Octagon USA Director of Player Representation, and Da Beauty League co-founder.