Today we have the honor of interviewing Allain Roy, NHL agent and President of NRX RSG Hockey.
A member of the 1994 silver medal Canadian Olympic team and NRX RSG Hockey’s president, Allain Roy serves as the personal representative of clients, responsible for enhancing their professional careers as well as their life after professional sports. NRX RSG Hockey currently manages 75 NHL players’ contracts and has managed 86 draft picks since 2015.
A graduate of Harvard University, Allain was the goalie of Harvard’s NCAA National Championship team (1988-89), a member of the 1988-89 NCAA All-Tournament Team, an All-American finalist (1991-92) and a member of the 1993 World Championship Team. A 1989 fourth round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets, Allain had a brief NHL callup in 1993 before joining the Canadian Olympic team. He played for Jokerit, the Finnish Elite Champions, the Saginaw Wheels and the Kapfenberg Tigers (Austrian League). He had a career .904 save percentage.
📝Show Notes: Through this interview, we touched on his background as an NHL agent and how the world of NHL agents has changed since he started. We also discussed the importance of technologies (AI, advanced sensors, analytics..) in the hockey world especially from a scouting perspective. We also touched on on how he sees the world of NHL scouting evolving, and how much impact technologies will have there. Allain also talked about the most innovative technologies that he has come across. Lastly he gave us his thoughts on the types of technologies he would build if he had unlimited resources.
You can read the full transcript of the podcast interview with Allain located at the top of this blog post.
Here are some of the best quotes of our conversation with Allain:
On his background and how you became an NHL agent.
“I started my career with a passion for hockey, playing at various levels, and eventually transitioned into becoming an NHL agent. It was about leveraging my experience on the ice and turning that into a way to help athletes navigate their professional careers.”
On how the world of NHL agents has changed since he started his career in this field:
“The industry has definitely evolved. It's more competitive, with a stronger emphasis on data and analytics. Today, being an agent isn't just about negotiating contracts; it's about providing players with the best tools, technologies, and strategies to extend their careers and maximize their potential.”
On the evolution of technology in sports:
"Any advantage you can find to extend your career is only going to be good for everybody."
On the financial stakes in the NHL:
"In the NHL, the guy signs an eight-year deal. If an NHL player gets hurt in year one, you can insure that contract, but you're still paying them."
On the responsibility of NHL teams to protect their NHL players:
"It's in the best interest of the owner and the team to make sure that the player is healthy."
On the importance of sports technologies in the pro hockey world:
"The importance of technology in the hockey world, especially from a scouting perspective, cannot be understated."
On the importance of technologies (AI, advanced sensors, analytics) in the hockey world, especially from a scouting perspective":
“The importance of technology in the hockey world, especially from a scouting perspective, cannot be understated. Any advantage you can find to extend your career is only going to be good for everybody. It's becoming essential to analyze performance, reduce injury risks, and make informed decisions.”
On how he sees the world of NHL scouting evolving ten years from now, and how much impact will technologies have there:
“I see scouting becoming even more data-driven, with technologies like AI and advanced analytics playing a significant role. The ability to predict player performance and potential will evolve, giving teams a competitive edge in drafting and developing talent.”
On the most innovative technologies that he has come across:
“I've seen some amazing advancements in wearable tech and performance analytics. These innovations help not just in training but also in preventing injuries. For players, staying healthy is crucial, especially when you have long-term contracts involved.”
On what type of technology would you build if he had unlimited resources:
“If I had unlimited resources, I’d focus on building technology that further minimizes injury risks and extends athletes' careers. Maybe something that combines real-time analytics, predictive modeling, and AI to create a holistic view of a player’s health, performance, and potential risks.”
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