Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re a veteran in the NHL looking for a change of pace, AHL player ready to make more money, or a Division I student-athlete, Higher Hockey Management is here to help you navigate your career journey in Europe. With offices in the United States, Canada, and Europe, we are ready to place you in the right contract abroad. Learn more by browsing our FAQs. 

What is the history of Higher Hockey Management?

Since 2012, Higher Hockey Management has represented professional hockey players in Europe, placing them in lucrative contracts within our network of contacts. The agency was founded by Jason Krog and Derek Bekar, former NHL and European pros who were teammates at University of New Hampshire. 

Which specific European leagues does Higher Hockey Management have contacts in?

Higher Hockey Management works in all of the top European leagues, including but not limited to:

  • Austria/Italy (Alps)
  • Czech Republic (Extraliga)
  • Denmark (Metal Ligaen)
  • Finland (Liiga)
  • France (Ligue Magnus, Division I)
  • Germany (DEL, DEL2, Oberliga)
  • Hungary/Romania (Erste Liga)
  • Norway (Fjordkraft-Ligaen)
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Russia (KHL, VHL)
  • Slovakia (ICEHL, Tipos Extraliga)
  • Sweden (SHL, Allsvenskan)
  • Switzerland (SL, NL)
  • United Kingdom (EIHL)

Who is Derek Bekar?

Derek Bekar is a former professional hockey player from Burnaby, BC, CAN, and co-founder and agent at Higher Hockey Management. After an impressive run in the junior leagues, he was drafted by St. Louis Blues in 1995, #205 overall in the eighth round. As a center and left wing, he enjoyed on-ice success throughout many stops of his career. After spending three seasons at University of New Hampshire (1995-1998), he spent time in the National Hockey League and American Hockey League with organizations such as:

  • St. Louis Blues
  • Worcester Ice Cats
  • Portland Pirates
  • Manchester Monarchs
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • New York Islanders
  • Bridgeport Sound Tigers
  • Springfield Falcons

In 2004, Derek spent his first season in Europe, signing for one season with the Dundee Stars of the former BNL (now EIHL). Over the next several seasons, he returned to Europe with the following clubs:

  • EHC Chur (NLB)
  • EHC Basel (NLA)
  • Hannover Scorpions (DEL)
  • HK Jesenice (EBEL)
  • Lausanne HC (NLB)
  • HYS The Hague (Netherlands)

In 2010, Derek retired as a player. In 2012, Derek and former teammate Jason Krog founded Higher Hockey Management, using their extensive networks in professional hockey and Europe to help the next generation of players land lucrative deals overseas. 

Who is Jason Krog?

A co-founder and agent at Higher Hockey Management, Jason Krog is a former professional hockey player and current academy hockey coach from Fernie, BC, CAN. After playing junior hockey for three seasons, he spent four seasons at University of New Hampshire (1995-1999), donning the “C” in his final season. As one of the best NCAA Division I players in the country, the free-agent center signed with New York Islanders immediately after graduation. Over the span of his nearly 20-year career, Jason experienced on-ice success in multiple NHL and AHL markets, including:

  • New York Islanders
  • Lowell Lock Monsters
  • Providence Bruins
  • Springfield Falcons
  • Bridgeport Sound Tigers
  • Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 
  • Cincinnati Mighty Ducks
  • Atlanta Thrashers 
  • Chicago Wolves
  • New York Rangers
  • Vancouver Canucks
  • Manitoba Moose
  • Chicago Wolves

Jason first played in Europe from 2004-2006 with Villacher SV (EBEL), Genève-Servette HC (NLA), and Frölunda HC (Elitserien). He returned to Europe again after ending his North American career as Captain for Chicago Wolves (2009-2011). In the final tour of his playing career, Jason played with the following teams overseas:

  • HV 71 (Elitserien)
  • Medvescak Zagreb (KHL)
  • Villacher SV (EBEL)
  • Dragons de Rouen (Ligue Magnus)
  • Lørenskog (Norway)

Jason retired as a player after the 2016-2017 season and immediately teamed up with Derek Bekar, once again, as the pair were teammates at University of New Hampshire. For nearly eight years and counting, Jason and Derek have worked tirelessly on expanding Higher Hockey Management’s reach in Europe and forming an irrefutably positive reputation for the agency. Jason currently coaches the Burnaby Winter Club 15U Prep team in CSSHL U15. 

Who is Nicole Sorce? 

Nicole Sorce is a professional hockey agent for Higher Hockey Management, as well as a credentialed photojournalist for her own blog. A native of Northern New Jersey, Nicole attended Ithaca College and graduated in 2012 with a B.S. in Sport Management. From internships to ticket sales and social media roles, Nicole worked for the following professional teams:

  • Sussex Skyhawks (Can-Am League Baseball)
  • Trenton Thunder (Eastern League Baseball)
  • Trenton Titans (ECHL)
  • Binghamton Senators (AHL)
  • Lakewood BlueClaws (Single-A Baseball)
  • Portland Pirates (AHL)
  • Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)

In 2016, Nicole began the media portion of her hockey career, earning her M.A. in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University. From there, she covered hundreds of AHL and ECHL games in dozens of cities across North America. For several seasons, Nicole was credentialed for the entirety of the Calder Cup Playoffs, and she also covered 2018 ECHL All Star in Indianapolis, IN, where Wayne Gretzky held a press conference. It was around this time that Nicole first joined Higher Hockey Management in a marketing and media capacity. 

In 2019, Nicole was approached by the former Ottawa Senators Foundation to write for them on a volunteer basis. In addition to having several articles published in major Ottawa media outlets and NHL.com, she was also invited to attend the annual Ottawa Senators Foundation Gala. She continued to write for the now Senators Community Foundation until 2021. 

Nicole has been with Higher Hockey Management since 2017. Aside from performing marketing and public relations duties, she helps recruit players to Higher Hockey Management for European representation. Nicole also assists as an agent, contacting European teams to vouch for clients and helping with negotiations.

How is Higher Hockey Management different from other European hockey agencies?

Experience, network, and skillset are everything when it comes to choosing the right European hockey agency. Higher Hockey Management brings a combined 40 years of European and North American hockey experience to the table, which is definitely something not every agency can say. Higher Hockey Management is extremely well-connected throughout Europe, and with each passing season, our already-strong reputation keeps getting more and more respect. Whereas other agents may try to coerce clients into sketchy contracts, we have actually lived the life of a client going overseas, so we know exactly what to negotiate for (and how). 

What are the qualifications to be represented by Higher Hockey Management in Europe? 

Higher Hockey Management recruits players with promising statistics and experience in the following leagues: 

  • National Hockey League (NHL)
  • American Hockey League (AHL)
  • East Coast Hockey League (ECHL)
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I
  • Top European Leagues

In addition to salary, are any other benefits typically included in a player’s European contract?

There are several additional items that are typically negotiated into a client’s contact, including:

  • Housing
  • Car
  • Flights
  • Extra baggage allowance
  • Equipment
  • Health insurance
  • Visa

Depending on the league and other circumstances, some players may even be eligible to earn a master’s degree while signed with their team. 

Can clients bring their wives and/or children to Europe?

Absolutely! If clients desire to bring their family with them, teams usually provide essentials to accommodate their needs, such as:

  • Larger apartments and cars
  • Extra flights and baggage allowances
  • Cribs
  • Car seats
  • Strollers

International or private schools can be negotiated in certain situations. With our extensive hockey and business network, Higher Hockey Management can also help significant others to find remote work while overseas. We’re also here to help clients and their families adjust to life after hockey. 

What are some myths about playing/coaching in Europe?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that once you go to Europe, you can never come back to play or coach in North America. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many of our players have gone over to Europe, performed well, and then returned to North America with better opportunities than they had before they left. 

Another myth is that players and coaches have trouble getting paid and can get fired at any time. In most countries, contracts are fully guaranteed, and the client must agree to a buyout if the team wants to make a change. In our history, we haven’t had any players that didn’t get all the compensation they were promised. Further, Higher Hockey Management refuses to work with unprofessional clubs that display this type of concerning behavior. 

Can I keep working with other agents as a Higher Hockey Management client?

At the time we begin working together, Higher Hockey Management requires all clients to cease working with other European agents or agencies. In other words, to be a Higher Hockey Management client, we must be your sole European representation. However, players and coaches are more than welcome to keep their North American agents, as we do not conduct business in those leagues. 

What is the process for getting started with Higher Hockey Management?

If you’re interested in European representation for yourself or a client of yours, the process begins by contacting Higher Hockey Management at info@higherhockey.com. Please include an Elite Prospects profile link and any other supporting information (i.e. video highlights). 

Upon receiving this information, Higher Hockey Management will evaluate the player or coach and analyze their statistics and career performance. If we believe we can help the player or coach get placed into a lucrative European contract, we will then speak directly with the individual to learn about their goals and preferences. 

From there, Higher Hockey Management will shop the player or coach around to our team contacts. Depending on the league and level of play, signings can happen very quickly in the first part of the offseason, or it may take until late summer to finalize a deal. Higher Hockey Management’s agents will keep players posted at every step of the way, and we won’t pressure a client to take a deal that is not up to their standards or ours. 

Learn More by Contacting Higher Hockey Management

To find out if you qualify for European representation through Higher Hockey Management, or if you’re a coach or general manager looking for high-caliber North American imports, contact us today.