The PuckPedia Hockey Show Episode 14: Climbing the NHL Executive Ranks ft. Aaron Schwartz

We start the episode talking about Aaron's journey in hockey, at the club level at DePaul during college, then with a bunch of different teams in the CHL and IHL, eventually overseas in the Czech Republic and Poland, before returning back to North America (2:15). He talked about how he self-represented himself and how he helped a bunch of other players, which helped him build relationships with NHL and AHL executives.

Then he talks about going the legal route and doing law school (8:30), getting an internship with the Washington Capitals and starting the day they won the Stanley Cup, showing up to the office the next day as the rest of the team was still partying in Las Vegas (10:30).

Then he talked about helping out with the Montreal Canadiens in a legal consulting type of role before latching on full-time with the Carolina Hurricanes as the Director of Hockey Operations (18:30). We talk about the various hats he wore in Carolina, specifically helping build their AHL team the Chicago Wolves, which eventually won the 2022 Calder Cup (22:00).

Then we talk about his role in the Martin Necas arbitration deal (26:45), how they were comfortable giving him a 2-year deal and “walking him to free agency.” We also touch on his new deal with the Colorado Avalanche and the trade that ultimately led to Mikko Rantanen joining the Hurricanes before being dealt again to the Dallas Stars, and Logan Stankoven ending up in Carolina (29:30).

We wrap the episode up with Aaron giving some great advice (33:30) for someone trying to get into the hockey industry (hint: pick up the phone and make a call).

Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!

X: @PuckPedia

IG: @PuckPedia

Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet Responsibly

Theme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.