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I'd say track down some of the families that have gone through it in the past 3-4 years and sit with them over a beer or coffee. Find them through your club team or locals you know are playing D-I.
These dinosaurs who pop their heads up who went through it 25 years ago know nothing. . . in fact, less than zero as their info is wrong and they just mumble "If your kid is good enough, they will find him..." "Like me when I was playing for Charlestown Youth Hockey in 82. . . " Gramps the world changed. And good luck. :kissing_heart:
You need to provide some additional details on what types of schools are reaching out and and where your kid is really at. If he's 17 and doens't have an NHL agent/advisor one year from being draft eligible then I'm wondering if you are talking D1 schools or D3?
If D3 schools are reaching out then I'm sure any parent can manage that process without an advisor.
If it's D1 then I'm wondering why you have not been approached by NHL agents. They cast their nets pretty wide. If it's D1 then which USHL team has drafted him?
Things are not adding up.
If he has D1 interest and I'm presuming he is a junior so you can freely communicate with colleges so that's good. You don't need an agent for that. Now if he is a repeat that might be the reason there isn't as much going on agent wise because he's draft eligible next year and probably not on any radar or scouting lists.
Anyway, there was an artical in NEHJ some time back on the most influential people in NE hockey. In that artical are a few agents mentioned. Matt Keater, Kent Hughes and Peter Fish. I would reach out to them. I'm sure if you are resourceful you can get their contact information. Ask them to take a look at your kid and ask for feedback. If they like what they see they will gladly be your kids "advisor". If he really doesn't project to them as an NHL player then at least you know. But I'd say at this point that if you have Hockey East schools reaching out then they would be interested. It costs them nothing and if your kids a late bloomer then they win down the road.
In terms of USHL I would wait till next year. Going out there this late is not a good scenario. If he makes a team he is probably a 4th liner. If he's cut then it's very disruptive to the school year. Just not a lot of upside to trying to make the jump at this time. If he's a D1 kid he'll be drafted in the spring and then you have time to investigate options.
I'd reach out to Darren Orr as well.