from Andrew Gross of NewJersey.com,

Allain Roy, an agent since 2001 and, before that, a goalie drafted by the original Winnipeg Jets who won an NCAA title at Harvard and a silver medal for Team Canada in the 1994 Winter Olympics, has had a close-up view of the evolution of NHL prospects.

The young players, such as client Nico Hischier, selected first overall by the Devils in this year’s NHL Draft, have become intensely knowledgeable about aspects beyond just on-ice training. Video, mental and nutritional coaching are all part of the elite teen-agers’ regimens now....

“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Roy, CEO of the St. Louis-based Roy Sports Group. “There’s a lot of over-training. A lot of kids burn out early. If you have to force kids to go to practice, something’s wrong. They should want to go to practice. There’s also a fear of missing out that players have: ‘If I’m not on the ice, someone else is on.’”...

“Every year, we’re adding new staff to the menu because you have to,” Roy said. “Our jobs as agents has changed over the last eight years. In the past, it was get as much money as possible when you signed. Now, it’s developing players to have as long a career as possible. The turnover is so much quicker. Thirty-two is the new 37.”

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