About Us – Paragon

“I love seeing our players succeed on the ice, but the most rewarding part of what we do is getting to see young men become better people and helping them pursue their dreams while protecting their long-term interests.”

– Colby Drost, Paragon Founder

COLBY DROST

PRESIDENT FOUNDER

Founded by Colby Drost in early 2019, Paragon Sports Consulting has quickly become an industry leader. PSC has placed players in the NCAA, USHL, NAHL, BCHL, AJHL, elite prep schools, and midget hockey programs. Colby has helped players earn over $15 million in scholarships in three years. On average, PSC clients who commit to DI programs earn over $180,000 in scholarships. In a short time, Colby has helped 100 players secure NCAA Division I commitments across all conferences in college hockey.

Colby has created a brand and reputation across the hockey industry built on professionalism, respect, and the ability to put a player’s development at the forefront. Colby’s approach has allowed players to make crucial career decisions that have seen players advance to all conferences across college hockey, including Big10, HockeyEast, NCHC, CCHA, Atlantic Hockey Conference, ECAC, and Independent programs. Colby’s holistic approach to development has seen players have the success that has translated to the collegiate levels from all junior leagues, including USHL, BCHL, AJHL, and the NAHL, among others.

Colby has experience with NCAA issues and has assisted with compliance issues across different areas. Colby’s work has helped advocate, implement, and argue topics including but not limited to academic eligibility, academic compliance, NLI release, and European compliance. Colby’s experience also includes work in the NCAA transfer portal across all conferences in college hockey.

Colby has more than 24 years of experience in hockey. He was a goaltender for 17 years before entering the hockey business at 18. Over the last ten years, Colby has held various roles in coaching, scouting, and hockey operations in midget, prep, junior, and college hockey. He has built an extensive network of contacts at every level throughout North America.

From 2015-2019, Colby was the Director of Scouting for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. He worked closely with the team’s General Manager and helped the Fighting Saints to a record of 144-99-20-10. The Fighting Saints produced 19 NHL draft picks and over 80 NCAA DI commitments during his tenure. Colby was instrumental in building the 2019-2020 team that finished 33-13-2-0 and identified Dubuque’s star Riese Gaber, the USHL’s 2019-2020 Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.

2013-2017, Colby worked with the Skipjacks Hockey Program’s midget and junior teams. Colby recruited 21 players who committed to NCAA DI programs. In addition, in 2015-2016, Colby was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Skidmore College. In one season, he recruited 13 student-athletes who helped the program reach national ranking in 2016-17 for only the second time in school history.

Colby graduated cum laude with a B.A. in History from the University of New England and received his Master of Legal Studies from Northeastern University. Colby has also studied Intellectual Property at the Harvard Summer School and received his certificate of completion for Negotiation Mastery from Harvard Business School.

THE PARAGON DIFFERENCE

PERSONALIZED CONSULTING

We spend time getting to know our players and continually seek feedback from them, scouts, and their coaches to ensure we understand their needs and goals. We do not follow a set system of player development — rather, we’re committed to changing the game by tailoring every step of our advising process to the benefit of each of our players, providing honest assessments of talent and program alignment to secure our clients’ success.

RECRUITING

Paragon Sports Consulting scouts players around the world. We only recruit players with elite ability, passion, and the potential to play at the collegiate level. Paragon Sports Consulting is highly selective in the recruiting process, ensuring that our clients receive unparalleled attention and mentorship.

DECISIONS BASED ON DEVELOPMENT

It is a core tenet of Paragon to help our players make informed decisions on their careers. The real value of a family advisor is someone that can help guide, plan, and provide a professional and honest opinion. We want to make sure that we are helping our clients make the best decisions possible at every stage of their careers.

ACADEMICS

Academic success plays a key role in our clients advancing to the top collegiate hockey programs. At Paragon, we evaluate transcripts and SAT/ACT scores to help families set goals and understand how each player’s academic performance will impact their options, ensuring that they can compete at the collegiate level, both on and off the ice.

THE RIGHT FIT

We spend time getting to know our players and continually seek feedback from them, scouts, and their coaches to ensure we understand their needs and goals. We do not follow a set system of player development — rather, we’re committed to changing the game by tailoring every step of our advising process to the benefit of each of our players, providing honest assessments of talent and program alignment to secure our clients’ success.

EXPERIENCED, HARDWORKING TEAM

Paragon founder Colby Drost knows what it takes to get to the highest level, with deep experience playing, scouting, and advising at elite collegiate hockey programs. Colby and his team of expert, trusted advisors are dedicated, goal-oriented, and driven by excellence. When it comes to securing our players’ future successes, no one works harder than Paragon.

TRACK RECORD

We spend time getting to know our players and continually seek feedback from them, scouts, and their coaches to ensure we understand their needs and goals. We do not follow a set system of player development — rather, we’re committed to changing the game by tailoring every step of our advising process to the benefit of each of our players, providing honest assessments of talent and program alignment to secure our clients’ success.

NO ONE WORKS HARDER
THAN PARAGON.

Our singular mission? To help our players succeed both on and off the ice.

As a player-focused family advising company, our winning company culture is built on a foundation of passion, commitment, and a drive for excellence. We are a collaborative and player-focused team, dedicated to helping our players achieve their goals both on and off the ice.

We believe in a team-oriented approach that puts the player at the center of our advising strategy. Success is a team effort, which is why we prioritize collaboration and accessibility in everything we do. No matter what stage of the game our players are at, they can count on the Paragon team to be there for them at every step of the way.

OUR TEAM

Paragon has an experienced team of passionate professionals with deep expertise. The team was assembled to deliver the standard of excellence Paragon represents, the same standard to which our clients aspire. At Paragon, we feel it is imperative our employees share the passion, drive, determination, and professionalism that we look for in, and demand of, clients.