Services – Paragon

THE PARAGON APPROACH

Our team has deep collegiate hockey expertise, and we use that knowledge to help our clients find the right opportunities for their specific needs and goals. We take great care to provide families with the information they need to make decisions throughout the recruiting and commitment process. Our transparency is the key to building trust, and we’re proud to offer personalized guidance and support every step of the way.

1. AMATEURISM

We help our clients understand how to maintain their amateur status, while exploring the NCAA and Major Juniors.

2. NCAA

We help our clients navigate the NCAA Clearinghouse process, so they are eligible to compete in the NCAA. Also, we make sure our players are well informed about the college recruiting processes for Division I.

3. DEVELOPMENT

Paragon Sports Consulting is committed to providing our players with individualized resources and information to best aid their success on and off the ice.

4. DRAFT AND TENDER

We ensure our players have a complete understanding of the junior hockey procurement processes throughout the United States and Canada.

5. GUIDANCE

Paragon Sports Consulting educates clients about the various development paths available and provides the information necessary for them to make the best career decisions possible.

6. COMMUNICATION

Paragon Sports Consulting prides itself on being fully accessible to our clients and their families 24/7. We understand that timely advice is of the utmost importance and are prepared to provide it whenever necessary.

1. AMATEURISM

We help our clients understand how to maintain their amateur status, while exploring the NCAA and Major Juniors.

2. NCAA

Paragon Sports Consulting is committed to providing our players with individualized resources and information to best aid their success on and off the ice.

3. DEVELOPMENT

We help our clients navigate the NCAA Clearinghouse process, so they are eligible to compete in the NCAA. Also, we make sure our players are well informed about the college recruiting processes for Division I.

4. DRAFT & TENDER

We ensure our players have a complete understanding of the junior hockey procurement processes throughout the United States and Canada.

5. GUIDANCE

Paragon Sports Consulting educates clients about the various development paths available and provides the information necessary for them to make the best career decisions possible.

6. COMMUNICATION

Paragon Sports Consulting prides itself on being fully accessible to our clients and their families 24/7. We understand that timely advice is of the utmost importance and are prepared to provide it whenever necessary.

OUR WINNING RECORD

Thanks to our unrelenting, goal-oriented focus at Paragon, we’re proud to have helped shape the careers of some of the most talented and successful collegiate players. Our expert guidance and support have led to unprecedented success in player advancement across the industry.

$00M

IN SCHOLARSHIPS

00

NCAA DIVISION 1 PLAYERS

00

USHL PLAYERS

$000K

AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP

STELLAR RETURNS
ON INVESTMENT

The average cost of youth hockey investment can be well into $200,000 for some families. When making such a daunting investment of time and money, it is wise to work with an expert who can help you manage that investment. Our goal is to ensure you have the information and resources necessary to make the best decisions possible.

Youth Hockey Investment

Ages 14-18

$75,000-200,000

Family Advisor

Guidance, Development, Placement

Paragon Clients’ Average
NCAA Savings

$180,000

WHAT WE DO

There is no set path a player must follow to accomplish his goals. Every player develops differently and different levels are appropriate at different times. Here are some examples of the types of things we use our expertise to help players navigate, at each level:

U15

Educate about options for the following season: prep school, hockey academies, U16
Discuss programs, academic options, living arrangements, coaching staffs
Determine best option and help secure spot for the following season
Assist with admissions and financial aid (when applicable)
Prepare for the USHL Phase I Draft, serve as intermediary if selected or help secure camp invites if not selected
Begin to educate about the NCAA process, for example, no recruiting conversations allowed prior to January, 1 of Grade 10 (per NCAA)
Assist with recruiting conversations and unofficial visits after January 1 of Grade-10 year
Help prepare the player and family for the possibility of NTDP Evaluation Camp invitation.

Educate about options for the following season: prep school, hockey academies, U18
Discuss programs, academic options, living arrangements, coaching staffs
Determine best option and help secure spot for the following season
Assist with admissions and financial aid (when applicable)
Determine best opportunity to compete at the split season level
Manage NAHL process, tenders and draft
Market player to USHL organizations for Phase I/II Draft
Communicate with USHL and NAHL organizations about the Drafts
Serve as intermediary between USHL and/or NAHL team for player if selected or help secure camp invites if not selected

Canadian Junior Tier- II

Educate about Canadian leagues and organizations
Market player to Canadian leagues and organizations
Assist with letters of intent, verbal commitments, and contracts
Assist with player transfers between Hockey Canada and USA Hockey.
Determine best option and help secure spot for the following season

Market player to USHL organizations for Phase II Draft
Help navigate cuts, trades, and other roster transactions
Manage college process, facilitate conversations, and coordinate official/unofficial visits
Assist and help determine the best development path through junior hockey career

Help navigate cuts, trades, and other roster transactions
Educate about roster/protected list
Help player determine where to play in order to reach the USHL
Serve as intermediary between player and USHL team
Manage college process, facilitate conversations, and coordinate official/unofficial visits

Educate about the NCAA process, for example, no recruiting conversations allowed prior to January, 1 of Grade 10 (per NCAA)
Market player to NCAA programs
Assist with recruiting conversations and unofficial visits after January 1 of Grade-10 year
Assist with the college recruiting process, including but not limited to verbal commitments, official campus visits, scholarships, and financial aid
Assist with NLI process

NCAA ISSUES

At Paragon Sports Consulting, not only do we have the background and connections, but also the experience and expertise to assist student-athletes with complex issues. Working with the right advisor can make all the difference, as our case studies below illustrate.

Issue: A student-athlete sought release without penalty from his NLI.

Action: Paragon helped the student-athlete navigate the process, which entailed communicating with the academic institution and the NCAA, preparing the NLI release request, and the subsequent NCAA NLI appeal.

Outcome: The student-athlete was granted complete release without penalty from NLI on appeal to NCAA.

Issue: The NCAA Eligibility Center classified a student-athlete’s 9th grade English class as a duplicate core course. The student-athlete had reclassified at a preparatory school. Thus, the NCAA ruled that the student-athlete had not fulfilled the core course requirement for the subject.

Action: Paragon Sports Consulting helped the student-athlete challenge the NCAA ruling by demonstrating that the two courses were taught differently and covered different material.

Outcome: The student-athlete won the appeal to the NCAA and was deemed eligible immediately for NCAA Division I competition.

Issue: Player was not happy with his current NCAA experience. The player wanted a change of environment to hopefully improve his playing opportunity and his development.

Action: PSC was tasked with explaining the pros/cons of a potential transfer to the player. PSC then helped the player understand the transfer portal process, including but not limited to, transfer portal compliance, open/close dates, scholarship rules for transfers, and how to secure an opportunity.

Outcome: The player made a commitment to a new school through the transfer portal. This player received a scholarship with a new playing opportunity and academic environment.

Issue: The NCAA Eligibility Center flagged a student-athlete for failing to complete the requisite core courses for Division I eligibility.

Action: Paragon Sports Consulting helped the student-athlete communicate with the NCAA Eligibility Center to determine what course was missing. Then, PSC helped the student-athlete develop a strategic plan to remedy the deficiency by taking a class that fulfilled the requirement.

Outcome: The student-athlete became eligible upon completing the course and attended a Division I school on a scholarship.

GOALTENDER DEVELOPMENT

Goaltending is the most important position in the game of ice hockey. That is why we have a team of experts who specialize in guiding and supporting goaltenders through the specific challenges of their athletic journeys.

Goaltenders tend to be overlooked by the rest of the hockey advising landscape, yet they play a critical role in their team’s success. At Paragon, our team has a deep understanding of the nuances of goaltending at every level of the game, and we provide tailor-made advice and solutions for aspiring collegiate-level goaltenders.

HEAR FROM OUR GOALTENDERS

"Colby was really good about connecting me with schools, being an advocate for me to coaches, and giving me necessary feedback as I worked to reach my goal of playing Division 1 hockey."

Caleb Heil

University of North Dakota

"Working with Colby has been great for my career. His guidance and advice over the past two years has played a huge role in earning a Division I commitment."

Adam Johnson

Lindenwood University

"Working with Colby made my recruiting process go very smoothly. Navigating the hockey world can be difficult, but always knowing that I have Colby working hard to get my name to the right coaches, and finding the right fit for me allows me to put my focus into performing well on the ice without any distractions."

Carson Cherepak

RPI

“Colby has been extremely helpful and supportive through my entire junior process so far. Always available and willing to answer and help with whatever questions I had for him. Joining PSC has undoubtedly helped me become a better hockey player.”

Lucas Massie

Union College

“Colby helped me tremendously in helping decide the pros and cons of different schools. He has been great in helping me whenever I have a question when it comes to the daily things that come with junior and college hockey.”

Christian Manz

Augustana University

“Working with PSC has been an incredible experience as I’ve achieved a lifelong goal of committing to Union College. Before committing, I also had the opportunity to talk with numerous schools which helped me get a better sense of what I was looking for and make a more informed decision.”

Aksel Reid

Union College

“Colby helped me get to where I am now. Through all the adversity and struggles in my career Colby was always on my side willing to go the extra step.”

Ryan Ouellette

Niagara University

Colgate University, Summer 2022

Augustana University, Summer 2022

University of Miami (Ohio), Summer 2022

Union College, Summer 2022

West Point College, Summer 2022

University of Michigan, Summer 2022

University of Maine, Summer 2022

UCONN, Summer 2022

Lindenwood University, Summer 2022

Lindenwood University, Summer 2022

Development Camps

At Paragon’s specialized Development Camps, our mission is simple: create elite summer development camps across North America to provide an unparalleled off-season experience.

Our emphasis is on development, education, and competition. Combining an elite coaching staff and leading industry professionals at premier venues provides our players a unique opportunity. They learn from the best, have the opportunity to showcase themselves to them, and leave camp smarter hockey players with more of the tools they will need to achieve their goals. Additionally, they gain a true understanding of what it takes to play at the highest levels.

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