Kevin Magnuson, Author at Boutique Hockey Agency - KO Sports

J.T. Compher’s versatility, secondary scoring proving vital for Red Wings

Posted on November 29, 2023

DETROIT, MI – J.T. Compher has provided the Detroit Red Wings the secondary scoring and versatility they sought when they made him their most significant offseason free-agent signing.

Compher has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in the past 10 games and ranks third overall in scoring with 16 points, behind Alex DeBrincat (20) and Dylan Larkin (19).

He has solidified the second-line center spot, been an effective bumper on the second power-play unit, and their leading forward on the penalty kill by ice time. He is their only forward averaging more than two minutes a game on both specialty teams.

Slavin family uses hockey star’s platform to raise money to fight human trafficking

Posted on November 29, 2023

RALEIGH, NC – Sports have the power to inspire change and do good in the lives of the people who play and take part in them. It’s why Carolina Hurricanes star defenseman Jaccob Slavin is using his platform to help the 50 million people who are held in some form of modern slavery through human trafficking.

Operation Fight For Freedom is the Slavin family’s mission to raise $1 million as they look to battle human trafficking in the Philippines. Their goal is to raise money that can help local law enforcement in the South Pacific country put an end to the terrible crime.

The International Justice Mission estimated that nearly 50 million people are affected by human trafficking, whether it’s through labor and slavery, or sex trafficking.

Versatile Compher providing Wings with offensive spark

Posted on November 27, 2023

DETROIT, MI – Coaching staffs love players like J.T. Compher.

You can plug a player like Compher on a scoring line, checking line, either power play or penalty kill, in an offensive or defensive role, and Compher, the former Michigan standout, is going to do a professional job.

It’s one of the reasons general manager Steve Yzerman targeted Compher the first day of free agency on July 1, and the Wings signed Compher.

Nearly a quarter of the way into his first season, Compher has been exactly what the Wings wanted.

Canadiens’ Dvorak playing his best in the shadows, deserving of spot he holds

Posted on November 26, 2023

MONTREAL, QUE – A customary post of the lines ahead of Montreal’s matchup with the NHL’s lowest-rank team generated 10 responses — four of them begging to break up the trio that ended up being most responsible for a come-from-behind win.

Fully healthy now, Sean Walker is thriving in Philadelphia with Flyers

Posted on November 21, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, PA – It was just a few days before the start of the Philadelphia Flyers’ season. After facing weeks worth of questions about almost every single player at training camp, head coach John Tortorella sat up at the podium in Voorhees, and faced an unfamiliar query.

What were his thoughts on Sean Walker, unheralded offseason acquisition on defense who — based on practice combinations — appeared to be a lineup lock for Game 1?

“Steady,” Tortorella tersely responded. “You guys don’t talk about him, but you should.”

Why Ryan Johansen was beloved in Nashville is already apparent in Denver

Posted on November 20, 2023

DENVER, CO – There will be an emotional moment Monday night at Bridgestone Arena, both for the yellow-clad patrons and the guy whose memories of an eight-year run as one of their own will flash before him on the scoreboard.

Ryan Johansen will return to Smashville with the Colorado Avalanche, and the tribute video will likely be as meaningful to him as it will to the fans who adored him.

“During my time there, the fans were just incredible,” Johansen said. “They showed so much love toward the team, the players and the organization. It’s just a first-class organization that does a lot of tremendous things, not only within the rink but outside of that as well.”

Boston rookie Beecher score 1st NHL goal in Bruins’ 3-2 victory over Stars

Posted on November 7, 2023

BOSTON, MA – Boston rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei pulled the puck out of his pocket, the keepsake from his first NHL goal. John Beecher had one, too.

Beecher and Lohrei became the first Boston rookies in more than six years to score their first goals in the same game, doing so less than four minutes apart in the first period to put the Bruins ahead to stay in a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night.

“Had to steal my thunder a little bit I guess,” Beecher, who scored first, said with a smile.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare embraces fresh start with Kraken

Posted on November 1, 2023

TAMPA BAY – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare made his mark with the Lightning as the consummate locker room guy, a player who could lift his teammates with his ever-positive demeanor and genuine appreciation for playing the game.

But in finding a new home with the Seattle Kraken this season at age 38, Bellemare wants to show he still has more hockey left in him on the ice.

“It was not that something was wrong here in Tampa,” Bellemare said. “It was more like, ‘OK, how can I challenge myself to be more like I was a few years ago and instead of being maybe set back a little bit.”

In the first period of his first game back in Tampa with the Kraken, Bellemare was honored with a video tribute, and given a standing ovation by the Amalie Arena crowd. The Kraken ultimately escaped with a 4-3 overtime triumph.

Ekholm set for ‘special’ return to Nashville with Oilers

Posted on October 17, 2023

EDMONTON, AB – Mattias Ekholm discussed with his family whether they should attend his first game back to play against the Nashville Predators.

The Edmonton Oilers defenseman has a strong connection to Nashville, selected by the Predators in the fourth round (No. 102) of the 2009 NHL Draft and spending nine-and-a-half seasons playing home games at Bridgestone Arena before he was traded Feb. 28.

“My wife and I, we debated back and forth,” Ekholm said Monday prior to departing with the Oilers for Nashville. “We’re arriving around 6 p.m., and leaving right after the game, so we decided for them to stay back. We have three kids, and one is only three months old, so to jump on a plane, four hours there, four hours back, my wife was probably making the right decision to say, ‘we’ll watch it on TV and support you.’”