San Jose Sharks rookie Michael Misa’s agent, Dave Gagner, details how agents recruit young prospects in the NIL era. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Getty Images

A lot has changed when it comes to recruiting in the NIL era.

Since the legalization of NIL in 2021, high school and college athletes have been able to monetize on their name, image and likeness. That means you often see 18-year-olds already earning millions of dollars before they even officially step foot on a college campus as a freshman.

For example, BYU Cougars freshman AJ Dybansta already has an NIL valuation of $4.1 million, the fourth-highest of any player in the nation. That’s before the 18-year-old has even played a game for the Cougars.

The landscape for young athletes has changed drastically in less than five years. It’s a representation of the new power that high-ranking athletes and five-star prospects have before officially becoming pro players.

The Wasserman group is a top-ranking agency – Forbes ranked them the No. 2 sports agency – that represents multiple big names in just about every major sport. Wasserman is a marketing and talent management company that represents 30-plus No. 1 overall draft picks across the five major sports along with the WNBA and NWSL.

In the NBA, they represent the reigning Rookie of the Year in Stephon Castle, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Evan Mobley and No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, V.J. Edgecombe. Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose is also a client of theirs.

In the NHL, they represent the best player in the game in Connor McDavid and the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Michael Misa.

You can also add the best wide receiver in college football in Ohio State Buckeyes phenom Jeremiah Smith to their portfolio, who has the third-highest NIL valuation of any player at $4.2 million.

Dave Gagner, an agent who works for Wasserman and represents Misa, details the key to recruiting players in the NIL era. The 60-year-old Gagner himself is a former hockey player, spending a number of years (1984-1999) in the NHL.

Misa is just 18 years old, but Gagner has known the San Jose Sharks rookie since he was 12 or 13 years old. He says he started talking to Misa when he was in grade seven and has also known his brother, Luke – who was drafted by the Calgary Flames – since he was in grade nine.

He says the process of talking to top prospects starts before high school nowadays. That wasn’t the case in the pre-NIL era.

“We didn’t do it until they were maybe two years older, it’s really gone down now to grade eight or nine at the latest,” says Gagner when it comes to talking to top prospects. It’s really not something that we like. I don’t think anybody likes it, but it’s necessary to introduce yourself to families, let them know you’re interested.”

Misa is the definition of a generational prospect. The Ontario native was granted exceptional player status in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) at the age of 15, becoming the eighth player to be granted that type of status. He promptly went on to have to most productive season in OHL history, averaging 1.24 points per game during the 2022-23 season.

He went on to score 62 goals during the 2024-25 season, tying Patrick Kane – a three-time Stanley Cup champion and former Hart Memorial Trophy winner – for the most goals in a draft-eligible season.

Gagner explains that when it comes to a talent such as Misa, you try to “help” with their daily development early on without being too “intrusive.”

“There’s still such a long process to it,” says Gagner. “It’s a bit of a risk on both sides, but I think in Michael’s case, he was so much further ahead than his own age group that we really trusted in the process with that. It’s worked out almost to a T to this point. We just try to help with their daily development.

“Not to be too intrusive, but when they need help, with our experience, we have the capability to help them, get through some types of adversity and also how to handle the good times too,” Gagner continues. “In sports, it’s always an ongoing evaluation all the time, and you have good things and bad things and move on to the next day — be able to get your game out there. I think we’re able to help players with that type of mindset.”

Misa currently has deals with CCM and Upper Deck. Gagner details that they tried to mimic the deal that McDavid also had at the same age. McDavid was also granted exceptional player status in the OHL at the age of 15.

“We’ve had a good relationship with Upper Deck going back to Connor McDavid,” Gagner details. “They’ve been helpful with the majority of our players, they’ve been able to do some type of deal with Upper Deck. With Michael, we tried to emulate Connor’s deal at the same age type of thing where there’s a certain guarantee once Michael hits the NHL. Prior to that, he’s compensated better than average while he’s playing junior hockey.”

Gagner details they’ve done the same thing when it comes to the CCM deal with Misa.

“Much along the same lines as CCM, Connor McDavid is a CCM brand partner as well,” details Gagner. “We were just trying to mimic that relationship. Michael really likes the products, so it wasn’t very difficult. It was a seamless transition and CCM wanted to work with us.

“With our experience with Connor, we were able to understand what value Michael would have moving forward,” Gagner continues. “Not saying that they’re the same players, but at that age, they’re both exceptional status players and you could use a comparison model. It helps young players like Michael get through the junior years in a positive way.”

Misa explains how Gagner helps him as he starts out his NHL career as a top prospect at the age of 18.

“He’s great,” says Misa of Gagner. “He’s usually my go-to-guy when I need something, on and off the ice about hockey. He’s obviously played for a while, so it’s easy to ask someone like that for advice. He’s done a great job guiding me and leading me through my hockey career. He’s always been there for me every step of the way. I have nothing but good things to say about him.”

Misa details that Wasserman doesn’t just help him with his marketing and off-the-ice deals, it’s also with trainers and everything that he really needs to remain in top shape.

“It’s just how much work they put in behind the scenes, and what they’ve been providing for me,” says Misa of Wasserman. “They’re a top end agency, and some of the stuff, including off-ice trainers that they’ve got for me, honest people to work with, deals, sponsorships, just the whole package. They work their ass off. It’s impressive what they do.”

Gagner details what makes Wasserman stand out and why they’re a top agency able to garner some of the top names in the sports world.

“We have a lot of support within our own group in terms of player development and all the aspects that players require to become the best that they could be in their profession,” says Gagner. “They get a lot of support and as agents, we get a lot of support as well. Whether it be through marketing, social media or concierge service, all those things. Wasserman’s a huge help to all of us in terms of how we can service our clients.”