{{Short description|Canadian sports agent}} {{Infobox person | name = Pat Brisson | image = | image_size = 180px | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|1|22}} | birth_place = Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada | spouse = | children = |alma_mater= University of Ottawa | occupation = Sports Agent }}

'''Pat Brisson''' (born January 22, 1965) is a Canadian National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) agent and co-head of the Hockey Division of Creative Artists Agency with partner J.P. Barry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hockey {{!}} CAA|url=https://www.caa.com/sportstalent/hockey|access-date=2020-11-03|website=www.caa.com}}</ref> He is also the father of the New York Rangers prospect Brendan Brisson. Brisson is known for his influence in the National Hockey League (NHL), particularly for representing high-profile players and negotiating high-value contracts.

== Playing career == Brisson enjoyed a successful junior hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), averaging over a point per game with the Verdun Juniors, Drummondville Voltigeurs and Hull Olympiques, where he played for future NHL coach Pat Burns and with NHL great Luc Robitaille.<ref>{{cite web|date=|title=Pat Brisson: Still in the game|url=http://www.hockeyplayer.com/artman/publish/article_203.shtml|accessdate=2010-10-06|publisher=Hockeyplayer.com}}</ref> Brisson later played hockey professionally in Europe for the Tilburg Trappers in the Netherlands<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dustin Jeffrey tekent in Zagreb |url=https://www.ijshockey.nl/nieuws/dustin-jeffrey-tekent-in-zagreb |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=IJshockey Nederland}}</ref> under coach Lou Vairo, who was also the head coach of the U.S. Olympic hockey team in 1984.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |date=2018-11-14 |title=Duhatschek: How Pat Brisson went from washing cars and crashing on couches to being hockey's top agent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/651495/2018/11/14/duhatschek-how-pat-brisson-went-from-washing-cars-and-crashing-on-couches-to-being-hockeys-top-agent/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Early career == Brisson moved to Los Angeles in 1987. He co-founded Ice Specialty Entertainment with business partner Robitaille, which played a major role in the creation of the first Iceoplex skating facility. He was an important figure in the development of practice spaces for NHL teams, with locations in both Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, the practice homes for the LA Kings and the Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Iceoplex |url=http://www.iceoplex.com/Programs/RobitailleBrisson.htm |accessdate=2010-10-06 |publisher=Iceoplex}}</ref> In 1990, he produced the documentary ''Mario Lemieux: The Magnificent''.<ref name=":13" />

== Agent career == In 1992, Brisson began his career as a hockey agent, initially working alongside Tom and Steve Reich.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-11 |title=Brisson lets clients know he’s with them, not Canadiens |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2012/04/16/Labor-and-Agents/Labor-and-Agents/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref> In 2001, Brisson joined IMG, where he co-managed alongside JP Barry until 2006. While at IMG he represented players including Sidney Crosby. In 2006, he co-founded CAA Hockey with JP Barry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-11 |title=CAA Adds Former IMG Hockey Bosses Pat Brisson, J.P. Barry |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/08/Sports-Industrialists/CAA-Adds-Former-IMG-Hockey-Bosses-Pat-Brisson-JP-Barry/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref>

Brisson's client roster includes several prominent players such as Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy winners Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Anže Kopitar, and Jonathan Toews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Labor and Agents: Inside Pat Brisson’s high-altitude dealmaking on NHL draft day |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2021/08/02/Insiders/Labor-and-Agents.aspx |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}</ref> During the 2014 off-season, he negotiated matching eight-year, $84 million contracts for Chicago Blackhawks teammates Kane and Toews, the highest average annual value of any contract at the time since the introduction of the NHL's salary cap in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-07-16 |title=Kane: 'Not even a thought' to leave Chicago |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nhl/story/_/id/11224940/chicago-blackhawks-introduce-new-contracts-patrick-kane-jonathan-toews |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, in 2022 Brisson negotiated an eight-year, $100.4 million contract for Nathan MacKinnon which made him the highest-paid player in the league at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baugh |first=Peter |title=Nathan MacKinnon's record contract with Avalanche is 'about being here forever' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3613670/2022/09/20/nathan-mackinnon-record-contract-avalanch/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}</ref>

Brisson also represented Jack Eichel during his dispute with the Buffalo Sabres over a neck injury, which became one of the most complicated in the NHL's history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-27 |title=Report: Eichel switching agents amid dispute with Sabres - TSN.ca |url=https://www.tsn.ca/buffalo-jack-eichel-pat-brisson-1.1686566 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=TSN |language=en |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-27 |title=Reports: Eichel swaps reps amid Sabres dispute |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/32096711/jack-eichel-reportedly-switching-agents-amid-dispute-buffalo-sabres |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Shortly after hiring Brisson, Eichel was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he underwent the artificial disk replacement surgery that had been denied by the Buffalo Sabres, allowing him to return to play.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gentille |first=Sean |last2=Custance |first2=Craig |title=Bill Daly Q&A: Seattle’s launch, Pat Brisson’s impact on Jack Eichel, ESPN vs. TNT and talks with Robin Lehner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2882769/2021/10/11/bill-daly-qa-seattles-launch-pat-brissons-impact-on-jack-eichel-espn-vs-tnt-and-talks-with-robin-lehner/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Sportsnet |date=2021-11-04 |title=Golden Knights acquire Jack Eichel in blockbuster trade with Sabres |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/golden-knights-sabres-come-agreement-jack-eichel-trade/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Sportsnet.ca |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-01 |title=Jack Eichel leads the way in NHL for disk replacement surgeries |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/jack-eichel-leads-the-way-in-nhl-for-disk-replacement-surgeries |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Client roster === Over the course of his career, he has represented numerous Hockey Hall of Fame inductees including Mario Lemieux, along with Tom and Steve Reich, Luc Robitaille, Chris Chelios, Sergei Fedorov, Rob Blake, Marty Brodeur, and Roberto Luongo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-04-10 |title=NHL great Robitaille to hang up skates |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2404138 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-25 |title=Fedorov leaves Capitals, signs deal in Russia |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4285795 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Since 2005, Brisson has represented nine first-overall selections in the NHL entry draft, including Sidney Crosby (2006), Erik Johnson (2007), Patrick Kane (2007), John Tavares (2009), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Auston Matthews (2016), Jack Hughes (2019), Owen Power (2021), and Macklin Celebrini (2024).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Sean |title=How agents experience the journey to the NHL draft from early recruiting to the first contract |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1032331/2019/06/18/the-nhl-draft-is-also-a-big-moment-for-those-who-work-in-the-shadows-the-agents/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Brisson is the agent for the Hughes brothers - Quinn, Jack, and Luke - who were all top 10 draft picks in their respective drafts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bamford |first=Tab |title=Kane and Toews' Agent Pat Brisson Drives the NHL Star Market Beyond Chicago |url=https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2023/02/08/kane-and-toews-agent-pat-brisson-drives-the-nhl-star-market-beyond-chicago/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=www.bleachernation.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Roustan |first=W. Graeme |date=July 28, 2021 |title=CAA POSTS RECORD FIRST ROUND AT NHL DRAFT |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/caa-posts-record-first-round-at-nhl-draft |work=The Hockey News}}</ref> Brisson also represents Gavin McKenna who has been projected since 2023 to most likely be taken first overall for the 2026 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is Gavin McKenna going WHL or NCAA? Ex-Canuck Byron Ritchie helping him decide |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/gavin-mckenna-whl-or-ncaa-byron-ritchie-helping-him-decide}}</ref>

In the 2021 NHL draft, CAA Hockey, led by Brisson represented 10 of the 31 first round draft picks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dylan Larkin's abruptly makes a decision that will impact his next contract |url=https://www.bladeofsteel.com/Dylan-Larkin-abruptly-makes-a-decision-that-will-impact-his-next-contract-128170 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Bladeofsteel |language=en-EN}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition == In 2021, Brisson was named the 13th most powerful agent in all of sports by ''Forbes''.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Pat Brisson |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/pat-brisson/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Brisson was named the 10th most powerful and influential person in hockey and the #1 ranked hockey agent in 2023 by ''The Hockey News''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 9, 2023 |title=THE HOCKEY NEWS' PEOPLE OF POWER AND INFLUENCE 2023: PAT BRISSON |url=https://thehockeynews.com/money-and-power/the-hockey-news-people-of-power-and-influence-2023-pat-brisson |work=The Hockey News}}</ref> In 2024, the ''Vancouver Sun'' named Brisson as the most productive agent in hockey,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayenknecht |first=Tom |date=August 23, 2024 |title=Hockey super agents at CAA reign supreme, while MLB Blue Jays and Mariners suffer |url=https://vancouversun.com/sports/tom-mayenknecht-hockey-agents-jays-mariners |website=Vancouver Sun}}</ref> and ''Sports Illustrated'' described him as "the league's premier agent."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=NHL Agent's Career Earnings Hit Unreal Number |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/news-feed-page/nhl-agent-pat-brisson-career-earning-unreal-number |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Break Away ON SI |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of 2025, he had negotiated over $1.5 billion in contracts for the players he represents.<ref name=":02" /> ''The Hollywood Reporter'' did a piece on Brisson titled "A Day in the Life of CAA's Very own Jerry MacGuire", covering his influence in the sports and entertainment industries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2013 |title=A Day in the Life of CAA's Very Own Jerry Maguire {{!}} Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/caas-pat-brisson-a-day-604919 |access-date=2020-11-03 |website=www.hollywoodreporter.com}}</ref>

==Hockey career statistics== {| style="text-align:center; width:75%; border: 0; padding: 2px; border-spacing: 0;" |- style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! colspan="3" style="background:#fff;"| &nbsp; ! rowspan="99" style="background:#fff;"| &nbsp; ! colspan="5" | Regular&nbsp;season ! rowspan="99" style="background:#fff;"| &nbsp; ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 1982–83 | Verdun Juniors | QMJHL | 61 || 6 || 24 || 30 || 35 | 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 5 |- style="background:#f0f0f0;" | 1983–84 | Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 61 || 24 || 44 || 68 || 70 | 10 || 5 || 3 || 8 || 17 |- | 1984–85 | Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | 64 || 45 || 41 || 86 || 76 | 9 || 1 || 6 || 7 || 14 |- | 1985–86 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 59 || 37 || 46 || 83 || 73 | 15 || 14 || 18 || 32 || 37 |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{hockeydb|38489}} *{{IMDb name|0109906}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brisson, Pat}} Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian sports agents Category:Drummondville Voltigeurs players Category:Hull Olympiques players Category:Ice hockey people from Montérégie Category:Sportspeople from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Category:Verdun Juniors players Category:Sports agents Category:Tilburg Trappers players Category:Ice hockey agents