Staff
Carson Johnstone
Founder and President of Pursuit Hockey Development
Carson uses his knowledge and experience in the hockey world to guide his clients as a skills coach and family advisor. From playing prep hockey in Maine, College in Alberta, and across the pond in Sweden, Carson has some interesting and unique hockey experiences that have allowed him to translate his skills and lessons learned to future and prospective student athletes. Carson also runs Skill Development and coaches Pursuit’s U20 team in the summer. When he is not working with Pursuit, he coaches the Sioux Lookout Bombers Jr. A program and Co-hosts a Podcast (The Pursuit Hockey Discussion) with Austen Hoey.
Responsibilities: COO, Family Advisor, Skill Developer, U20 Head Coach.
Nikita Mandrik
Co-Founder and Head Agent of Pursuit Hockey Management
Nikita uses a combination of extensive business and hockey knowledge to create winning relationships with his clients and help them reach and pursue their goals. Nikita is responsible for enhancing his clients’ professional careers as well as their life after professional sports. Nikita uses much of the knowledge and wisdom he has gained in his own playing career, as well as continuing to learn so he can help guide his clients to success. Nikita continues to build and maintain strong relationships with people in the business and hockey world to grow and widen Pursuit’s opportunities for it’s professional hockey players and clients.
Responsibilities: CEO, Player Agent, Professional Representative, Skill Developer
Chris Sacco
Co-Founder / Player Agent and Scout
Chris brings his experience to the table with a strong pool of connections in the world of hockey. Chris has built strong connections in women’s hockey and North America to obtain contracts for his clients. Chris uses his knowledge he has learned from being a former goaltender to assess the game and help guide his clients as well as using the knowledge he has learned coaching Junior hockey for the past 8 years.
Responsibilities: Player Agent, Scout, U20 Assistant Coach.
Jesse Parker
Head Advisor / South ON. Trainer / Recruiter
Jesse uses his strong personal skills and massive contact pool to place his clients in great spots for their development on their way to college. Jesse has built an excellent rapport with many General Managers and coaches in the junior hockey world who trust him and whom he trusts. Jesse is conscious of his player’s desires and wants, while also honest and realistic with his clients to keep them focused and down on earth while working hard towards the goals they set together. Jesse is approachable, fair, and enthusiastic with his clients to ensure they are satisfied with our services and get to where they want to be.
Responsibilities: Player Advancement, Head Player Advisor, Skill Developer, U20 Development Coach, Offensive zone training.
CJ Stellato
Player Agent / Toronto Scout / Skill Development
CJ has strong connections to the Toronto Region, and brings an excellent perspective to the game. During his time in Minor Hockey he was a 2009/2010 U20 AAA GTHL champion with the Toronto Titans. He then spent 4 years playing Jr. A in Ontario in the OJHL, and GOJHL. CJ now applies his knowledge to coaching at the AAA level with the Markham Majors. He has been with the team for 4+ years, helping to offer advice and guidance towards their goals – in all, CJ has spent 10+ years in hockey development. With an honours degree in Communications from York University and Bachelor of Laws at University of London, CJ has written his own book, and writes for our Bi-weekly Newsletter “The Assist”. He is an extremely valued and educated member of the Pursuit Staff, who we believe provides our clients with Pursuit Standard results.
Responsibilities: Author, Consulting, Scouting.
AUSTEN HOEY
Family & Player Advisor
Austen comes to pursuit from Northwestern Ontario where he has a history on both the player development side of things, working as an on ice instructor and skills coach for the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Development Program, and behind the scenes as the General Manager of the Sioux Lookout Bombers Junior A Hockey Club. Working with both parents and players as they navigate the landscape of their hockey career paths has given him a unique view into what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to your individual journey through this incredibly complicated and nuanced sport. Austen is extremely excited to help guide you along your path and give you the best possible tools to be as successful as you want in your hockey career.
Responsibilities: Family and Player advising, Scout/Recruiter, U20 Assistant Coach.
Max Nagy
Sports Management Enthusiast & Economics Expert
Max uses his knowledge of sports and the management side of hockey to obtain endorsement deals for his clients and seek out investment opportunities for players and coaches in the professional world. Max has recently relocated to Dryden, Ontario and looks to grow his network in Northern Ontario as well as continue working virtually with his current clients. Max’s work ethic, honesty, and transparent personality make him a pleasure to work with being a valued and trusted member of the Pursuit Staff.
Responsibilities: Endorsement acquisition, Scout/Recruiter.
Chris Johnstone
Father of Carson Johnstone & Company Mentor.
Chris, otherwise known as “Scoot” is one of the more well known coaches in the Niagara Region. To go along with many personal scoring records still held at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the NCAA, Chris has coached in the OHL, GOJHL, NCAA, and everything in between. Chris uses his vault of hockey knowledge to coach Pursuit clients and develop young players. Chris has always loved passing on his priceless knowledge in the game of hockey and continues to do so as a mentor, coach, and scout here with Pursuit. We are extremely lucky to have Chris on board and a part of growing our business and development program.
Responsibilities: Director of Player Development, Scout/Recruiter, Skill Development, U20 Assistant Coach.
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