NHLPA Certified Agent BA Sociology University of Western Ontario 1984-87. LLB. University of British Columbia 1987-90 Ian Pulver founded Pulver Sports Inc in September 2006. Over time Pulver Sports Inc evolved into The Will Sports Group. Since that time The Will Sports Group has become a major presence in the hockey industry representing and advising some of the best Players in the world including Tyler Seguin, Mike Cammalleri, Olli Jokinen, Scott Gomez, Nail Yakupov and others. Prior to forming Pulver Sports, Ian Pulver worked as a labour attorney at the NHLPA for 15 years. During his tenure at the NHLPA, Pulver participated in the negotiation drafting and enforcement of the 1992 (Strike),1994 (Lockout) and the 2004 (Lockout) NHL Collective Bargaining Agreements. Pulver was primarily responsible for developing marketplace programs during which the Average League Salary increased from $271,000 to $1,800,000. Pulver provided expert advice to Players and Agents on individual contract negotiations. He was responsible, on an annual basis, to be aware of all Salary Arbitration filings, settlements and hearings. Over time he established legal precedents and marketplace benchmarks that are relied upon by Players of all types. On the grievance arbitration front, Pulver participated in the evaluation of the merits of every labour-related grievance or issue that was brought to the attention of the NHLPA from 1990 to 2006 and was part of a legal team that successfully argued important precedent-setting cases that benefited all Players. (Listing of decisions available upon request). He was involved in reaching various settlement agreements with NHL and appeared as an NHLPA expert witness in several hearings. Pulver was the NHLPA’s primary contact person interacting with Players between 1991 and 2006. Pulver has been recognized on several occasions by The Hockey News as one of the most influential people in hockey. Pulver from time to time makes appearances on sports radio shows to address major issues in the sports world. Ian’s experience is unparalleled in the industry. He resides in Toronto with his wife and three children  

Dominic De Blois has been working with The Will Sports Group since its inception. Over the past ten years, he has been at the helm of the group as the main agent in the province of Quebec. De Blois brings a unique expertise to the table that not many have. Raised in the game, he is the son of a former NHL player who played 15 years in the National Hockey League. De Blois had success as a player, being selected 18th overall in the QMJHL entry draft in 2000. He captained the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for two years in the QMJHL and participated in two NHL professional tryouts. His experience as a player enables him to understand the daily pressure and what it takes to be an elite hockey player. In his last QMJHL season with the Huskies, he was runner up for the best student athlete award in the QMJHL. Following his junior career, he completed a Civil Law degree at the University of Ottawa, where he graduated in 2008. His experience as a student athlete gives him a thorough understanding of what is needed to perform both on and off the ice. Dominic has recruited some of the best young players in the province of Quebec over the past ten years and has played an instrumental role in the career paths of NHL players throughout their midget, junior, and professional careers. In October 2019, he was named Managing Director of the Will Sports Group. He oversees contract negotiations and is involved with all aspects of the day to day operations of the agency. Dominic resides in Gatineau, Quebec, with his wife and two daughters.

NHLPA Certified Agent John Walters played hockey at the AAA and Junior Level before becoming a coach and having the opportunity to coach some of the top prospects in Ontario. Walters spent five years at PEAC School for Elite Athletes as Director of Hockey where he oversaw hockey development and programming. During his tenure at PEAC, NHL drafted players including Josh Ho-Sang played there as well as future players Connor McDavid, Mitchell Stephens, Malcolm Subban and Jordan Subban. Walters also spent two years coaching in the OPJHL and several years coaching in the GTHL. Over time Walters has been working with Pulver Sports and The Will Sports Group advising players at all levels – from minor hockey to the NHL. He has worked very closely with Tyler Seguin from early in his playing career through to the present, helping Seguin to develop into one of the top players in the NHL. John is married with three kids and lives in the Toronto area.

Co–Founder WSG Finland, FHPA Certified Agent Master Of Laws, University of Helsinki 1998. Member of the Finnish Bar Association since 2002 Mika Backman founded WSG Finland Ltd hockey agency with Juha Ylönen in 2003. Backman and Ylönen joined The Will Sports Group in 2014. As a lawyer and skillful negotiator Backman is responsible for player contract negotiations in Europe. Backman has negotiated more than hundred player contracts in European leagues. His clients have played in all European top leagues.  Backman together with his partners represent in Europe over 90 clients including top young Finnish NHL players Miro Heiskanen, Matias Maccelli and Jesse Ylönen, former KHL veteran Jarno Koskiranta and many young future star players lie Aatu Räty, Ville Koivunen and Tuukka Tieksola. Prior establishing the Finnish agency Mika Backman worked as full time attorney at law in Bützow Attorneys Ltd where his mentor was ex top Finnish hockey player Juha Rantasila. Backman is still a Specialist Counsel in Eversheds Attorneys Ltd in Finland, Helsinki. Backman is specialized in Sport Law. Backman lives in Espoo with his wife and two children.

Co–Founder WSG Finland, FHPA Certified Agent Former player: NHL (341 games,) Team Finland, Finnish league World Championship Gold 1995, Olympic Bronze 1998, World Champion Silver, A two-time Finnish League Champion, World Championship Scoring title in 2001 After a successful hockey career (retired at the age of 34 in 2003), Juha Ylonen spend six years coaching junior teams in his home town Espoo. His teams included NHL drafted players such as Miro Heiskanen, Aarne Talvitie, Eeli Tolvanen and Niklas Almari. Working as a coach, Ylonen learned more about what it takes to become a top player in hockey and has prioritized individual player development ever since. Finnish Ice Hockey Federation reward Ylönen as “hockey developer of the year 2011” as a result of Ylönen´s hard work with Espoo juniors. Ylönen was nominated to the Finnish Hockey Hall Of Fame in 2009. In WSG Finland Juha works intensively with young talents and shares his know-how with them by frequent communication and helps them develop a pro athlete life style and training routines. He has worked with NHL drafted players Miro Heiskanen, Niklas Almari, Lenni Killinen and Patrik Siikanen among others. Juha is married and has three children. His oldest son, Jesse (-99) was drafted 2nd round by Montreal Canadiens in 2018 NHL Draft.

Brett Valliquette was born on February 22, 1989 in Newmarket, Ontario. Valliquette was an accomplished minor hockey player growing up. Brett played minor hockey AAA level with the York Simcoe Express, Toronto Red wings and Markham Waxers. During his minor hockey years Brett participated on several championship teams along the way he won 3 GTHL championships and 4 Carnation Cups. Brett was drafted in the Ontario Hockey League by the Plymouth Whalers. Brett played for a Plymouth Whalers team that won an OHL Championship and participated in the Memorial Cup in Vanouver B.C. During his junior years Brett went on to play for the Ottawa 67’s, Oshawa Generals/Couchiching Terriers. Brett turned pro in 2010 and played for the Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL) for four years. In 2014 he played in Sweden for Osby IK (Swedish Elite Divison 1) then returned to Knoxville to help the team win a League Championship. The Presidents Cup Championship (SPHL). Valliquette was respected on and off the ice. Brett has a love and passion for the game of hockey. His never quit attitude allowed him to experience and learn the game of hockey at different levels. Brett has since taken his love for the game and past experience and has given back by spending countless hours at hockey camps and devolpment programs. Fresh off the game Brett brings an passion to the representation business that will be a great asset to The Will Sports Group. Brett is perfectly positioned to help young Players realize their goals and dreams. Brett is also an avid golfer who competed at high levels.

Jonathan Lachance has been involved with The Will Sports Group over the past 10 years. He has been supporting the agency in different capacities in Quebec, eastern Canada and in the north east of the United States. As a player, he spent 2 seasons in the QMJHL and pursued his hockey career in the NCAA. He is one of the few players that have been able to play both in the CHL and in the NCAA. Jonathan made his college hockey debut in 2005-2006 with Norwich University. In 2007 he completed his Bachelors in Business Administration, with a double minor in finance and accounting. Jonathan brings a unique expertise with his vast hockey experience; he has in depth knowledge of both the QMJHL and the US college route. Over the past years he has built strong networks in several industries such as advertising, marketing and in the financial world. In July 2019, Jonathan joined The Will Sports Group in a full time capacity as a Player Advisor and Director of Player Services. He is involved with player recruitment, development as well as assisting players with all needs on and off the ice. Jonathan lives in Bromont, Quebec, with his fiancée and son.

Vince Pedrie was born in Aurora, Illinois on January 17, 1994. Vince played his minor hockey in Chicago before leaving to play in the USHL. After being selected 48th overall in the USHL Phase 1 draft, Vince played four years in the USHL which included a Clark Cup Championship with the Indiana Ice. Vince then went on to attend Penn State University where he won awards such as Big Ten All Rookie Team, Big Ten Second All-Star Team, Big Ten First All-Star Team, Big Ten All-Tournament Team and won a Big Ten Championship. After spending two seasons at Penn State, Vince signed an NHL contract with The New York Rangers. Vince then went on to play parts of four professional seasons in the AHL while continuing to finish his Communications Degree from Penn State. Throughout Vince’s career he has experienced the challenges of being an amateur/professional Player which will allow Vince to guide and assist  players as they pursue their own goals.  Vince’s past experience in the game will allow him to identify and work with talent of all age levels. Since joining The Will Sports Group in 2021, Vince is heavily involved in the Mid-West (Chicago/Detroit/St. Louis etc.) USA

Tomas Orr was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on July 14 1993. Tomas grew up playing minor hockey in Saskatchewan until he completed high school. Upon graduation, Tomas attended the University of Saskatchewan from 2011 until 2017, earning a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Finance in 2015 and his Law Degree in 2017. Tomas completed his articles with a national law firm prior to running his own legal practice for two years. Since leaving the legal industry Tomas has been engaged in recruiting, advising and assisting elite hockey players with their on and off ice needs. Tomas joined Will Sports Group in 2023. He lives in Saskatchewan with his wife and their two children.

Danny Tolensky has worked as the Chief Financial Officer and Partner of multiple companies including Arrivals + Departures, Karma Gaming International and Charlottetown Metal Products. He has a Business Degree from the Schulich School of Business, his Certified Management Accounting Designation and studied negotiation at the Harvard Business School. Tolensky is also a recognized hockey writer who has been a member of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and penned stories for TSN.ca and The Hockey News. Danny has been referenced on Hockey Night in Canada, among many media outlets and has appeared on multiple radio shows – including a regular guest spot on XM’s ‘Business of Hockey’ show. Tolensky has worked with Pulver Sports and The Will Sports Group since 2011 where a key component of his role has been preparing in-depth analysis and assisting with contract negotiations for Unrestricted Free Agents and Group 2 Free Agents. Danny lives in Toronto with his wife and two daughters.