Episode 2 of On the Road with Jeff Marek takes us to a stunning cottage on Airbnb located in beautiful Muskoka, Ontario, where Jeff Marek sits down with Edmonton Oilers CEO of Hockey Operations, Jeff Jackson. From his days as an NHL player, to working as an agent representing Connor McDavid, to now helping lead one of the league’s most storied franchises, Jackson’s career path is one of the most fascinating in hockey.
In this conversation, Jackson opens up about transitioning from life on the ice to NHL front offices, what it was like representing McDavid as a teenager, and navigating the pressures of working in Toronto’s hockey spotlight as an executive with the Maple Leafs. He shares untold stories about Mario Lemieux, John Brophy, and life as an NHL roommate, while also talking about the business side of the game, his time building a player agency, and eventually joining Wasserman.
The episode isn’t just about hockey. Jackson and Marek dive into music, travel, and culture, touching on everything from why hockey players love City and Colour, to wild concert memories with Kevin Costner and U2, to the best road-trip stops in the NHL. Jackson also reflects on Sam Gagner’s post-playing career with Muskoka Hockey and why he believes Connor McDavid’s leadership and humility make him one of the most impactful captains in the game today.
This episode captures the unique mix of hockey, travel, culture, and storytelling that defines On the Road with Jeff Marek.
00:00 – Intro
00:42 – Jeff Jackson’s hockey journey: player, agent, executive
02:14 – The reality of summers in hockey management
04:26 – Early playing days & lessons from Brantford
06:07 – John Brophy stories & making the NHL
09:11 – Life with the Maple Leafs front office
12:18 – Transition into player agency & recruiting challenges
15:19 – Building a hockey agency & joining Wasserman
16:12 – Jeff Marek’s Airbnb story & sponsor message
17:06 – Music talk: City and Colour & Dallas Green
18:46 – Best concerts ever (Tragically Hip, U2 & Kevin Costner cameo)
21:02 – Connor McDavid as a teenager: what made him different
22:55 – McDavid’s leadership, humility & drive to win
24:20 – Sam Gagner’s hockey mind & Muskoka Hockey project
27:39 – Favorite NHL cities & road-trip memories
29:33 – Playing in Quebec City with the Nordiques
30:42 – Best NHL roommates & road life stories
31:40 – Playing against Mario Lemieux
32:48 – Closing thoughts
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1 h et 23 min