Succeeding Off the Ice: Neil Smith goes from Winning in the NHL to Building a Successful Podcast

Ask Brien Show

After building a successful career in the NHL, Neil Smith decided to make a shift into a new career. In doing so, he found a way to utilize his experience and passion for the NHL in a new way. On this episode, sports manager turned senior wealth strategist, Neil Smith joins us to talk about his transition from sportscaster into the financial sector. Neil talks about the similarities between building a strong and successful sports team (and winning the Stanley Cup!) vs. in the financial world. He explains why energy and enthusiasm go a long way when it comes to motivation. Neil talks about his new podcast NHL Wraparound and how he plans to build a business with the show. Tune in for some great insight on finding a career you love.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [6:31] Neil Smith discusses his background and experiences.
• [10:32] How does Neil’s hockey fame help convert hockey fans to UBS?
• [15:18] Is turning the podcast into a business Neil’s ultimate goal?
• [18:23] What are the similarities between building winning teams in the sports world vs. the business world?
• [21:31] How can you effectively do team building in the remote world?
• [23:02] What does Neil think about energy and enthusiasm as a way for team motivation?
• [25:34] Does Neil have advice on managing people with a high ego?
• [30:31] What is the biggest challenge Neil has faced in his career shift?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [8:34] Enthusiasm and passion are the best ways to grow any career or business.
• [18:30] Building a successful sports team vs a successful business team isn’t all that different. The first rule of building a good team is that the people you put on that team, including the leader, have to have character. Then you can start to consider talent.
• [27:30] When dealing with difficult people, you’ve got to remind yourself that it’s not about you. It’s all about them, it’s what’s going on inside of them, it’s not that you’re beneath them, it’s that they are having to act like this to feel secure.

LINKS MENTIONED:

NHL Wraparound Podcast on Spotify

NHL Wraparound Podcast on YouTube

Neil Smith LinkedIn

Email: [e-mail]

BIO

Neil Smith works with the UBS Athletes and Entertainers business for Wealth Management USA. As a member of the team, Neil draws on his deep background as a Hockey Professional to help Financial Advisors understand and address the needs of this special group to succeed off the ice.

The goal of the team is to facilitate holistic advice and planning for these high-profile individuals, and provide Financial Advisors who are focused on this segment with the resources they need to grow their business.

Neil joined UBS Financial Services in February 2018 after more than 35 years in various roles in the National Hockey League and was one of the most highly regarded executives in the NHL.

Neil served as President and GM New York Rangers from 1989-2000. In 1994 under his leadership, the Rangers won the Stanley Cup, their only championship in the past 81 years. Having twice been named NHL Executive of the Year, Smith brought many Hockey Hall of Fame players to the Rangers. He traded for legendary players such as Mark Messier, Mike Gartner, Kevin Lowe, and Adam Graves. In 1996 Wayne Gretzky and Neil agreed to a contract which would see hockey’s greatest player retire as a Ranger.

During his hockey career, Neil served as General Manager/Governor of the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL and Director of Scouting for the Detroit Red Wings. He has been an NHL consultant to the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Neil began his professional hockey career with New York Islanders, and joined the scouting department in 1980.

In his current role, Neil is the liaison between the UBS Arena, Islanders and UBS. He is responsible for ensuring that the Islanders and all visiting players, coaches and managers are fully supported during their time at the Arena. Neil also acts as the face of Hockey at UBS working with the Sports and Entertainment Segment.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Western Michigan University where he was an All-America defenseman. He was inducted into school's Sports Hall of Fame, as the first ever hockey player. He was inducted into the Communications Hall of Fame and awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award at WMU. Neil remains an avid hockey player and very active in hockey analysis and player evaluation and development.

Neil holds his Series 7 and 66 licenses and has licenses for property, casualty, life, health and accident insurance.

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