YOUR PREMIER
BOUTIQUE HOCKEY AGENCY ON THE PRAIRIES.
ABOUT US
NOT YOUR AVERAGE HOCKEY AGENCY.
CARSON SHIELDS, B.A.
President / Co-Founder
Carson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution Studies with a concentration in Negotiation and Communications, and he has also obtained his Career Employment Coach Certificate through the University of Winnipeg’s PACE program. Most recently, Carson completed his Sports Industry Essentials Certificate from Columbia University and became an agent with the PHPA.
Carson has been involved in scouting and player development since finishing his junior playing career in 2009. In that time, Carson has scouted for several Junior A teams and is a former recruiter for the Nipissing University Men’s Hockey Team (OUA). In 2018, Carson co-founded Wingman Hockey Group (formerly Wingman Player Consulting) and has since negotiated numerous professional contracts, CHL standard agreements and NCAA Division 1 scholarships. He puts an emphasis on the client relationship and strives to provide every opportunity possible for his players.
In 2014, Carson’s off-ice contributions to the game were recognized when was named a “Manitoba Hero” for his work in speaking out against hazing in sports as well as being a nominee for the RBC Transforming Lives Award.
As President, Carson is in charge of overseeing WHG’s day-to-day operations and ensuring that the firm is continually building strong relationships with present and prospective clients. Carson is excited to share his wealth of hockey knowledge and experience with players across the globe, and to help them achieve their goals both on and off the ice.
GUS GOTTFRED
Player Advisor
Director of Hockey Analytics,
Research & Development
Since 2004, Gus has been a regular in the press box at the Winnipeg Arena and Bell MTS Place recording stats for the coaching staff and management of the Manitoba Moose and Winnipeg Jets. For 16 years, Gus has continued to learn and adapt to how stats and analytics have developed.
Communications-wise, Gus spent a season with the Winnipeg Blues developing their PR department. He also spent a season with the Winnipeg Jets as an intern, helping the PR staff with various duties.
Basically, Gus was born in a hockey rink with nearly 1000 professional games tracked with the Moose/Jets organizations.
Gus has gained reputation as a respectful hard-working man who puts others before himself. He speaks yearly to kids at St. Paul’s High School, his alma matter, who are looking to follow his footsteps.
THOMAS CLAYTON
Player Advisor
Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Management from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. After having played 4 years of NCAA Division III (2014-2018), Thomas went on to play 2 seasons of professional hockey at the SPHL level (Knoxville Ice Bears 2018-19, Fayetteville Marksmen 2021-22), as well as serve in the United States Army for 4 years at Fort Bragg/Liberty. At the end of his military career, he became an assistant coach for the Fayetteville Marksmen in the SPHL (2022-23).
“I want to help players develop and succeed, and I am willing to work with them in whatever ways I need to in order to help make that happen.”
Thomas is a tireless worker and extremely passionate about hockey. Having been a client of WHG in his career, it was a natural transition to working for WHG after already working with them for his years playing/coaching.
DAVE MACDONALD
Digital Media
Coordinator
Dave graduated from the University of Winnipeg’s Business Administration program in December of 2018, where he played for the baseball team prior to a shoulder injury. From there, he went on to play in the MMJHL for the Fort Garry Twins, winning Rookie of the Year for the league in his first season and proceeding to Captain the team in the following two years.
Upon his retirement from hockey, Dave launched his own production company, Strangers Media Co., where he specializes in providing visual services in the music industry - directing, shooting and editing music videos, as well as creating the artwork for album releases.
Dave is tasked with preparing visuals for the Wingman Hockey Group - from Graphics on our website and social media, to headshots/highlight reels, and corporate videos alike. His main task will be to produce high quality highlight videos for our clients that can be distributed to teams at the next level. The addition of Dave to the WHG team is one more step that we are taking to invest in our "Technology" pillar and continue our trajectory as the prairies boutique hockey agency.