When it comes to hockey, Maksim Kagan feels at home.
The ice is where the stress melts away. It’s where he feels the spirit of competition and knows when to push himself harder to succeed as part of a team.
So, how did he wind up as a business student at Binghamton University? As Kagan sees it, there’s no quick and easy path to achieving his dream of becoming a general manager or coach in the National Hockey League. But the business skills he’s cultivating in the School of Management (SOM), alongside his coaching experiences with local hockey teams at the professional and high school levels, are the building blocks he believes will help him get there.
“I grew up loving sports, hockey most of all, and I’ve always been open to pretty much any path in business. But I realized that grinding away at a job I’m not really passionate about just isn’t worth it,” Kagan said. “All the people I’ve met who work in hockey have told me, ‘Follow your dreams, follow your passion.’ Why not go for it?”
The New Jersey native came to Binghamton and SOM because of its strong academic reputation and affordability. SOM has been ranked among the nation’s top 10 public business schools over four consecutive years, and what impressed Kagan just as much was how the University’s size provided ample opportunities to get involved with groups that would enhance the experience. On top of that, Binghamton is a hockey town.
Once he got started, he didn’t waste time.
He joined the Sports Management and Management Consulting groups, which presented him with networking opportunities and where he has successfully turned complex challenges into measurable results, highlighted by multiple case competition wins.
“I don’t think there’s another business school in the entire country that has so many incredible opportunities for students to collaborate and network with alumni, and the resources for whatever career path you want to go down,” Kagan said. “I’m constantly learning, and there are so many ways to do it here.”
Meanwhile, on the ice and rinkside, Kagan has found ways to put his lessons from classrooms and clubs into practice.
In May, at the age of 19, he was appointed head coach of the Chenango Forks High School Varsity Hockey team. He served as the team’s assistant coach in the previous season, where he learned that it wasn’t necessary to have “all the answers,” only to empower each player to be part of the solution.
“They can sense my passion for the game, and that just motivates them further, which is huge as a coach, knowing how they recognize that I’m invested in the team’s success,” Kagan said. “Mentoring a hockey team using my SOM skills instead of being in a typical business environment has been super unique.”
In September 2024, Kagan began a year-long internship with the Binghamton Black Bears, a minor professional hockey team, which provided new insight into how the business behind the game is run. He played a hands-on role in game-day operations, including arena setup, fan engagement and execution of in-game promotions. He also helped drive more than $25,000 in ticket revenue, including targeted cold outreach ahead of key games.
Then, as the team’s rinkside reporter from March to May, he collaborated with broadcast crews to deliver live interviews with players and researched player storylines, as well as team trends.
Kagan is building on those experiences as a Greater Ontario Hockey League scout for Neutral Zone, a hockey scouting and news site, and now as a sports marketing intern with Premier Athletic Agency. He’s become increasingly intrigued with using his marketing skills to craft unique brand opportunities for hockey players.
“It’s been great trying to find brands that align with the player’s identity,” he said. “For a hard-hitting physical guy, something like a lumber company, Lowe’s or Home Depot makes sense, while a smaller college-level guy could fit more with a snack or drink company.”
Where will Kagan’s path take him next? He likes to tell classmates and the students he coaches, “Put yourself out there.”
For now, at least, anyplace where business and hockey intersect feels like more than just a job.
To Kagan, it feels like home.