When Drake Berehowsky’s 14-year NHL career ended in 2004, he — like others in his sport — left with a bitter taste in his mouth.



That year, the 32-year-old defenceman posted 24 points in 56 games split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.



That summer, in search of another contract, he presented some of the numbers behind his play to his agent and asked him to use them in discussions with general managers.



“I’m not sure if (my agent) did it or not but I was a better value pound-for-pound or dollar-for-dollar than what was out there,” Berehowksy told The Athletic via phone from Orlando, where he coaches the Leafs’ ECHL affiliate Solar Bears.



“I was playing the minutes that I was playing and I had the production that I was doing and GMs never gave me the opportunity.”



The end came abruptly. It motivated him to become a coach, and to make sure he...