Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
Derek Sanderson

Derek Sanderson

Keynote Speaker: Canadian Former Professional Hockey Centre & Financial Advisor to Athletes

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  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Contact us for details
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Derek Sanderson Biography

Derek "Turk" Sanderson's years as a professional hockey player began in 1967 with the Boston Bruins. His years of dedication and perseverance through the Juniors had finally paid off. After winning the coveted "Rookie of the Year" award at the close of the season, Derek Sanderson went on to some of the Bruins's best years.

In both 1970 and 1972, the Boston Bruins brought home the Stanley Cup. They were heroes - and love him or hate him, one of the most talked about players was Number 16, Derek Sanderson. Perceived as flashy, flamboyant and gregarious, he established himself as the "Joe Namath of hockey." He appeared on Johnny Carson's Tonight, Donahue, 60 Minutes and Merv Griffin. He was the host of his own television show, appeared in three Hollywood films, co-authored two books, and was voted one of America's ten sexiest men by Cosmopolitan magazine. Derek Sanderson was hot - and nothing could stop him now.

In 1973, Derek made history by signing a $2.65 million contract with the Philadelphia Blazers, members of the newly formed World Hockey Association. He thus became the world's highest paid athlete. But when he suffered an injury after playing only seven games with the Blazers, he started a roller coaster ride of trades, retirement and come-back attempts. It was during his tenure with the New York Rangers that Derek's problem with alcohol became apparent, although he would continue to deny it for another three years.

The WHA contract settlement had left Derek Sanderson a rich man - and he spent freely on himself and others. Cocaine, alcohol and Quaaludes were constant companions, and remained so until 1978. His first attempt to dry out brought him another season in hockey, but failed because he thought he would be able to drink socially. When Pittsburgh chose not to renew his contract, Derek once again fell into the trap of drugs and alcohol. In the two years that followed, Derek Sanderson fell into the depths, even to the point of sleeping in Central Park with other alcoholics.

Finally, in 1980, Derek made an independent assessment of his life. He made the hardest decision he ever had - and he chose to live. And as Tom Brokaw pointed out, he was the only athlete to do it all on his own, without being arrested or getting a lot of press. Without outside assistance, Derek's victory was that much sweeter. Now working with young people as a counselor, Derek Sanderson has a powerful message.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Derek Sanderson and other top speakers and celebrities.

How do I book Derek Sanderson to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Derek Sanderson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Derek Sanderson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Derek Sanderson or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Derek Sanderson for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Derek Sanderson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Derek Sanderson, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Derek Sanderson speak about?

Derek Sanderson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Athlete, Sports, Sports Motivation, Hockey, Mental Health and Health.

Where does Derek Sanderson travel from?

Derek Sanderson generally travels from Boston, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Derek Sanderson?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Derek Sanderson for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Derek Sanderson for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Derek Sanderson or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Derek Sanderson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Athlete, Sports and Sports Motivation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Derek Sanderson for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Derek Sanderson generally travels from Boston, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Webb Simpson, Kevin Kisner and Blake Leeper. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Derek Sanderson for an upcoming event.

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