Current Section
39th Annual Eagle River Hockey School
Instructors
The Eagle River Summer Hockey School is known for providing an intense and disciplined training environment. This is the most dedicated and disciplined hockey instruction team anywhere. The tone of the training environment is set by an organized and disciplined staff.
Each program’s instruction team is made up of a Lead Instructor, senior instructors, and junior instructors. Instructors are mostly active players that compete at various levels from AAA to NCAA to professional. Prior to becoming instructors they are trained and must meet exceptional leadership and teaching standards to continue as an instructor.
We generally have 7-8 instructors on ice to maintain a student instructor ratio of around 6:1.
Jason Fredricks, Lead Instructor, Director of Next Level Hockey Training Program
Teaching Profile:
- This is Jason's 18th year at the Eagle River Hockey School (6 years as a student and 12 years on the instruction team) and his 5th year as a Lead Instructor
- Jason has been in various roles with the Northern Freeze and Next Level Training since the program's inception in 2001
- Jason is responsible for strategic planning, curriculum design and implementation, leading on-ice sessions, and teaching in all environments
- Jason brings an unmatched focus and dedication to teaching when he steps on the ice - he demands perfection
- Based on his genuine passion for the game Jason is known to drive and motivate players past their potential
- Jason is also wa a lead instructor and coach at Shattuck St. Mary’s Hockey Camps in Faribault, Minnesota for four years.
- Jason has Level 4 USA Hockey Coaching Certification.
Education:
Jason has a BS in Geology from the Colgate University.
Playing Experience
- Ontario Reign, ECHL (2011-present)
- Utah Grizzlies, ECHL (2010-2011)
- South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL (2010)
- Providence Bruins, AHL (2009)
- NCAA Division I Colgate University, Hamilton, NY (2005-2009)
- Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep Team, Faribault, MN (2003-2005)
- 2005 USA Hockey U-18 National Champion, 2004 U-18 Runner-up
- USA Hockey Select 15, Select 16 and Select 17 Festivals
Kevin Deeth, Senior Instructor
Teaching Experience:
- Kevin's teaching and playing experience makes him a great addition to the Next Level Training Program Staff. This is his second year on our staff.
- Kevin has a true passion for the games and teaching students. His experience as student athlete through high school, juniors, college hockey, and into the pros will be inspirational to students.
- Kevin was an instructor at Shattuck St. Mary's Hockey School for four years.
- Kevin was an instructor and head counselor at Notre Dame Hockey Camps for four years.
- Kevin was the head instructor at the Green Bay Gamblers hockey camps and also an instructor at Minnesota Made Hockey Camps.
Playing Experience:
- Stavanger Oilers, Norway (2011-present)
- Utah Grizzlies, ECHL (2010-2011)
- NCAA Division I, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN (2006-2010)
- University of Notre Dame Assistant Captain 2009-10
- 2006 CCHA All Rookie Team
- 2008 NCAA Frozen Four All Tournament Team
- 2010 University of Notre Dame, Scholar Athlete of the Year
- Green Bay Gamblers, USHL (2005-06)
- 2005-06 USHL All Star, USHL All-Rookie Team
- Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep Team, Faribault, MN (2003-2005)
- 2005 USA Hockey U-18 National Champion, 2004 U-18 Runner-up
- USA Hockey Select 14, Select 15, Select 16 and Select 17 Festivals
- USA Hockey Select 17 National Team
Education:
Kevin has a BA in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame with a minor in finance.
Charlie Depuydt, Senior Instructor
Teaching Experience:
- Charlies' playing experience combined with his coaching and education background makes him a valued member of the staff.
- Head coach of Northland Pines High School, 2008-present
- Assistant coach for Hayward High School for one year
- Fifth year instructing at Eagle River Hockey School
- BA in Elementary Education/Early Childhood from UW Superior
- Kindergarten teacher in Northland Pines School District
Playing Experience
- NCAA Division III UW Superior Yellowjacket National Champions
- NCAA Division III UW Eau Bluegolds
- NAHL Junior A, Texas Tornados
- Junior B, Boston Junior Blackhawks
- Team Wisconsin 1999
- Northland Pines High School
- USA Hockey Select 17 Festival, Central District Team
Charlie Strauss, Senior Instructor
Teaching Profile:
- Charlies' playing experience combined with his attention for detail makes him an excellent instructor.
- Fifth year instructing at Eagle River Hockey School
- Great example of a nuturing yet very demanding instructor.
Playing Experience
- NCAA Division III Middlebury College, 2008-present
- Middlebury College Captain, 2010-11 and 2011-2012
- 1st Team All-NESCAC 2010-11
- Team Wisconsin 2007-08
- WIAA first team All-State 2008, 2nd in WIAA scoring, Player of the Year Finalist
- Northland Pines High School 2004-08, Captain 2007-08
- Conference MVP 2006-07 and 2007-08
- USA Hockey Select 17 Festival, Central District Team
Education
- Majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Middlebury College
Peter Nesper, Senior Instructor
Teaching Profile:
- Peter's playing experience and love of the game and working with kids comes across in his teaching of skills.
- Sixth year instructing at Eagle River Hockey School
- Peter fully believes that practice makes perfect and you can learn anything if you put your mind to it.
Playing Experience
- NCAA Division III Finlandia University, MCHA, 2011-present
- Chicago Hitmen, NAHL, (2010-11)
- Dubuque Thunderbirds, CSHL (2008-2010)
- Minnesota Ice Hawks, MNJHL (2008)
- Green Bay Jur. Gamblers, Midget AAA (2007)
- Northland Pines High School 2004-2006
Education
- Majoring in Environmental Studies at at University of St Thomas
Jaime Athens, Instructor
Teaching Profile:
- Jaime has a passion for Teaching, especially the game of Hockey.
- Fifth year instructing at Eagle River Hockey School
- Degree in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education and Coaching from Concordia University.
- Assistant coach of Jr Admiral's U-19 Girls 2011-12.
- Head Coach of Northern Wisconsin Wildcates U-13 AAA Girls 2008, 2009
- Currently student teacher of Physical Education at Dunwiddlie Elementary School in Port Washington and Greenfield High School
Playing Experience
- Concordia University Wisconsin 2007-11
- Concordia Assistant Captain (2008-09, 2009-2010)
- Concordia Captain (2010-2011)
- NCHA Honorable Mention (2009-10)
- NCHA Scholar Athlete Award (2008-09, 2009-10)
- 2nd Highest in Career Points in Concordia Women's Hockey History with 71 points in 102 games
- Team Wisconsin U19 Girls 2005, 2006
- NPHS High School Girls Igaugural Season 2006-07
Education
- Degree in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education and Coaching from Concordia University.
The other instructors are active players currently playing at the college, junior, or high school level. These players are very proficient at demonstrating the skills being taught. There is generally 7 or 8 instructors on ice and we strive to keep student instructor ratio around 6:1.
In the past two years the instructors have also included:
- Brycen Eberwein, St Olav's College, NCAA Division III
- Nick Athens, Northland Pines, 4 year letter winner
- Gabby Grandin, Bowdoin College, NCAA Division III
- Matt Kaitchuck, NPHS, WIAA
Off Ice Staff
The off ice staff for Eagle River Summer Hockey School has been the same for the past 13 years. Jack and Glen were instrumental in the restructuring of the program in 1998 which has evolved into the program we have today. Both were parents of talented, avid, youth hockey players and were striving to find the best way to help their skaters develop. After several years of traveling all over North America searching for the right hockey school they found it and brought it back to Eagle River.
Jack Fredricks, Off Ice Director of Next Level Hockey Training Program
Profile:
Glen Nesper, Director of Education for Next Level Hockey Training Program
Profile:
- Glen has has a 36 year teaching background with a Masters degree in History from UW Madison.
- Glen has been working with the Eagle River Hockey School for 13 years. His responsibilities include coordinating lunch time educational sessions and consulting with the on ice staff regarding the curriculum. In addition, Glen is onsite during the entire program taking care office needs and issues.
- Glen has 16 years of hockey coaching experience, including being the coaching director for the ERRA.
- During Glen's tenure as the ERRA coaching director, he synthesized an on ice training regiment based on Russion overspeed system and European flow concept. The Eagle River teams at the turn of the millenium are well represented on the red championship banners that hang above center ice and several of these skaters moved on to Junior A, NCAA Division I and Division III, as well as professional play.
- Glen maintains that working "hard-smart" gives you a chance to succeed but does not guarantee it. The well balanced athlete who brings mental toughness with love of the game increases his/her chance of being discovered for what they can become.
- Glen's passion for the game and teaching students is seldom matched.
