About Us

Fritsche's Hockey Academy is led by former NHLer, and 13-year pro, Dan Fritsche. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Dan feels the obligation to share his knowledge, passion, and love of the game with Cleveland's youth hockey players and young players across the nation. Led by some of Cleveland's best coaches, FHA helps players develop the necessary skills to get a step up on the competition or move onto the next level.

Coaches

At FHA we pride ourselves in putting the best coaches on the ice or behind the bench with our athletes. No matter it be on ice clinics or a summer tournament, our goal is that our athletes come out better skilled or more knowledgeable each time they join us.

Founder of FHA, Dan Fritsche

Since retirement, Dan devotes his time to growing Cleveland hockey through FHA. Dan's passion has always been to work with his coaches and players to raise the level of each athlete

Dan and his wife Melissa have 3 boys. Mason and Brady (Twin 2015's) and Danny Jr. (2020).

Playing Career

Drafted in 2003 NHL draft, 46th overall by Columbus Blue Jackets
Also played for New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild
Played 256 NHL games, scoring 34 goals and 76 total points
Won the Memorial Cup with the London Knights in 2004, named to the tournament's first all-star team
Led Team USA to their first-ever Gold medal in the 2004 World Junior Championship
Played 6 years for Switzerland's top hockey league, winning a championship with the Zurich Lions under former Stanley Cup-winning coach Marc Crawford

Coach Jamee Thompson

Jamee Thompson grew up playing Elite and AAA level hockey. He played in the Mid-American Hockey Conference (MAHC). As a freshman at Gilmour Academy, he was invited to the Hockey Night in Boston Showcase. As a sophomore he transferred to the Padua Bruins and competed for states. Jamee is a proud graduate of John Carroll University. His coaching career began in 2021, as head coach for the 8u Cleveland Sharks. In 2022 he was head coach for a 2014/2015 summer travel team, the Cleveland Kraken. Jamee continued coaching at the 8u level for the Barons/Strongsville program and is now the head coach of the 2015 Cleveland Barons. He is also a coach for the 14U-18U Pre/Post teams, 3 outs academy. He is seasoned in working with various skill levels from beginning to advance to help develop each individual player. Jamee is consistently working to develop Elite players and help each of them progress into their next level.

COACH TOM FRITSCHE

Playing Career

Drafted in 2005 NHL Draft, 47th overall by Colorado Avalanche
Member of US National Development Team from 2002 to 2004
Played for Ohio State University from 2004 to 2008
Played in World Jr. U20 Championships in 2006
Played for Lake Erie Monsters from 2008 to 2011

Coaching Career

2012-2015: Cleveland Lumberjacks
2015-2016: Cleveland Barons Midget Major
2017-2020: Kenston High School
2018: Red Division Coach of the Year
2020- 2022: Cleveland Lumberjacks
2023- Cleveland Barons 2011 Elite Head Coach.

COACH JIM FRITSCHE

Jim has been coaching high-level youth hockey in Cleveland for more than 35 years. Jim’s passion and experience is proven by putting his two sons, Dan and Tom, into professional hockey. Both were second-round NHL draft picks, Tom by Colorado and Dan by Columbus, who played 6 years in the NHL.