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 and then transferred to Padua Fransiscan high school. Jamee is a proud graduate of John Carroll University.

Coaching career

Coaching career began at the 8U level in 2019 with the Cleveland Sharks.
For the past two seasons he was head coach for the Cleveland Barons 2015 team.
Pre/Post 14U-18U working with Cleveland area high School players.
CCM Selects spring/summer teams.
Worked side by side professional skating coach Robby Glantz.

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 JOE KISH

Coach Joe grew up playing youth and high school hockey in the Cleveland area. Since Joe left playing hockey in 2007 he has continuously been involved in coaching around the Cleveland area for programs such as Parma Flyers, Cleveland jr lumberjacks, Cleveland Avengers and Team Ohio. Joe is currently a skills coach and Tournament team coach with Fritsche’s Hockey Academy as well as a Midwest Scout for the Sheridan Hawks of the NA3HL.

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.