THREE (3) MEDALS IN FOUR (4) YEARS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. SEASON 2024-2025 WAS A BLAST.
Nordic Hockey Academy U18 team had a very solid performance through out the season 2024-2025. After winning the first phase of the league (14 games) our U18 team played high intense games in the top division and qualified to the Play Offs in the first year in the U18 league as a new team. Quarterfinals was a local derby against the legendary KAC (last year Silver medalist) and our boys were able to win the series 2-0. Semi-Finals against the Hungarian UTE was also a very exciting series that ended up in a 3-1 victory after penalty shots for us. Finals was against the defending champions (Red Bull Salzburg) which we respectfully lost but brought the Silver medal home in our first year in the U18 league. Looking forward for more great memories and results with our Nordic players.
NINE (9) YEARS OF NORDIC HOCKEY ACADEMY -HUNDREDS OF PLAYERS- FANTASTIC RESULTS- LIFE LONG FRIENDSHIPS AND MEMORIES
Nordic Hockey Academy was established in 2017 and has developed hundreds of players from all over the world since then. Dozens of players have moved up in their hockey careers to North American leagues (NCDC, NAHL, USHL, NCAA) as well as European Professional hockey leagues (Hungary, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Slovenia and so on). Over 45 NHA players have been selected to represent their country for their national teams including the best of the best, in World Juniors and Hlinka Gretzky cup. Nordic Management (Sam & Phil) are deeply privileged and honored to work with such enthusiastic, loyal and committed players and families who have been part of the NHA Family. We are also very lucky and glad to have a strong and genuine NHA Alumni program where our alumni students are strongly involved and actively part of our concept. Looking forward to many more great NHA years with You.
SEASON 2024-2025 NORDIC HOCKEY ACADEMY U20 TEAM KEEPS PUSHING TOWARDS THE TOP
Nordic Hockey Academy U20 team starts their fourth (4th) executive year in the Austrian/Hungarian league this year. First year ended in a very exiting semi-final series against the Red Bull Salzburg and year later in a tight final series again against the defending champion, Red Bull Salzburg. Last year 2023-2024 we were finally able to grab the Medal from Red Bull which we will never forget. This year the goal is very clear, we are only missing the brightest color medal in our hall of fame, and the hunt is on. Our U20 program has developed players very well and alone last year five (5) NHA players were drafted/selected to play in the United States junior leagues ( NAHL, NCDC etc). Looking forward to another fantastic season with our U20 team.
SEASON 2024-2025 NEW NORDIC HOCKEY ACADEMY U18 TEAM IS MAKING NAME FOR ITSELF
Last season 2023-2024 Nordic Hockey Academy established a brand new U17 team which remarkably finished second in the league, just one point behind the Red Bull Salzburg. This group of boys developed and grew into a new U18 team for this season. Nordic Hockey Academy U18 team has surprised everyone by dominating the first half of the regular season (15 games (13/2 victories)) and finishing first in the league. There are 15 national team players ( U16-U18) in our current U18 roster and one player of the NHA U18 team was historically selected to play in the legendary Hlinka & Gretzky Cup in Canada earlier this year.
Our U18 team is performing very well in the league among the other top teams in the country and pushing towards the Play Off rankings in its first year in the league.
LEO CABULIS TO NAHL
Leo Cabulis is the only NHA Alumni player who played a full five (5) seasons in our program. Hundreds of great memories and tons of work developed Leo from a young boy to an international ice hockey player who was selected to the Latvian U20 national team and later drafted to the NAHL. Leo is now playing against his friend Elvis Laskovs :D. Congratulations Leo.
JANICK WERNICKE TO ICE LEAGUE
Janick Wernicke was only 14 years old when he moved away from home to join the Nordic Hockey Academy program. After three full seasons in the NHA, Janick was selected to join the Austrian U20 national team program and later moved to United States to play junior hockey. For the last two seasons Janick is playing in the Austrian senior professional league ICE League for the Voralberg Pioneers . Congratulations Janick.
PAUL SCHMID & MATTEO MITROVIC (ALPS LEAGUE)
Paul Schmid (born in 2000) was the first player ever to join the Nordic Hockey Academy program in 2017. After three seasons in the program, Paul was selected to the Austrian U20 national team where he/they won the Gold medal and got promoted to the highest World Junior level. After few years in the United States (NAHL and then NCAA)- Paul is now the top scorer in the ALPS league. Matteo Mitrovic also played four seasos in the NHA and was selected to the Austrian U20 national team and world Juniors which after Matteo also played in USA juniors after joining the Kitzbuhl ALPS Team. Congratulations Paul & Matteo.
BRONZE MEDAL
OUR 17 ACADEMY TEAM HAD A FANTASTIC SEASON (23-24) AS A NEW TEAM IN THE LEAGUE
Nordic Hockey Academy U17 team played their first season in the league in season 2023-2024. The results were very positive and hard quality work paid off well. Team finished 2nd place, just one point behind Red Bull after the regular season. Play Offs series were a success and ended up to a very exciting and high level Bronze finals against Red Bull Salzburg.
OUR U20 TEAM FINALLY GOT IT :D
The season 2023-2024 was a historical year for our Academy in many ways. Firstly, our U20 team qualified again (for the 3rd year in a row) to the Play Offs. After the first phase (14 games), team finished 1st in the league with impressive results. Five year NHA student, Leo Cabulis (Latvia) ended up as the top scorer in the whole league. Secondly, our new U17 team had a fantastic season finishing second in the league and playing Bronze Finals against the Red Bull Salzburg. Thirdly, our U20 also played the Bronze Finals against the Red Bull Salzburg and after two very intensive games, we got the medals. The Bronze finals this year was in fact the "actual Final" between the two most successful organizations in the league. Always fun to win a medal and especially fun to do that against the Red Bull.
U20 QUARTER FINALS STARTED WITH A TWO EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING AND HIGH INTENSITY GAMES AWAY AGAINST VILLACH AND BOTH ENDED TO OUR VICTORY.
Nordic Hockey Academy U20 team won the preliminary round (Phase 1) in the league and went to the November break in the pole position. Second phase of the league after Christmas break was tight and full of high quality games. NHA team finished 5th and was well in the Play Off ranking. After winning EV VSV Villach twice in the QF "best of three series"- team proceeded to the Semi-Finals which start next week.
PLAY-OFFS ARE THE GOAL AND EXCITEMENT THAT EACH AND EVERY HOCKEY PLAYER AND SERIOUS ATHLETE IS WORKING THE WHOLE SEASON FOR
For our new U17 Academy team, this season has been a fantastic show off. Team is leading the league and has two of its players leading the league points in the country. That said, team is qualified for the Play-Offs with a home advantage which alone is a remarkable record and extremely valuable learning experience for all our players. Play-Off games are a rare luxury that every player wish for but too few ever get to experience. Our boys are very privileged and excited for an exciting Play-Off series.
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SEASON 2023-2024 NORDIC HOCKEY ACADEMY U20 TEAM REPRESENTS AN INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FROM THIRTEEN (13) DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES
Nordic Hockey Academy U20 team starts their third (3rd) year in the Austrian league this year. First year ended in a very exiting semi-final series and previous year in a tight final series against the defending champion, RedBulls Salzburg. Many new players came into the team this year and increased the amount of nationalities in the team which is fantastic.
SEASON 2023-2024 NEW NORDIC HOCKEY ACADEMY U17 TEAM REPRESENTS AN INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FROM TEN (10) DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES
Nordic Hockey Academy U17 team is a brand new program for us and a great honor and privilege to operate. Nearly 20 new U17 players started in Ferlach in August from ten different nationalities. A very unique and talented group of players that only groom to become better together the more time they spend time together.
NORDIC HOCKEY ACADEMY + FERLACH CITY = A TRUE HOCKEY TOWN
Nordic Hockey Academy has shown its international quality and high end standards through out the years and also has grown well into the hearts of the local community in our "hockey town"Â Ferlach and Carinthia.
Ice hockey has changed dramatically and gained a much more professional image in Ferlach and the southern coast of Austria since the NHA arrived into town. However, we (NHA) would have not been able to be where we are today without the fantastic support of our local community, loyal investors, enthusiastic partners and last but not least, our beloved city Mayor Mr. Ingo Appé. VIELEN DANK
SEASON 2023-2024 HAS FINALLY STARTED
Nordic Hockey Academy has had a great summer break after a successful season and arrived back to Ferlach with two full teams for this season. A new U17 NHA team will play in the Austrian league and the U20 NHA team will defend the "vizemeister" title and going for the Meister title this year in an international league with Austrian and Hungarian teams.
WHAT A TEAM- WHAT A STORY- SILVER MEDAL (VIZEMEISTER)
Back to back seasons in the Austrian U20 league, NHA U20 has qualified 2nd in the country and Play-Offs in both seasons. Both Play-Off series ended against the defending Champions, Red Bull Salzburg. Season 2021-2022 in 5th (last) Semi-Final series and this year in Finals against Red Bull. Congratulations to the Red Bull Salzburg organization and looking forward to challenging the defending Champions again next Spring.
2022-2023 AUSTRIAN U20 FINALS (NHA VS RED BULL)
For two executive seasons in the Austrian U20 Elite league, both Nordic Hockey Academy and Red Bull Salzburg has proven its high standards in their hockey programs and therefore been competing for the 1st and 2nd ranking in the country. NHA won 3/5 regular season games against the Red Bull Salzburg this year and Final series were also very close and intense to the last minute.
SEMI-FINAL SERIES AGAINST THE VIENNA CAPITALS (3-2 FOR THE NHA)
After a very exciting and intensive "best of five" Semi-Final series against the Vienna Capitals ended to a 3-2 victory to the Nordic Hockey Academy. All five games were extremely entertaining and full of excitement (1-2 L, 5-3 W, 2-3 W, 6-3 L and 3-0 W).
SEMI-FINALS STARTED WITH A TWO EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING AND HIGH INTENSITY GAMES HOME IN FERLACH AND THE GAME SERIES IS NOW 1-1 AGAINST THE VIENNA CAPITALS.
Nordic Hockey Academy finished second in the first phase (after 16 games) just behind Vienna Capitals and after the second phase (16 games) the Academy team was in the pole position for the Play-Offs. After winning HC Innsbruck twice in the "best of three series"- team proceeded to the Semi-Finals and are battling for the "best of five series" against the Vienna Capitals.
PLAY-OFFS ARE THE GOAL AND EXCITEMENT THAT EACH AND EVERY HOCKEY PLAYER AND SERIOUS ATHLETE IS WORKING THE WHOLE SEASON FOR
Two seasons in the Austrian league and two times the Academy has qualified for the Play-Offs with a home advantage which alone is a remarkable record and extremely valuable learning experience for all our players. Play-Off games are a rare luxury that every player wish for but too few ever get to experience. Our boys are very privileged and excited for an exciting Play-Off series.
SIX (6) GAMES STILL LEFT IN THE REGULAR SEASON- TEAM IS WELL PREPARED AND MOTIVATED FOR THE PLAY-OFFS PERIOD
The Austrian U20 league was divided into two separate divisions (upper 5 teams and lower 4 teams) after the first 16 regular season games (where NHA ended second in the league). In the upper 5 division NHA has continued a very solid performance. With most victories, most goals scored, best +/- , best penalty kill in the league and top two in powerplay in the country, motivates us well towards the last six regular season games and then Play Off season.  GO NHA!!!
ENORMOUS INTEREST WORLD-WIDE FROM NEW RECRUITS AND CANDIDATES TO START IN THE NHA IN SEASON 2023-2024
While Play-Off season is soon starting, recruiting for the upcoming season 2023-2024 is in full speed. Numerous amount of players world-wide has shown interest towards Nordic Hockey Academy which makes us very proud and honored as an organization. Nordic Hockey Academy has a strong world-wide trademark as a high quality international Academy program and therefore welcomes players and families from all over the world to its program. Contact us and take the next step i
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023
1,5 seasons have gone extremely fast in Ferlach. Team qualified second in the league and made the Semi-Finals (vs Redbull) in the first year in the league and had 4 players playing World U20 Championships (2021-2022). After season ended, 6Â players left to North American Junior leagues and current season couldnt start any better as it did. Team was second after round robin with best Power Play % and fair play % in the league and now went to Christmas break as the 1st team in the league and 3 players are playing U20 World Championships. Merry Xmas and Happy New year 2023!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NATIONAL TEAM NOMINATIONS
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There has been over 25 national team players from the NHA Academy representing their national teams during the past 5 years. Currently Elvis Laskovs and Leo Cabulis for (U20 Latvian) team and Martin Crepinsek (U18 Slovenian) and Matej Petretic (U20 Slovenian) teams. Congratulations for being nominated and selected and enjoy the opportunity.
OPEN REGISTRATION FOR THE TRY OUTS FOR SEASON 2023-2024
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Now you have your chance to experience and feel how Nordic Hockey Academy really works behind the scenes. Send us an email to reserve your spot in the January try out for season 2023-2024. Limited amount of participants will be approved to the event. See you in Ferlach in January!
THE AUSTRIAN U20 LEAGUE STANDING BEFORE NOVEMBER NATIONAL TEAM BREAK
First part of the season is now completed with a solid performance of the Academy team. With most goals scored and best powerplay in the league, least penalized (most fair-play) team and top three in penalty kill in the league will give us a well deserved "break" from league games until the second part starts in one week.
SEASON 2022-2023 NORDIC HOCKEY ACADEMY TEAM REPRESENTS AN INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FROM EIGHT (8) DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES
Nordic Hockey Academy program is very international and has had the advantage and pleasure of having players and coaches from 20 different countries and nationalities since its begin. The large variety in cultural experience and knowledge truly develops the Academy players in a unique setting. All our players learn how to be an import in a team as well as how to communicate and understand multicultural hockey both on and off the ice which we believe is the future in high level modern hockey.
AUSTRIAN U20 LEAGUE PROVIDES HIGH LEVEL COMPETITION IN A WELL STRUCTURED LEAGUE AND PROFESSIONAL ARENA FACILITIES
Austrian hockey has developed well in the last few years with increasing amount of teams in the leagues as well as a very attractive and professional senior leagues. Austrian national teams have also performed better internationally and therefore men´s senior team and U20 team are competing in the highest division in the IIHF World Championships. Additionally two Austrian players were drafted to the NHL in 2022 draft.
PLACING PLAYERS AFTER THEIR TIME IN THE ACADEMY IS A PRIORITY FOR US
Nordic Hockey Academy is not just a top rated development platform for hockey players but also internationally a well respected organization to place players also after their time in the Academy. Since 2017 when Nordic Hockey Academy was established, there has been nearly 20 players who have been selected and recruited to the North American Junior and College leagues and dozen has worked their way up to senior leagues in Europe.
PROUD AND HONORED TO HAVE OUR BOYS PLAYING THE WORLD JUNIORS
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The first Academy players who have played the highest U20 level World Junior Championships so far.  Congratulations Matteo Mitrovic and Janick Wernicke for the historical nomination and impressive performance at the highest U20 hockey level in the world.
CONGRATULATIONS FOR GRADUATING FROM THE ACADEMY AND GOOD LUCK FURTHER
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THANK YOU for the NHA Alumni players (from left: Maks Bukovec, Matteo Mitrovic, Janick Wernicke, Andreas Imingen, Gaute Överås, Tobias Falkeid and Håkon Bråthen and Leevi Kinnunen) for your priceless efforts, example and leadership during your time in the program. NHA wish you only the best for the future steps in your career.
Since Nordic Hockey Academy was established in 2017 there has been over 120 athletes from 17 different countries playing for the Academy program. We are very proud that a total of 16 academy players have represented their home counties  in national team (NOR, SVK, HUN, LAT, AUT, GBR, SPA) activities including World Championships. It is very important to our Academy that athletes are not just developing within the sport but also open possibilities for further career both on and off the ice.
