JERE VÄISÄNEN #51 (FIN)
NHA seasons 2018-2020
I have played hockey in Finland and USA prior to my time with the NHA. I was skeptical about the level of play in Norway and did not know much about NHA. I’m extremely happy that I choose NHA, It helped me develop into a better player and person. My goal and dream has always been to play North American junior hockey, NCAA D1, and eventually professional hockey. I feel like NHA truly gave me the missing tools and prepared me well both on and off the ice for the next level. I was extremely fortunate to tender (sign) with the Amarillo Bulls in the NAHL right after my time in NHA. I managed to play a solid season, and committed to play NCAA division 1 hockey at Bemidji State University, which is a dream come true. I feel like NHA is a great place for motivated and hard working players to develop and become better people. I couldn’t be happier with my time at NHA and my development. THANK YOU NHA and Sam Liebkind for all your help!
20/21: NAHL Amarillo Bulls (USA)
21/22: Bemidji State University NCAA D1 (USA)
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PAUL SCHMID #97 (AUT)
NHA seasons 2017-2020
My years with the Nordic Hockey Academy have shaped me in a major way in multiple different areas of my life. Firstly, it was an outstanding environment for me as a hockey player to develop and elevate my game from day to day. Incredibly professional coaching conditions with a lot of individual emphasis is what made that possible and is also what the staff of the NHA take so much pride in. This makes up a big reason for the results I have had and have been blessed to experience, which include a U20 World championship gold medal for my home country Austria and taking the next step in my hockey career in the US.
On a different note, my time with the NHA has impacted my life as a whole just as much, if not more. Being taught the mental side of the game and learning about other parts of life away from hockey helped me grow from a 17 year old boy into a young man at the age of 20 upon graduation.
The Academy all in all is not only about developing great hockey payers, but also great human beings, and that, in my opinion, is a very important aspect in the process of shaping young aspiring athletes to go on and have amazing careers, if it is in hockey or any other profession they might want to pursue.
-Thank you for everything NHA!
20/21: NAHL Amarillo Bulls (USA)
21/22: St. Thomas University NCAA D1 (USA)
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RAIS FRANCIS #25 (GBR)
NHA season 2020-2021
Previously to my time in NHA, I was fortunate to experience North American Academy hockey, NAHL and USHL and therefore benefitted alot to join NHA in Europe. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at NHA , the academy was filled with dedicated and motivated players and coaches all with the collective goal of development both on and off the ice. The individual player instruction and detail along with the abundance of ice time the program provided me with each and every day was extremely beneficial to my game and I feel resulted in accelerated progression for me personally. I feel NHA definitely helped me along my journey to earning an opportunity to play college hockey in the USA and I would like to thank Sam and all of my coaches and teammates at NHA for providing me with such a great experience.
21/22: Lebanon Valley College NCAA DIII (USA)
MATTEO MITROVIC #44 (AUT)
NHA seasons 2018-2022
I have played hockey in Austria before my time with the NHA. I was 15 years old when I joined the NHA program in Norway and moved to Ferlach, Austria for my final NHA season 2021-2022. My goal has always been to be as good ice hockey player as I possibly can. During my time with the NHA I developed extremely both on and off the ice and was able to experience hockey on a very high international level. My four years in the NHA received an amazing closure and a dream come true to me for playing the World Juniors in Edmonton in 2022. Im very grateful and proud to be an NHA Alumni and excited for my next steps in my hockey career.
22/23: NCDC Jr. Rangers (USA)
JANICK WERNICKE #64 (AUT)
NHA seasons 2018-2022
I have played hockey in Austria and Slovakia before my time with the NHA. I was only 14 years old when I moved away from home to join the Nordic Hockey Academy. After my full four (4) years in the program I can truly see how I have developed and become who I am today. My four years in the Nordic Hockey Academy have simply been the best in my life. I have made friendships that will last forever, and have developed as person and a hockey player. It has shown me what I am capable of, and opened doors for my future career. I was also fortunate enough to be selected to the Austrian U20 World Junior team in Edmonton which really finalized my time perfectly in the NHA.
Im very grateful and proud to be an NHA Alumni and continuing the valuable knowledge I have received.
22/23: NCDC New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (USA)
MAKS BUKOVEC #13 (SLO)
NHA season 2021-2022
I have played hockey in Slovenia and Canada before my time with the NHA. I returned back home to Slovenia after my three years of high school Academy hockey in Canada and didnt know what to do next. Im extremely glad that NHA found me and I was able to join their Academy program in Ferlach, Austria for the season 2021-2022. I felt warmly welcome from my first day on at the Academy and was able to truly enjoy my hockey on another level which meant a lot to me. During my season with the NHA I learned so much both on and off the ice and my performance developed week by week. For a short time I was the top scorer in the Austrian U20 league and was also nominated to play world Championships for the Slovenian U20 team (D1B) where we won the Silver medal. Im very grateful and proud to be an NHA Alumni.
22/23: NCDC W/B Scranton Knights (USA)
HÅKON BRÅTHEN #88 (NOR)
NHA seasons 2017-2022
I have played hockey in my hometown Skien, Norway all my child-hood before my time with the NHA. I was 15 years old when I joined the NHA program in Norway and after 4 seasons moved to Ferlach, Austria for my final NHA junior season 2021-2022. I was able to develop and experience high level international hockey during my time in the NHA. In addition to U18-U20 domestic league, I was fortunate to travel three times to the USA with the NHA to play tournaments in (Lake Placid, Boston and Nashville) as well as against other top European teams. Im very grateful and proud to be an NHA Alumni and represent the legacy further in my life.
22/23: Norwegian Division 1 Senior League
GAUTE ÖVERÅS #23 (NOR)
NHA seasons 2018-2022
I have played hockey in my hometown Skien, Norway all my child-hood before my time with the NHA. I was 16 years old when I joined the NHA program in Norway and after 3 seasons moved to Ferlach, Austria for my final NHA junior season 2021-2022. Im extremely lucky and honored for experiencing all the great times with the NHA both on and off the ice. I made life-long friends from all over the world and even learned new languages. During my time with the NHA I learned more about the North American junior hockey and College hockey (NCAA) which really motivated me to that path. Im super excited to proceed my career in the United States. THANK YOU NHA.
One and NHA- always an NHA.
22/23: EHL Worcester Jr. Railers (USA)
LEEVI KINNUNEN #86 (FIN)
NHA seasons 2019-2022
I have played hockey in my hometown Espoo, Finland all my child-hood before my time with the NHA. I was 17 years old when I joined the NHA program in Norway and after 2 seasons moved to Ferlach, Austria for my final NHA junior season 2021-2022. A former NHA students from Finland (Jere Väisänen) inspired me to try the same development path and therefore started with the NHA. After three seasons I was fortunate enough to be (tendered) to the Connecticut Jr. Rangers in the NCDC (Tier II) Junior league in the USA. Im super excited to proceed my career in the United States. NHA is definitely the right place for a 16-20 year old player who wish to experience high level international hockey and open doors for future career. KIITOS NHA.
22/23: NCDC Jr. Rangers (USA)