Our People

Coach Kristen has been an integral part of the Frozen Summer Academy since the day we opened our doors. As a former collegiate hockey player turned certified yoga instructor, she brings a unique combination of firsthand hockey experience and expert knowledge of movement, flexibility, and recovery. Her ability to tailor each session specifically to the needs of hockey players makes her the perfect fit for our program.

Beyond her expertise, Kristen is an incredible person whose positive energy and genuine care for every athlete shine through in everything she does. Her classes are consistently one of the highlights of the week, and the kids absolutely love learning from her. She creates an environment that is fun, engaging, and challenging while helping our athletes improve their mobility, balance, and overall performance. Kristen is the definition of genuine, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of the Frozen Summer Academy family.

SOMA Performance & Fitness has been a valued partner of Frozen Summer Academy from the very beginning and has also played a key role in our signature spring program, Hull Hockey Hitmen. Their commitment to developing athletes through high-quality off-ice training has made a tremendous impact on our players. Year after year, we receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from athletes and families about the strength, conditioning, and confidence our players gain through their program. Bringing SOMA back each year is an easy decision because of the exceptional experience they consistently provide.

SOMA is owned by Brandon Kress, an outstanding person whose passion for helping others is evident in everything he does. His genuine care for athletes, dedication to their development, and commitment to excellence have shaped a culture that extends throughout the entire SOMA team. Brandon and his staff create an environment that challenges, motivates, and supports every athlete, helping them become stronger both physically and mentally. We are incredibly grateful to have SOMA Performance & Fitness as our trusted off-ice training partner and an important part of the Frozen Summer Academy family.

Coach Rebecca of Brightside Fitness joined the Frozen Summer Academy for the first time in 2026, and it didn't take long for us to realize she was a perfect fit. After just one session, we knew we wanted her to be a permanent part of the FSA experience for years to come.

Rebecca brings a truly unique skill set to our program through her off-ice team-building and leadership activities. Every session is thoughtfully designed to keep athletes engaged, challenged, and working together in meaningful ways. Her activities go far beyond simple games. They build communication, trust, problem-solving, and camaraderie, creating lessons that extend well beyond the rink. Watching our athletes grow as teammates through her programming was one of the highlights of the summer.

Although the athletes spent two sessions each week with Coach Rebecca, they were constantly asking for more. That enthusiasm speaks volumes about the environment she creates. Her energy is contagious, her creativity is unmatched, and her passion for helping kids have meaningful, purposeful fun shines through in every interaction. The athletes connected with her immediately because they could tell how much she genuinely cared about them. Simply put, Coach Rebecca became one of the most beloved parts of the Frozen Summer Academy experience, and we couldn't be more excited to have her as part of our team.

Like Coach Rebecca, Coach Art Burns joined the Frozen Summer Academy for the first time in 2026. Just like Rebecca, it only took one session for us to know he needed to be a part of the FSA team and beyond! His ability to connect with athletes and challenge the way they think made an immediate impact. The kids absolutely loved his one-of-a-kind, amazing personality which made every single class each week one to look forward to.

In recent years, the Frozen Summer Academy had shifted its focus beyond developing hockey players...we're committed to developing people. A major part of that evolution has been helping our athletes understand the power of mindset and discover who they are through identifying and living by their core values. The results have been remarkable. In one summer alone, nine athletes advanced from B to AA hockey, and while skill development certainly played a role, we believe their growth in confidence, self-awareness, and mental resilience was a major driving force behind that success.

We wanted to continue building on that foundation, and Coach Art was the perfect person to help us do it. Through his sessions, he introduced our athletes to a deeper level of self-awareness, intentional thinking, and personal growth. His ability to engage kids, ask meaningful questions, and encourage them to think differently resonated throughout the program. The athletes didn't just listen—they embraced his message and began applying it both on and off the ice.

Coach Art's impact extends far beyond hockey. He equips our athletes with tools they'll carry into school, sports, relationships, and life, making him an invaluable part of the Frozen Summer Academy experience.