CrossIce is leading the way in creating and implementing innovative development curriculums and techniques
CrossIce Developments was established in the summer of 2018 by Owner/Founder Chance Szott, who has been involved in the game of hockey for nearly 19 years. Today the CrossIce team includes Chance himself along with seven other knowledgeable on-ice instructors. With two of our instructors being female, CrossIce is eager to promote and enhance not only the male side of the game, but the female side as well with the tremendous opportunities it provides. The most critical component of any successful team is having the right personnel involved and through careful selection of our team members, they will exceed your expectations on what your athlete or team needs to reach new hockey heights.
Seeing different hockey development companies in Alberta and mainly in the central region, Chance felt that there were limited options for players and teams to turn to for honest transferrable development work. CrossIce is specifically an on-ice development company, being the only one to offer all of the following:
- 1-on-1 sessions & game video analysis
- Small group skills sessions
- Skill and Prep Camps in Central Alberta
- Strength/Conditioning consultation
The entire CrossIce staff has the knowledge, resources and teaching methods that will lead to maximizing your skill set, as well as make you a smarter and more confident hockey player. Our skill development approach is a process focused on the breakdown, acquisition, and progression of fundamental skills, through specialized sessions and innovative teaching techniques. Finally, just as important, we work towards and establish a game transfer to enable you to play a fast-paced offensive style of hockey.
While we would love to guarantee you results, nothing will work unless you do. Along with your full effort and commitment, our promise is to provide the expertise, tailored work, resources and positive learning environment so you the athlete can succeed and achieve fast results.
They call it coaching, but teaching is more accurate. You do not just tell them, you show them the reasons.
-VINCE LOMBARDI
MEET OUR TEAM
OWNER/FOUNDER
Chance Szott
Chance was raised on his family farm just outside of Daysland. He played his minor hockey in Rosalind, Daysland, Camrose, finishing in Edmonton. After his second season of junior hockey in British Columbia, with a positive coaching impact that changed his entire outlook on the game, he was motivated to prevent this from happening to players too late as well.
Chance began scouting in the Alberta Junior Hockey League before he was 20, and the following off-season in 2018 launched CrossIce Developments. He has been a coach at the Jr A level (Olds Grizzlys AJHL), and is currently a player/coach development facilitator for Hockey Alberta for Coach Level 1/2, Checking, Development 1, and Player Development clinics. Hockey Alberta is not the only governing hockey body he works with, recently adding Hockey Northwest Territories as a partner as well. Chance is also a contributor for various coaching websites and platforms throughout North America.
What started out as strength/conditioning work for a hand full of athletes along with some private on-ice work, CrossIce has now evolved into one of the most trusted and sought-after player development companies in Central Alberta. Chance is a student of the game, consistently growing his large hockey network of professional coaches and resources to bring the best he can for his staff and clientele. He believes that just like we expect of our players, we should never be a finished product as a coach. The game is progressing faster than ever, and with a keen eye for detail combined with an outstanding technical knowledge of the game and strong desire to teach and inspire young athletes, Chance sets the standard for what it means to innovate and lead.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Joe Murphy
Joe was raised in the Didsbury area and now resides in Olds with his wife Maggie, and daughter Leah. Joe brings the most storied career to the CrossIce team, having played for his hometown Olds Grizzlys for four seasons and helping capture the Centennial Cup in 1993. Joe went on to attend Denver University where he played for the mens hockey team, leading the team as captain for his final two seasons. Following that Joe played in the American Hockey League for the Rochester Americans, Grand Rapids Griffins, and finally the Binghamton Senators where he had a career year of 50 points. He ended his career with stops in Finland and Germany playing professionally.
On the coaching front, Joe has coached at the Jr A and University levels, and has also been a skills coach for a number of years. He is an excellent communicator with a brilliant mind for the game and calming presence, that players tend to gravitate towards. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the rink and is well-equipped to tailor sessions on the fly to meet the needs of the client. Joe enjoys working with players of all ages, allowing him to stay connected to the game and tap into various development paths as required by the athlete or team.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Brett Nixon
Brett Nixon grew up in Saskatchewan and played hockey throughout the prairie provinces from minor hockey (culminating in the opportunity to play in the Saskatchewan Winter Games) and then onto experiences in various levels of junior and senior hockey.
Brett has been coaching since 2006 and has coaching experience from U7 to U18, Junior B, and Senior AA levels.
Before joining the CrossIce staff, Brett worked for Stettler Minor Hockey as VP of Player Development.
He lives in Stettler with his wife and 3 children where he teaches junior high at William E. Hay and is head of the school Hockey Academy classes.
POWER SKATING COACH
Reanna Jordan
In 2020 we added an integral part to our team in a specialized power skating coach in Reanna. Coming off of five years of university playing experience at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Reanna was driven to help players reach their maximum potential as hockey players. Like the rest of the CrossIce team believes, being an excellent skater is a must-have to do so. Reanna worked with local players in the area prior to joining CrossIce, seeing her passion and strong knowledge in skating mechanics, it was a no brainer to have her on-board.
Reanna grew up playing in the Lacombe Minor Hockey system, moving on to play AAA in Red Deer prior to earning a spot at Mount Royal. Reanna now resides in Ponoka where she is a Grade 1 teacher. Reanna not only is a staple in our camp events around Central Alberta, but also a crucial part in our minor hockey association season development partners, as well as private clients. She prides herself in not only breaking down a players skating skills and progressing appropriately, but allowing the player to then transfer it to game-like scenarios so the transition is seamless. Reanna loves leading young athletes and young people in general, and is also an incredible role model and ambassador for the female game.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Jason Petrie
Jason has been with CrossIce since 2019, being our longest serving team member. Jason’s mission then was to empower others to become the best version of themselves, and he continues to hold true to that and prove it today. Jason’s background includes a Bachelors degree in Education specializing in Physical Education with a focus on biomechanics and human performance. Currently he is a teacher at Lacombe Composite High School where he has been since 2001, and also serves as the track and field coach. Jason is also a personal trainer at Snap Fitness in Lacombe, where he trains individual clients, competitive physique athletes and small groups of athletes.
As far as hockey goes, he has worked with players from the U7 level all the way to high-level college players. Jason operated Breakaway Training hockey schools from 2008-2014, has coached at the AA and AAA levels, and is currently the Director of Scouting for the Olds Grizzlys of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Jason is a big part of the CrossIce team, motivating athletes to be their best and closely analyzing the needs at hand whether it be a player or a team. With a heavy background in recruiting at the Jr A and WHL levels, Jason knows the skills required for a player to translate their game to the next step in their hockey journey.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Hailey Hoogkamp
Hailey was born and raised in Lacombe where she began her hockey playing days with the Rockets minor hockey association. She had her first opportunity to play with other high level female players at the 2016 Winter Games as an under-aged player. From there she continued to move on with Team Alberta programs, also playing at the Alberta Challenge Cup in 2017 and the Alberta Winter Games in 2018. During those years Hailey played U15 Elite, U18 Elite, and U18 AAA in Red Deer.
Hailey now attends Olds College and plays for the womens hockey team, the Broncos. Her first season in 2021/2022, she not only lead the league in goals but also claimed Rookie of the Year for the entire ACAC womens hockey league. Hailey returns to Olds College for the 2022/23 season for her final year, to complete her Business Management diploma. Hailey enjoys giving great coaching back to local athletes, and is driven to pursue hockey coaching as her long-term career.