NLPD Academy - HARTLAND, MI
Building Better Players. Shaping Better People.
Our Mission
Next Level Player Development (NLPD) at the Hartland Ice House is dedicated to developing complete, intelligent, and resilient hockey players through elite on-ice instruction, advanced hockey IQ education, and an integrated academic-athletic in person teaching while using state of the art online school education model, with Jake Crespi as Head Instructor/Owner of NLPD in Hartland.
Our mission is to deliver world-class player development by combining high-performance, in-person training—focused on game-based decision-making—that reinforces hockey concepts and habits at Hartland Ice House, located in Hartland Michigan.
In partnership with Oxford Community Schools, Next Level Player Development provides student-athletes the opportunity to pursue elite hockey development while maintaining academic excellence, with in-person teachers utilizing state of the art online school programs, preparing them for success at their local organization, junior, collegiate, and professional levels—and in life.
Through our programming, Next Level Player Development enhances the value of the student-athlete experience, strengthens the local hockey ecosystem, and generates sustainable development for hockey players across Livingston County and all of Michigan.
Coming Fall 2026
Grades 6-12
Oxford Community Schools- Oxford Virtual Academy
About Oxford Virtual Academy
Oxford Virtual Academy takes the distance out of distance learning by working in partnership with families to provide rigorous academic preparation that is teacher mentored, parent directed and customized to meet the needs of students from all academic backgrounds. OVA continues to provide improved student learning and maintain positive family relationships based on trust and a shared belief that the student always comes first.
Oxford Virtual Academy provides an on-site teaching staff to help guide our student athletes through a flexible schedule that ensure each student's academic needs are fully met. With NCAA approved courses, our student athletes will meet all graduation requirements and leave NLPD Academy with a highly accredited diploma.
Development Pillars
Next Level Player Development is built on a professional, NHL-informed framework designed to develop adaptable, confident, and complete players. All on-ice instruction, classroom learning, and online education align with the following pillars:
Elite Edgework and Stride Efficiency
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Advanced edgework, balance, and agility
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Stride mechanics emphasizing power, efficiency, and speed
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Acceleration, deceleration, transitions, and evasive movement
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Position-specific skating demands
Puck Skills and Offensive Execution
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Puck control under pressure and in traffic
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Shooting mechanics, deception, and scoring habits
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Offensive zone entries, puck support, spacing, and timing
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Skill execution at true game pace
Hockey IQ & Game Understanding
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Reading pressure and making real-time decisions
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Situational awareness (time, score, space, opponent tendencies)
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Systems understanding and tactical concepts
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Video analysis and virtual learning through our online platform
Defensive Awareness & Accoundability
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Angles, gap control, stick positioning, and body positioning
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Defensive zone coverage and transition defense
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Backchecking habits and off-puck responsibility
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Defensive reliability without limiting offensive creativity
Professional Habits & Player Identity
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Consistency, compete level, and preparation
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Mental resilience and confidence development
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Understanding individual strengths, roles, and long-term pathways
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Leadership, accountability, and team-first mindset
Jake Crespi
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2017 Michigan Mr. Hockey
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2 seasons in USHL with Tri-City Storm
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4 Seasons Division I with Michigan Tech University
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Player Development Coach and Creator of Path2Performance Hockey
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Assistant Coach with Biggby U16 & U18 AAA
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Owner and Head Instructor of NLPD Academy Hartland
Board of Advisors/Consultants
Coaching Staff
Carey Krug
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NHL Player Development Coach with CBJ
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AHL Assistant Coach with Cleveland Monsters
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USNTDP Development Coach
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Creator of NLPD
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Development Coach for Jack Eichel, Torey Krug, Auston Matthews, Adam Fox, and many more
Tony Granato
Tony is a former NHL Player and coach, USA Olympic Coach, as well as a legendary NCAA coach at the University of Wisconsin. Tony is a mental health ambassador who has created a new series called "This Fight for Life". Tony will be an incredible resource for our student-athletes as not only a hockey mind, but as a mental health advocate with a large wealth of knowledge.
Torey Krug
Torey is an elite NHL player who was spent time with the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues. He is a former Hobey Baker Finalist and Sophomore captain at Michigan State University. Torey is a great resource to the players and coaching staff to help guide the on-ice development process for our coaches and student-athletes.
Al Iafrate
Al is a legendary NHL defenseman who has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, and San Jose Sharks. Al has a deep understanding of what it takes to reach the highest levels of hockey and is a true ambassador of the game.
Pat Peake
Pat is a former NHL player with the Washington Capitals and a legendary coach around the Detroit Area. He has a deep understanding of the development for young hockey players and has an incredible track record of advancing players to the highest levels.
Mark Toof
Mark is a world class NHLPA Certified Agent and advisor to many NHL players, as well as junior and college level players. Mark has a great sense of what a player's development should be in order to reach the next levels of hockey and is a great resource to guide players along through their process.
Dr. Gino Sessa
Dr. Sessa is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist who can help to guide our student athletes through any injuries, as well as provide insight into injury prevention methods. He will help our student-athletes to have a deeper understanding of how to prepare their bodies for competition, as well as act as a consultant on any injuries.
Brad Cutter
Brad is a world class business development consultant. Brad is a wonderful resource for the student-athletes to help teach different business strategies and guide our students through various projects that we will be implementing throughout the school year. Brad will help to teach valuable lessons related to the real world and give our student-athletes an edge whether they continue careers in hockey or in the business world.
Brandon Hawkins
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4 Seasons Division I with Bowling Green and Northeastern University
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2 Time ECHL All-Star
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Captain of ECHL Toldeo Walleye
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Elite Shooting and Goal Scoring Coach
Board of Advisors/Consultants
Tony Granato
Tony is a former NHL Player and coach, USA Olympic Coach, as well as a legendary NCAA coach at the University of Wisconsin. Tony is a mental health ambassador who has created a new series called "This Fight for Life". Tony will be an incredible resource for our student-athletes as not only a hockey mind, but as a mental health advocate with a large wealth of knowledge.
Torey Krug
Torey is an elite NHL player who was spent time with the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues. He is a former Hobey Baker Finalist and Sophomore captain at Michigan State University. Torey is a great resource to the players and coaching staff to help guide the on-ice development process for our coaches and student-athletes.
Al Iafrate
Al is a legendary NHL defenseman who has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, and San Jose Sharks. Al has a deep understanding of what it takes to reach the highest levels of hockey and is a true ambassador of the game.
Pat Peake
Pat is a former NHL player with the Washington Capitals and a legendary coach around the Detroit Area. He has a deep understanding of the development for young hockey players and has an incredible track record of advancing players to the highest levels.
Mark Toof
Mark is a world class NHLPA Certified Agent and advisor to many NHL players, as well as junior and college level players. Mark has a great sense of what a player's development should be in order to reach the next levels of hockey and is a great resource to guide players along through their process.
Dr. Gino Sessa
Dr. Sessa is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist who can help to guide our student athletes through any injuries, as well as provide insight into injury prevention methods. He will help our student-athletes to have a deeper understanding of how to prepare their bodies for competition, as well as act as a consultant on any injuries.
Brad Cutter
Brad is a world class business development consultant. Brad is a wonderful resource for the student-athletes to help teach different business strategies and guide our students through various projects that we will be implementing throughout the school year. Brad will help to teach valuable lessons related to the real world and give our student-athletes an edge whether they continue careers in hockey or in the business world.
7-7:30 AM
8:00-9:20 AM
9:35-11:45 AM
11:45-12:15 PM
12:30-1:00 PM
1:00-3:30 PM
3:30 PM
Arrival
On-Ice
Class
Lunch
Video/Activity
Class
Departure
High Schoolers
Monday-Thursday Schedule, Friday off FOR TRAVEL/home study
20+ School Hours, 10 Hours of Hockey Related Development Per Week
Middle Schoolers
7-7:30 AM
8:00-9:15 AM
9:30-11:00 AM
11:15-11:45 PM
11:45-1:00 PM
1:00-1:30 PM
1:30-3:30 PM
3:30 PM
Arrival
Class
On-Ice
Lunch
Class
Video/Activity
Class
Departure
Daily Schedule Overview
At NLPD Academy, we prioritize our student-athletes and their families need for flexibility. With constant travel for hockey, and the eventual departure for junior hockey or college, we want to maximize family time. By opening up Fridays to home study, with available online teachers and resources, our student-athletes can spend more time with family while continuing to complete their academic requirements.