Eagle River Summer Hockey School
For five decades, the ERRA has been a cornerstone of exceptional hockey instruction and development in the Midwest. Join us in celebrating the 50-year legacy of Eagle River Summer Hockey School, a valued summer tradition in the Northwoods since 1974.
Get Elevated
Unleash Excellence with the Power of Collaboration: We're beyond excited to continue the exciting partnership between Eagle River Hockey School and the North American Hockey League's prestigious Wisconsin Windigo. This dynamic collaboration is set to unlock your child's potential.
For generations, Northern Wisconsin hockey families have carried the tradition of excellence that comes with the Eagle River Hockey School. Now, in partnership with Wisconsin Windigo, that legacy is evolving to bring your young skater an even more exceptional training opportunity.
The North American Hockey League is renowned for creating pathways to success for aspiring young skaters across the nation. Through our partnership with Wisconsin Windigo, your child will be exposed to the fast-paced style and cutting-edge training that has propelled players to greatness.
The Windigo's coaching staff and leadership will infuse our program with modern teaching techniques, helping players tap into their full potential. Our coaching staff this summer will include a network of accomplished junior, college, and professional players and coaches.
What to Expect:
- Immersive coaching from Windigo's experienced professionals
- Modern teaching techniques for accelerated player development
- Team-based practices and positional strategies
- Off-ice training to enhance overall performance
- A direct pathway to realizing your child's hockey dreams
- Goalie coach, dryland training and video sessions for Complete Training & older
Coaching Staff
One of the standout highlights of our summer hockey school is its exceptional coaching staff, loaded with seasoned professionals dedicated to nurturing the next generation of hockey athletes. Included in this lineup is the new head coach of the Wisconsin Windigo, John Mitchell, who hails from Neenah, WI, and played four seasons of NCAA D-I hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While with the Badgers, Mitchell brought home the NCAA National Championship in 2006 and was the runner-up at the 2010 National Championships. He was named the Otto Breitenbach Most Improved Player of the Year for his play during the 2009-2010 season. Mitchell continued his playing career after college, signing an NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He played 207 games over four seasons in the AHL, with his final season as a pro split between the EIHL and ECHL. Mitchell transitioned to coaching in 2015 with the Team Wisconsin 18U program.
Hunter Nelson
Hunter is a native of Jamestown, ND. The left winger played three seasons for Jamestown High School. He was selected to represent Team North Dakota for two consecutive seasons to represent his state in the CCM National Invitational Tournament in CCM National Invitational Tournament. He earned the following awards as a high school player: senior athlete of the year, 1st team all area, 1st team all-conference, 1st team all-state. He wanted to play college and juniors my whole life. He practices daily, either on or off the ice. He prides himself in his work ethic. Hunter played two seasons of junior hockey in the NA3HL, including stints with the New Ulm Steel, Mason City Toros and Wisconsin Woodsmen. He was also selected to compete in the NA3HL Top Prospects Showcase. He was the captain of the Woodsmen during his final season of junior hockey. Hunter just completed his first season of college hockey at NCAA D-III Northland College. As a two-way forward, Hunter’s focus is on teaching players to play a 200’ foot game with emphasis on forechecking, backchecking, skating, shooting, and picking up defensive assignments in the transition game and defensive zone.
Luke Meyer
Luke hails from Baldwin, WI. He played four years of varsity high school hockey. He then attended Minnesota State – Mankato and graduated with a degree in Earth Science. Meyer played two years in the ACHA with Mankato and then coached for Minnesota State – Mankato ACHA D2 team. He was an Assistant Coach with the Mankato East Cougars for two seasons. The Wausau Cyclones of the NA3HL hired Meyer as an Assistant Coach for the commencing with the 2023-24 season. He brings a great amount of knowledge and experience, along with a passion and hunger for the game. Being a Wisconsin native and someone who has been around hockey his entire life, Luke also brings a great network of coaches and players that will help us in our scouting and recruiting process. His focus includes helping to continue the growth and advancement of players, while pushing and challenging them to be the best players they can be.
Jorden Cooper
Jorden is from Novi, MI. He played one season for the Rochester Jr. Americans in the USPHL and moved on to play three seasons of ACHA hockey for Central Michigan University. He just concluded his second season as the head coach of Northwood University. As a former defenseman, Jordan will focus his efforts at the Eagle River Summer Hockey School on working with the defensemen.
Ryan Stumpf
Ryan is from Wolverine Lake, MI. For the past two seasons he is he Assistant Coach/Strength and Conditioning Coach for Northwood University. Ryan has been playing hockey since he was three years old, ending his playing career on Central Michigan’s Division 2 team. Ryan then coached one year for his alma mater before coming to Northwood. Ryan is a very enthusiastically energized coach and will help on the offensive side of the puck.
Graydon Skok
Graydon was a four-year varsity letter winner as a goaltender for New Prague high school in New Prague, MN. He went on to compete for four years in ACHA D-II hockey for the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. Graydon was the goaltender coach for Northland Pines High School in Eagle River, WI, for two seasons. He joined the North American Hockey League Wisconsin Windigo staff for the 2024-25 season to as an assist coach and to facilitate goaltender skill development. He helped lead the Wisconsin Windigo to the regular 2024-25 season NAHL Midwest Division championship and the Robertson Cup Midwest Division playoff championship. As of this writing, Graydon is preparing the Windigo to compete in the Robertson Cup semifinals.
Jon Vaillancourt
Head coach of the NA3HL Wisconsin Woodsmen. Vaillancourt is originally from La Valle, Wisconsin and spent last season as the Head Coach and General Manager for the Wilkes Barre/Scranton in the NCDC. Prior to his time in Wilkes he was Head Coach/GM of the Hampton Rhodes Whalers of the USPHL as well as Head Coach/GM of the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL for 2 seasons . Vaillancourt’s last Head Coaching tenure in the NA3HLwas with the Coulee Region Chill (then La Crosse Freeze), the team posted a record of 70-21-3, claiming two Central Division Championships, with multiple players moving on to the NAHL. Prior to coaching, Vaillancourt played four years at Framingham State University NCAA D3 and was as named one of the captains his senior year. After college, he joined the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL before transitioning into coaching. Prior to joining the Coulee Region Chill, Jon spent four years as an Assistant Coach with the Hampton Roads Whalers. During this time, Vaillancourt also served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Skills Development Coach in the ECHL with the Norfolk Admirals
Anna Faulkner
Anna will be in her second-year coaching at the Eagle River Summer Hockey School. Anna is a native of Madison, WI. As a youth hockey player, she competed for Team Wisconsin’s AAA program. Anna just completed her second season of NACC Division-III competition for Hilbert College in Hamburg, NY. Anna’s focus at camp will be with the forwards, helping them learn effective puck handling, skating, passing, and shooting, techniques.
Nicola Forth
Nicola is a native of Schwenksville, PA. Nicola has an extensive background in girl’s hockey. She has competed in USA Hockey Tier 1 programs with the Colorado Rampage AAA and Philadelphia Jr. Flyers AAA. While with the Philadelphia JR. Flyers program, she competed in both the 16U and 19U women’s National Championships. She also played two seasons for the Perkiomen Valley High School team Nicola is currently a forward for NCAA Division – 1 hockey Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Nicola’s coaching will emphasize skating techniques and offensive zone play, as well as shooting, forechecking and backchecking.
Weston Gerke
Assistant coach of the NA3HL Wisconsin Woodsmen. Weston is a native of West Salem, WI. He was the starting goaltender for West Salem High School for four seasons. Weston went on to pay junior hockey in the NA3HL for the Gillette Wild. In his second season with the Wild, he complied a 14 win against 2 loss regular season record while posting an impressive 2.21 GAA and .931 saves percentage. Weston helps coach goalies and defensemen. He also breaks down goaltender tendencies and shares those with forwards to help them optimize their scoring opportunities.
Caden McDonald
Caden hails from New Richmond, WI. Caden is a centerman who has played for New Richmond High School and the Soo Indians 18U AAA teams. His junior hockey playing experience commenced with the Hudson Havoc in the USPHL Premier division. Caden went on the play on season of junior hockey for the NA3HL Sheridan Hawks. Caden completed his junior hockey career with the Wisconsin Woodsman for two seasons in the NA3HL. His coaching focus will be on skills essential to success playing as a centerman. Those include skating, shooting, passing and winning faceoffs.
Taylor Cary
As a hockey player, Taylor competed for his hometown Gaylord (MI) high school team before moving on the Northern Michigan University where he completed at the ACHA Division-II level. Taylor was an assistant coach at Gaylord High School for six seasons and Central Michigan University for three seasons. Taylor has been as scout for the NAHL Wiscosin Windigo for the past three seasons. He was an assistant coach for the Wausau Cyclones during the 2023-24 season. Taylor just concluded his second season as an assistant coach for ACHA Division-I Northwood University in Midland, MI. Taylor will help coach defensemen and goalies at the Eagle River Summer Hockey School. Taylor has been working with goalies and coaching for the past 9 years and has made a large impact on a lot of young men’s lives. He has helped develop goalies such as Cooper Black from Dartmouth College (NCAA) and Dillon Kelly with the Henderson Silver Knights (AHL).
2025 Summer Hockey School
June 30-July 4: Basic Skills Program (2017-2019) $325
June 30-July 4: Essential Skills (2015-2017) $425 - FULL!
June 30-July 4: Mini-Mite Clinic (2019-2021) $100
July 7-11: High School/Midget (2007-2010) $725 skater/$300 goalie
NEW! July 14-18: Girls Week 12U & 14U (Girls 2010-2011; 2012-2013) $625 skater/$300 goalie
July 21-25: Advanced Training (2010-2012) $625 skater/$300 goalie (60% FULL - DON'T WAIT!)
July 28-Aug. 1: Complete Training (2013-2015) $625 skater/$300 goalie. FULL!
