Corrective advice and positive encouragement. NF Hockey Instructors are passionate about hockey and about developing happy, healthy players.

Piper Thompson

Piper is a Hockey Canada D1 Certified Coach with a passion for power skating and edge control. With 9 years of coaching experience, currently the Burlington Barracudas U13A Head Coach and the lead development instructor for Northern Freeze Hockey; she is sure to get your skater to the next level! 

Piper’s Coaching Philosophy: I begin by correcting balance, edges and stride. Once we have achieved the proper technique, we focus on speed and efficiency throughout each functional movement; while creating a fun and developmentally structured learning environment. 

Experience/Clubs:

  • Northern Freeze Hockey -  Lead Development Instructor for 3 years 

  • Head Coach for Burlington Barracudas U13A 2024/2025 

  • Assistant coach for Burlington Barracudas U15AA 2023/2024 

  • Head Coach for U18, U15, U13, U9/7 in Oakville Hornets for 5 years (multiple teams per year) 

  • Lead Development instructor for Oakville Rangers Future Prospects Program (ages 5-9) 

  • Lead Development Instructor for Oakville Rangers Accelerated Development Program (ages 11-14) 

Number: 96

Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario

Height: 5’2

Shoots: Left

Pre-Game Meal: Chicken, Quinoa and Veggies

Favourite NHL Player: Trevor Zegrass

Rylee Kogon

Rylee is a longtime Oakville hockey player who played for the Oakville Rangers for 10 years. Having participated in our camps and skates as a player, Rylee now brings all he has learned to Northern Freeze. He has been working for Northern Freeze for 4 years as apart of the Blue Mountain Camp, Future Prospects Program, Northern Freeze Summer Team, and more.

Number: 19
Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario
Height: 5’9
Shoots: Right
Pre-Game Meal: Chicken Pasta
Favourite Player: Brock Boeser

Kian Venter

Kian has been skating since he was three and played hockey for the Oakville Rangers at a AA/AAA level. He has been working with Northern Freeze for 2 years doing the Blue Mountain camp and Future Prospects program. Also, he used to be a member of our camps taking part in our first Blue Mountain camp, as well as participating in pre-tryout, power skating, and other development programs.

Number: 6

Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario

Height: 6'4

Shoots: Right

Pregame meal: Protein smoothie

Favourite Player: William Nylander

Tyler Colwill

Tyler has been playing for the Oakville Rangers since he was five years old. Growing up Tyler participated in our NF programs. Over the last couple of seasons he has been a part of many Northern Freeze camps, skates and the elite prospects program. Tyler’s love for the game of hockey does not end there, over the last two years he has refereed nearly 300 games. Tyler’s sense of humour and ability to work with students one on one, ensures that everyone is having a great time. Improving while having fun is what hockey is all about.

Number: 7

Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario

Height: 5’9

Shoots: Right

Pregame Meal: chicken, rice and vegetables

Favourite player: Patrice Bergeron

Ava mckay

Ava has been playing for the Oakville Hornets since she was seven years old. She has been working with Northern Freeze for four years including summer camps and skates with the Oakville Hornets and Rangers.

Number: 97
Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario
Height: 5’7
Shoots: Left
Pregame meal: chicken and rice
Favourite player: Mitch Marner

Rachel Hamburg

Rachel has played hockey since she was six years old, playing for the Oakville Hornets her entire hockey career. She has been working with Northern Freeze for three years doing the Blue Mountain Camp and Oakville Hornets and Rangers skates. 

Number: 9

Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario
Height: 5’8
Shoots: Right
Pregame meal: Pasta and meat sauce
Favourite player: Nick Suzuki and Natalie Spooner

Ryan O’Connell

Number: 6
Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario
Height: 5’11
Shoots: Right
Pregame meal: chicken and rice
Favourite player: Nick Suzuki

Ryan has been playing hockey since he was four years old. Growing up Ryan participated in our NF camps and development programs. Over the last three years he has worked with NF in the Blue Mountain Camps and our Ranger’s Future Prospects Program.



Emma Whalen

Emma has been playing hockey for the Oakville Hornets since she was 6 years old. She has been working with NF hockey for 3 years at summer camps and development camps for the Oakville Hornets and used to attend NF summer camps as a kid!

Hannah Birtch

Number: 27
Birthplace: Stratford, Ontario
Height: 5’6
Shoots: Right
Pregame meal: Smoothies
Favourite player: Erik Karlsson & Brianne Jenner 

Hannah has played hockey for the Oakville Hornets since she was seven years old. She has been working with Northern Freeze for four years including our summer camps and development skates.

Connor wyville

Connor has been playing hockey since he was four years old, and has been a goalie since he was six. He currently plays for the Wasaga Beach Stars. He attended Northern Freeze for several years and is now going into his second year of instructing.

Number: 1 and 31
Birthplace: Kingston, Ontario
Height: 5’6
Catches: Left

Shoots: Right
Pregame meal: Spaghetti
Favourite player: Carey Price

Miller Black

Miller is in his 7th year of AAA hockey playing with the U16 North Central Predators. Miller has volunteered with NF Camp in previous years, as well as participated in the camp for several years. He is excited to share his knowledge, skill and experience with the younger players.

Number: 4

Height: 5’10

Shoots: Left

Favorite NHL player: Patrick Kane

Landon Tardif

Landon has been playing hockey since he was 3 years old. He Currently plays for the Wasaga Beach Stars.  Landon attended Northern Freeze camp for 6 years and Is going into his second year of Instructing. 

 Number: 11 

 Height: 5’6 

 Shoots: Right 

 Favourite NHL Player: Auston Matthews