ROCHESTER ICE CENTER HOCKEY ACADEMY

The Academy: About Our Training Programs

Our MISSION

Our mission is to help every player reach their potential by prioritizing individual growth, confidence, and love for the game. Through intentional skill development and a positive growth mindset approach, we guide athletes to become better players and more confident people.

Comprehensive Player Development

The Four Pillars of Elite Hockey:

Explosive skating technique
Confident stick handling
Precision passing
Shoot to score

Our Training Approach: We combine cutting-edge training methods with high-pressure drills that mirror real game situations. Every session emphasizes skating fundamentals, skill development, puck protection techniques, and ends with small area games that translate directly to competitive play.

Building Complete Athletes

On-Ice Training:

Advanced skating techniques and movement
Positioning and game awareness
Save techniques and rebound control (for goalies)
Puck tracking and decision-making
Small area games for situational play

Off-Ice Development:

Character building activities
Agility, speed, and strength training
Core stability and balance work
Multi-sport activities (soccer, dodgeball, kickball, baseball)
Team-building games and challenges

From Beginner to Elite

Foundation Programs: Starting with children as young as 2 years old, our Learn to Skate program creates a fun, engaging environment where future hockey players develop through games, music, and structured play. As players progress, they advance through our system from pre-mite to mite teams and beyond.

Competitive Development: For serious, committed players ready for advanced training, we provide competitive, focused environments with experienced Academy Staff Members. These programs are designed for motivated athletes who want to push their limits alongside similarly-skilled players.

Specialized Training: Our goaltending programs focus specifically on young netminders, building strong foundational skills in the crease while fostering a love for the position. Position-specific training ensures goalies develop proper technique, movement, and game awareness.

What Sets Us Apart

✓ Results-Driven: Whether players are looking to make their school team, dominate in their current league, or take their game to the next level, our programs deliver measurable results

✓ Experienced Coaching: Years of coaching experience and genuine passion for player development from every Academy Staff Member

✓ Small Group Instruction: Individualized attention ensures every player gets personalized coaching and feedback

✓ Proven Methods: Training techniques backed by successful player advancement and competitive performance

✓ Supportive Environment: Fun, confidence-building atmosphere that encourages growth and celebrates progress

✓ Complete Development: Holistic approach combining technical skills, physical conditioning, mental toughness, and character building

Our Commitment

At The Academy, we're committed to developing not just better hockey players, but better athletes and better people. Through structured training, competitive environments, and supportive coaching, we help players of all ages and skill levels reach their full potential on and off the ice.

Testimonial Carousel

What Our Players Say

Hear from players who have trained at the Ice Center

"Ever since working with Francois I have seen tremendous strides in my game. He puts so much work and effort into making each and every player he works with better. He played the game at the highest level so he knows exactly what he's talking about. Without him my game wouldn't be where it is today, and I wouldn't have the success that I have."

Kevin Wall

Penn State / Carolina Hurricane Draft Pick

"I went to Francois at the Ice Center looking to become more of an offensive threat but what I got was more than I could've asked for. He is extremely knowledgeable, has a great attention to detail, and tailored drills specific to my needs. Thanks to him I have skills and knowledge that I continue to use to better my game."

Kristina Schuler

Boston University

"I've skated in the off-seasons with Francois at the Ice Center for years. He is as good as any skills coach I've had the chance to work with. Francois is a pro and understands how to get the most out of you while also making it fun."

David Farrance

Boston University / Nashville Predators Draft Pick

"I really love power edge pro and full ice power skating. I would travel out of town to get this training, but there is no need to because it's offered at the Ice Center here in Rochester by Francois. I appreciate that Francois constantly brings enthusiasm to practice and gives me feedback and small adjustments which make the world of a difference in my game."

Rene Gangarosa

Penn State

"The detailed skills I have added to my game since working with Franky at the Ice Center have allowed me to keep growing as a player year to year. He is able to combine 'specific' edge work, puck skills, shooting, among several other techniques with game application. This makes the things I learn from him easily transferable. My work with Franky has been game changing and have allowed me to take my game to the next level!"

Matthew Lane

Boston University / Ritten

"I've worked with Francois at the Ice Center for the past five summers. I can honestly say I wouldn't still be playing at 37 without his skates in the summer. The skill level of today's game is so advanced from when I started pro hockey that it would have been impossible for me to compete without his sessions. I've come out of every summer more confident in my skills and on ice stamina. If anyone could keep me going until 40 it will be him."

Nathan Paetsch

Rochester Americans AHL

"Francois has helped me so much improve as a player in many different aspects of my game and taught me things I would've never learned if I didn't start working with him. He's helped my game grow in many aspects on the ice as well as off the ice too, he is a great coach and I always love working with him!!"

Kirsten Simms

USA Hockey U18 / Wisconsin Commit

"Finding and using Francois Methot at the Ice Center was the best decision I could have made during my search for an on ice skills coach. After playing the game for over 20 years and having many coaches I can truly say he helped me the most when it came to skill development. His summer skill sessions gave me the confidence and preparation when it came time for the regular season. My only regret was not finding him sooner."

Chris McCarthy

Hershey Bears AHL

"I started working with Coach Methot at the Ice Center 4 years ago. He was my coach for the monarchs for 2 years. He was a great coach to all of us and helped lead our team to win a state championship and move onto nationals the 2nd year! Not only was he a great coach on the bench but he also was a huge part of my personal success on the ice. Without him I do not believe I would be the player or person I am today. He pushes me every time I am on the ice to be the best I can be."

Anthony Agostinelli

Niagara Ice Dogs OHL

A Rochester, NY native, Greg developed locally with the Rochester Youth Americans before playing in the USHL for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, where he won a Clark Cup championship. He went on to captain the University of New Hampshire, earning Hockey East Best Defensive Forward honors. Greg played professionally in the ECHL, serving as captain of the Las Vegas Wranglers, and spent five seasons overseas competing in Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, and New Zealand. He co-founded Evolve Hockey and has coached youth players from Squirt through Midget levels in Rochester with ROCO and Bishop Kearney, including a 2023 14U National Championship at BK. Greg is passionate about developing the next generation of hockey players in the region.

Greg Collins

Director of the Academy