About us
We are a full-service hockey training company that focuses on organizations and consistency building better coaches & players. Providing the tools necessary to "make life easier for everyone involved" from board members, presidents, player development, coaches, players and parents. We utilize our expertise with the use of custom dummies that slide on the ice for training, online drills, in-person train-the-trainers, follow up feedback and organization. We are here to build a community of better players, coaches and organizations, ultimately making the game better and safer for everyone!
Our story
Building off 40+ years of playing experience, 30+ years of coaching experience and working with organizations all around the country over the past 5 years with Francisco Hockey, we realized a need to help coaches and players. Most coaches are "parents" with little to no hockey experience and there is nothing wrong with it, it's actually the life blood of youth training, but they need help. That is where we come in. Let us help you do the coaching and consistently cultivate better players within your organization.
Our values
• Information: providing the most comprehensive tools to help you.
• Education: we take a personal approach to helping you and your organization.
• Technology: utilize our mobile platform anywhere you go.
• Training: helping you provide the best, most consistent training out there.
Our history
Formed from a need in the market and working with over 1/3 of the organizations in Minnesota, "The State of Hockey", we have found a solution that works for everyone including, organizational bodies, coaches, players and parents. We aim to "make life easier" for everyone while providing the best training and programs that can be implemented right away.
Our Team
JON FRANCISCO
CEO and Founder
Jon was born and raised in Hermantown, Minnesota. He played hockey, baseball, football, soccer and golf. After high school he played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Following college, he played for 8 season of professional hockey in the UHL, ECHL and AHL. Following his hockey career, he served as a firefighter for 10 years in California and Wisconsin before leaving the fire service to build businesses, Francisco Hockey & 4Check Hockey which make major impacts in hockey, training, skills and safety. Jon now resides back in Hermantown with is wife and two children.
Jon believes that fundamentals are the building blocks of any sport. Once those are established, you can then continue to push the envelope of a players potential. The game has changed since he played and believes if you're not willing to change with the times, understand the trends and the direction of the game, you are just teaching in the past. Jon fosters an environment of teaching, making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, hard work and having fun. He enjoys working with coaches, athletes and parents, especially when the "light bulb" turns on.
Learn more about Jon and his story on this podcast from the Youth Hockey Hub.
Max Hayes
Sr. Account Manager
Max was born and raised in Anoka, Minnesota where he began skating at the age of 2. Throughout his youth and high school years, he spent his time playing competitive hockey, football, baseball and tennis as part of the MSHSL. Following his high school graduation, Max attended University of Minnesota-Duluth and graduated with a degree in Business and Marketing. Max has spent the last three years as Head Coach for the Hermantown PeeWee "A" team while running skills sessions for the Mite/Bantam teams throughout the summer months. In addition, Max was the Head Coach of the Northland Yetis AAA Team in the summer of 2022. He is now the current head coach of the Anoka Bantam AA team along with running Contact, Checking & Concussion Prevention Camps throughout the country.
Since hanging up his skates as a player, Max has found passion in teaching and growing the game of hockey. Max brings high energy to the ice, as well as a drive to help develop players into the best athlete they can be. He is proud of his ability to build good rapport with these young skaters and finds deep satisfaction in helping them grow. Max is a continuous "student of the game" and consistently seeks new ways to improve the sport. Most importantly, Max emphasizes having FUN while playing and developing long lasting skills both on and off the ice.