FORTE [fawr-tey]

a person's strong suit, or most highly developed characteristic, talent, or skill; something that one excels in

Our Mission: To aid in the development of young women, while empowering them to strive towards self-actualization in sports and their greater lives.

ABOUT US

At Forte, our primary focus is to development young women through sport, while empowering them to strive towards self-actualization in their greater lives.

We are a business created by women, for women. We believe in the unparalleled mentorship opportunity from women who have experienced similar paths as the players they are training, while also bringing diverse backgrounds and knowledge. Through a highly engaged team and desire to grow the game, our goal is to continually enhance the athletic experience for young female athletes. By providing meaningful and intentional training opportunities, we intend to help grow, mentor, and foster development for girls through sport.

Our programming is meant to help players find their voice, understand the impact of positive self-talk, rise as leaders, and then positively impact others in the future.

February Shooting Clinic
Summer Session 1
Summer Session 2
LACE Camp
Senior Send-off

February Shooting Clinic


February 3, 10, 17, 24
4, 45 minute on-ice training sessions

Middle School Session (6-8th)
High School Session (9-12th)

$180

REGISTER HERE
Note: All Forte clinics are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age or numbers.

When?
Middle School (6-8th)
Wednesdays 7:00 am – 7:45 am @ St. Louis Park Rec Center

High School Session
Wednesdays 7:00 am – 7:45 am @ Richfield Ice Arena

Who is this for?

Players looking to develop shooting accuracy and technique in a high pace, high repetition environment!

Note: groups will be separated by age division.

What is the emphasis?
Players will be taught specific shooting technique and form. Small groups and high coach to player ratio will ensure lots of feedback and provide a great learning environment.
Work on specifics such as: quick release, shooting accuracy, shooting in stride, snap shots, change of angle, and more.

Summer Session 1:


Offensive Skills for All Players
July 26 - 28 & August 2 - August 4

Middle School & High School Groups
6 - 12th Grade
Richfield Arena & Parade Ice Garden

$290

REGISTER HERE
Note: All Forte clinics are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age or numbers.


Who is this for?

All players looking for overall development in all facets of their game. Specific and focused one hour training sessions will emphasize both individual and team play.

Note: groups will be separated by age division.

What is the emphasis?
Offensive skills for all players. Focus areas include:

  • Zone entry options
  • Effective regroups
  • Blue line agility for defenseman
  • Low goal line offense and cycling
  • Shot selection and shooting technique
  • Screens, tips and rebounds
  • Passing options including area/forehand/backhand/saucer

Summer Session 2:


Defensive Skills for All Players
August 9 - 11 & August 16 - August 18

6, one-hour on-ice training sessions

Middle School & High School Groups
6 - 12th Grade
Richfield Arena & Parade Ice Garden

$290

REGISTER HERE
Note: All Forte clinics are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age or numbers.


Who is this for?

All players looking for overall development in all facets of their game. Specific and focused one hour training sessions will emphasize both individual and team play.

Note: groups will be separated by age division.

What is the emphasis?
Defensive skills for all players. Focus areas include:

  • Angling and stick steering
  • Effective breakouts
  • Board play: receiving rings/puck protection/getting puck off wall quickly
  • Body positioning: boxing out, gaining lanes, puck protection
  • Gap control, skating agility and change of speed
  • Passing options including area/forehand/backhand/saucer

LACE Camp


July 6 - July 9
8:00 am - 2:30 pm daily

Ages 11 - 15
St Louis Park Recreation Center

$400

REGISTER HERE
Note: All Forte clinics are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age or numbers.

When?
July 6th - July 9th, 4 day camp
8:00 am - 2:30 daily

Who is this for?

All girls from ages 11-15 with an interest in developing as a hockey player and young leader.

Note: groups will be separated by age division.

What is the emphasis?
This is a 4 day camp intended to expose and educate young girls about what leadership is, and how to incorporate it into their daily lives. Each day will focus on building both on-ice skills and have explicit leadership development opportunities with trained professionals.

What is included?

  • 2, one-hour ice sessions each day with high coach to player ratio
  • Daily leadership sessions by trained professionals
  • Team building and cooperative workshops with peers

Senior Send-off


August 6th - August 8th
9:00 am - 2:15 pm daily

August 6th - August 8th
9:00 am - 2:15 pm daily

$295

REGISTER HERE
Note: All Forte clinics are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age or numbers.

When?
August 6th - August 8th
9:00 am - 2:15 daily

Who is this for?

Graduated seniors who will be attending college in the fall to play NCAA collegiate hockey (D1 or D3).

What is the emphasis?
We surveyed NCAA coaches asking what they wish incoming freshmen knew before becoming a student athlete at their respective schools. This 3-day camp addresses those gaps and more, sending seniors off to school with more confidence and a better understanding of what to expect at the collegiate level!

What is included?

  • 2, one-hour ice sessions each day (AM practice, PM scrimmage/small area games) with high coach to player ratio
  • College system video sessions
  • Current student athlete panel

WHY THE EMPHASIS ON SKILL WORK?

Skill development lays the framework for individuals to be successful once they engage in competition. Often times, players bypass fundamental skill development so that they can participate in more practices and games that do not provide the tactical development they need to heighten their game.

At Forte, we believe that working on the finite parts of a players games leads to greater success for both individuals and within groups. When players can dedicate specific time and energy to skill work, they are laying the foundation to perform at their highest levels in game situations.

SKILLS ADDRESSED DURING FORTE SKILLS SESSIONS

  • Lateral movement with and without the puck
  • Deception, delays and escapes
  • Shooting with quick release, change of angle, etc.
  • Dynamic footwork
  • Puck protection skills
  • Systematic concepts such as zone entry options and breakout skills
  • Under handling and puck skills
  • Various other skill specific drills as requested

MEET THE COACHES

Bethany Brausen

Bethany Brausen

  • Current assistant coach at the University of Minnesota
  • Over 10 years of coaching experience, including youth development, high school, and the collegiate level
  • Former collegiate athlete at the University of Minnesota
  • 2-time captain at the University of Minnesota

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • Former assistant coach at Breck School
  • Involved with USA Hockey National Camps and Minnesota Development Camps
  • High Performance (HP) Evaluator

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota
  • Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota
  • Current PhD student in the Organizational Leadership Policy & Development Program at the University of Minnesota

MEET THE COACHES

Whitney Colbert

Whitney Colbert

  • Current head coach at The Blake School
  • Current USA Hockey Women’s National Team event scout
  • Former assistant coach with the Chinese National Program
  • Assistant Coach at Union College (NCAA DI) 2016-2019
  • Assistant Coach at Connecticut College (NCAA DIII) 2014-2016
  • Former collegiate athlete at Trinity College

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • USA Hockey district evaluations for New York State, New England, Multi-District camp
  • USA Hockey National Camps: Head Coach, Skills Coach, Operations assistant and intern 2013-2019

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Trinity College
  • Masters Degree in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University

MEET THE COACHES

Ronda Curtin Engelhardt

Ronda Curtin Engelhardt

  • Current co head coach MN Whitecaps (NWHL)
    • 2018 Isobel Cup Champions
  • Former head coach with the Chinese National Program
  • Former head coach at Breck School
    • 2018 State Champions
  • Former assistant coach at University of St Thomas (NCAA DIII)

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • Over 15 years of coaching experience, from youth development to international level
  • Former collegiate athlete at the University of Minnesota
    • National Champion; Team Captain
  • 2x All American, 2x WCHA Defensive Players of the year; WCHA Player of the Year

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Psychology; Minor in Leadership from University of Minnesota
  • Masters Degree in School Counseling
  • Currently pursuing Certification in Applied Positive Psychology

MEET THE COACHES

Angela Girtz

Angela Girtz

  • Former assistant coach with the Chinese National Program
  • Former assistant coach at Breck School
    • 2018 State Champions
  • Over 10 years of coaching experience, including youth, high school, and international
  • Former collegiate athlete at Saint Anselm College
    • ECAC Women’s Open Champion; Team Captain
    • ECAC All Conference Team; Leadership Committee
    • Most Improved Player Award

Other Hockey Related Experience:

  • Upper Midwest HS - Elite League Hockey Coach and Evaluator
  • OS Hockey on ice and bench instructor
  • High Performance (HP) Evaluator

Education Credentials:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Saint Anselm College

Contact Us

Bethany Brausen
Cell: 651-815-3251
Email
Whitney Colbert
Cell: 607-351-7288
Email
Ronda Curtin Engelhardt
Cell: 651-216-7932
Email
Angela Zevnik Girtz
Email