Home Ice Advantage provides elite-level training and a full menu of hockey services, tailored specifically to the needs of the North Shore. From skate sharpening to goal-specific training at all levels, we’ve finally brought a full menu of hockey-specific services and training to players who previously had to travel for these services and now have “Home Ice” advantage right next door. Home Ice trainers understand the unique needs of player development and educate them on how to make realistic gains to help reach their unique goals. Home Ice trainers also help educate parents on what to expect and how to properly support their children as their skills and hockey interest develop.
Home Ice isn't about “quick fix” solutions often offered by other programs. These cookie-cutter approaches typically are not impactful to help players accelerate their skills. Home Ice trainers have mastered the ability to help explain critical elements of the game to players and help them to understand the roles they need to play on the ice
Jeff Dolphin
Jeff Dolphin is the owner of Home Ice in Northbrook, Illinois and Home Ice Advantage in Kenilworth, Illinois. From an early age, Jeff has been active in team sports, so it didn’t surprise his friends and family in 2015 when he leased a tiny storefront in Winnetka, bought some used skate-sharpening equipment, and began serving local teams and players. Jeff exudes enthusiasm for the sport and is extremely passionate about the important benefits that team sports provides kids and our local community. Jeff is a certified hockey coach, with designations from both USA Hockey and the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois. Included in Jeff’s
certifications is a National Background Screening, Coaching Code of Ethics, and
age specific training modules for each level of play. Jeff resides with his wife Dylan and their lovable French Bulldog “Honey” in Highland Park.
Dylan Dolphin
Dylan joins the Dolphin family business, supporting her husband Jeff’s dream. She assists behind the scenes with scheduling practice time, private lessons, and marketing for Home Ice and Home Ice Advantage. Dylan is also a full time licensed real estate broker with @atproperties and the Melissa Siegal Group and splits her time between the Northshore and the City. If she’s not at the facility you can typically find her on her yoga mat or obsessing over food.
John Hirka
When John graduated from Bradley University, he received a rare opportunity in an executive protection role for an elite private organization. Once established he created very intense and stress-inducing courses for field agents and analyzed recruits. From there John went into a more traditional role in training, primarily focusing on the rehab side of things with the intention to pursue occupational therapy. After years of self-study and a few lessons in debt management he decided to try and establish himself within the field of training through a much more “elite” lens, becoming certified in pain management, joint mobilization, neurokinetic therapy, and massage therapy.
Eventually discovering how strength and movement IQ played directly into these other modalities, I’ve now established a structured system that combines the essential elements of fitness to provide an honest and effective approach to physical longevity.
Recreationally, he’s currently an avid participant in ultra-endurance events. He’s fascinated with the psychological adaptations we are capable of when put into difficult physical circumstances.
Cameron (LT) Thompson
Cameron's self-transformation into the gym has allowed him to develop his own style of strength training which has already helped countless people take their fitness journey to the next level. Having a deep understanding of body mechanics, Cameron has already helped many clients lose weight quickly and efficiently. On top of weight loss, his strength training has helped customers and other personal trainers alike gain better results than traditional personal training. Cameron has a good understanding of how and when to push people for them to develop their inner strength, which is a quality that traditional personal trainers lack.
Troy
Troy grew up playing hockey for Winnetka and New Trier High School. He started playing hockey at 3 years old and grew up in a hockey household. Troy began teaching Learn to Skate classes and assisting the Winnetka hockey club with clinics at the early age of 13. In high school, he spent time coaching both Winnetka and Wilmette. Troy has been with Home Ice since 2017 and we are so excited to have him apart of our coaching staff.