Craig Furstenau  ·  Hockey & Wellness Coach  ·  Michigan

Build a Strong
Foundation

Three national championships. Two decades of developing players from youth hockey to the NHL. One proven system.

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Years Coaching

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National Championships

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State Titles

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Players Developed

Oakland University Hall of Fame · Little Caesars AAA · Belle Tire AAA · Toledo Walleye ECHL · USA Hockey · AdvoCare Certified · Michigan Ice Hawks · Oakland University Hall of Fame · Little Caesars AAA · Belle Tire AAA · Toledo Walleye ECHL · USA Hockey · AdvoCare Certified · Michigan Ice Hawks
About Craig

Two Decades of Winning
at Every Level

Craig Furstenau has been on the ice since age 3 in Michigan. He competed through juniors and finished his playing career as captain of the Oakland University Grizzlies — then immediately started building one of the most decorated coaching careers in the state.

As head coach at Oakland University (2002–2005), Craig posted an .800+ win percentage, won back-to-back GMHL titles, captured the 2004 national championship, and reached the 2005 national final. He was inducted into the Oakland University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

With Little Caesars AAA, Craig won back-to-back state titles and the 2008 national championship. His Belle Tire AAA squad finished #1 nationally in 2014–2015. Players Craig has developed have gone on to play in the USHL, NAHL, and college hockey — and the game's best have sought him out for their own development.

2004 Nat'l Champion
Oakland Univ.
2008 Nat'l Champion
Little Caesars AAA
#1 National Finish
Belle Tire '14–15
OU HOF Hall of Fame
Inductee 2005
Craig Furstenau

"The goal isn't just a better hockey player. It's a better athlete — and a better person."

— Craig Furstenau
The Craig Furstenau Method

What Sets This Apart

Every elite coach has a system. Craig's is built on four interlocking pillars refined over 20+ years and every level of the game.

01
01

Foundation Skating

Edge work, crossovers, transitions, and first-step explosiveness aren't just drills — they're the base every other skill is built on. Craig breaks skating down to its mechanical roots and rebuilds it correctly, at any age.

  • Edge control & balance
  • Acceleration mechanics
  • Backward & transition skating
02
02

Puck Mastery

High-repetition puck handling, shooting, and passing under pressure. Craig trains hands to work automatically — so when the game speeds up, the skills don't slow down.

  • Hands-to-feet coordination
  • Shooting mechanics & release
  • Puck protection & possession
03
03

Hockey IQ & Compete

The mental side of the game separates good players from great ones. Craig coaches players to read the ice, anticipate plays, and compete at a level that goes beyond physical skill.

  • Positional awareness
  • Decision-making under pressure
  • Compete level & battle habits
04
04

Athlete Wellness

Craig's background in sports nutrition sets him apart from most coaches. Hydration, fueling, recovery — he teaches players what to do off the ice to perform better on it. Most coaches skip this. Craig doesn't.

  • Sports nutrition fundamentals
  • Hydration & performance
  • Recovery habits & longevity
Career

A Résumé Built on Ice

1999

Grosse Ile High School

Assistant Coach — began building his coaching philosophy at the high school level.

2002–05

Oakland University Grizzlies

Head Coach. .800+ win pct. 2× GMHL titles. 2004 National Champion. 2005 National Finalist. Inducted into OU Athletic Hall of Fame.

National Champion
2005–09

Little Caesars AAA

Head Coach. Four seasons. Back-to-back state titles (2007, 2008). 2008 National Champion.

National Champion
2009–10

Toledo Walleye — ECHL

Video Coach. Professional hockey experience at the ECHL level — the league that feeds the AHL and NHL.

2010–12

Junior A & Midget Hockey

Head Coach, Yellowstone Quake (Junior A) and Michigan Ice Hawks. Continued developing elite junior talent.

2012–14

Rocky Mountain Snow Kings — Aspen, CO

Trainer. Expanded coaching and wellness expertise in one of the country's premier training environments.

2014–15

Belle Tire AAA

Coach. Led squad to a #1 national finish — one of Michigan's most prestigious AAA programs.

#1 National Finish
2016

Michigan Ice Hawks

Led the 2004-born group to State and LCAHL playoff titles.

State Champions
Now

Furstenau Hockey Development

Individual and small group skill training. Meijer 2007 AAA, Troy Sting 2006, and private clients. Available for team clinics.

Available for Training
Programs

Training That Delivers Results

Whether you're a first-year mite or a player eyeing the next level, Craig builds a plan around where you are and where you need to go.

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Individual Training

One-on-one sessions built entirely around your player's specific needs — skating mechanics, edge work, puck handling, and shooting. Full focus, maximum reps, fastest results.

  • All ages & skill levels
  • Customized to your player's gaps
  • On-ice & off-ice components
Book a Session →
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Small Group Training

High-rep skill development in groups of 4–8 players. Small enough for real coaching attention, competitive enough to push every player. This is where games are won.

  • Max 8 players per session
  • High-competition drills
  • Peer-level accountability
Get Info →
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Team Clinics

Full-team sessions for organizations that want an edge. System play, compete culture, and the mental components that separate championship teams from the rest of the field.

  • AAA, AA & travel teams
  • System & compete culture
  • Nutrition & athlete wellness
Inquire →
Player Development

The Proof Is in the Players

Players Craig has coached and trained have gone on to the highest levels of the game.

Featured Player

Rocco Grimaldi

NHL Forward · Florida Panthers · Colorado Avalanche · Nashville Predators · KHL

Drafted 33rd overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, Rocco Grimaldi played 11 professional seasons in North America — defying every doubter who said his size would hold him back. On March 25, 2021, Grimaldi scored 4 goals against the Detroit Red Wings, including a hat trick in just 2 minutes and 34 seconds — the fastest in Nashville Predators history.

Rocco's story is exactly what Craig's approach is about: relentless skill development, compete level that exceeds expectations, and the complete athlete mindset that makes size irrelevant.

33rdOverall Pick, 2011
11Pro Seasons
2:34Hat Trick (Predators Record)

NHL & Pro Hockey

Players developed by Craig have competed at the NHL and professional hockey level.

College Hockey

Alumni skating in NCAA programs across the country — Division I, II, and III.

USHL & NAHL

Multiple players making the jump to Tier I and Tier II junior hockey after Craig's training.

AAA Champions

State and national champions at the elite youth AAA level — the pipeline to the next level.

Film Room

Watch & Share

Rocco Grimaldi Feature

An inside look at how Craig's training principles shaped the career of 2nd-round NHL pick Rocco Grimaldi.

Sessions

Open Spots & Upcoming Sessions

Select one or more sessions — pay for all at once at checkout.

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Available Sessions

Select one or more sessions then click Register to proceed.

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Before You Register

Please read and accept the following agreement before selecting sessions.

Participation Agreement & Liability Waiver

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT
All participants must arrive with full, appropriate hockey equipment in good condition — helmet with cage/visor, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, shin guards, skates, stick, and hockey pants. Players without proper equipment will not be permitted to participate and no refund will be issued.

NO REFUND POLICY
All sales are final. No refunds will be issued for any reason including illness, injury, scheduling conflicts, or no-shows.

DATE CHANGE POLICY
One date change per booking may be requested subject to availability. Requests must be submitted to craigfurstenau@hotmail.com prior to the session. Date changes are not guaranteed and are subject to open availability only.

RULES OF CONDUCT
All participants are expected to maintain a respectful, coachable attitude. Furstenau Hockey Development reserves the right to remove any participant for disruptive, unsafe, or disrespectful behavior without refund.

LIABILITY WAIVER
Ice hockey is a physical sport that carries inherent risks of injury. By registering, participant (or parent/guardian on behalf of a minor) acknowledges and accepts these risks and releases Craig Furstenau and Furstenau Hockey Development from any and all liability for injury, illness, loss, or damage arising from participation.

PHOTO/VIDEO CONSENT
Furstenau Hockey Development may photograph or video participants during sessions for promotional use. Notify Craig in writing prior to the session to opt out.

MINOR PARTICIPANTS
If the player is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete this registration and accepts all terms on behalf of the minor.

↓ Please scroll to read the full agreement ↓

1 Session
2 Your Info
3 Waiver & Pay

Selected Sessions

News & Updates

Latest from Craig

June 2025

Summer Clinics Now Open

Registration is open for summer small group sessions. Limited spots available — contact Craig directly to reserve your player's slot before they're gone.

May 2025

Player Spotlight: Belle Tire Alumni in College Hockey

Several players from Craig's 2014–2015 Belle Tire AAA squad — which finished #1 nationally — are now competing at the college hockey level. Proud of every one of them.

Follow Craig on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates, drills, and player highlights.

Testimonials

What Families Are Saying

"

Craig loves his players and wants them improving every single day. He goes above and beyond for families. His nutrition knowledge is exceptional — he taught us that dehydration alone can significantly impact on-ice performance. No other coach has ever brought that up.

— Shannon, Hockey Parent
"

The focus on the complete player — both on and off the ice — is what sets Craig apart. My son didn't just get better at hockey. He became a better athlete, period.

— Jen, Hockey Parent
"

Craig's training helped my son reach the USHL, then the NAHL, and eventually college hockey. The foundation he built in those early sessions paid off for years. You can't put a price on that.

— Debra, Hockey Parent
"

My son showed immediate, visible improvement in his skating after just one clinic with Craig. We saw changes in his edges and his speed that we'd been trying to fix for two seasons. One session.

— Kris, Hockey Parent
Contact

Ready to Level Up?

Reach out to Craig directly. Whether you're looking for individual training, small group work, or a full team clinic — tell him where your player is and where they want to go.

Michigan