Our coaching staff is led by Desert Ice Hockey founder Adam Cracknell. He brings over 20 seasons of professional hockey experience and 200 career NHL games to our coaching program. Learn more here.

Originally from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Empey began his career with four years of NCAA hockey at SUNY-Geneseo while obtaining his Master’s degree in Finance. His professional career includes two seasons with the Tucson Roadrunners and a memorable year with the Hershey Bears during their Calder Cup-winning season in 2024. Empey played this past season with the Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets, playing 59 games in the 2024-25 season.

Drafted 65th overall by Arizona in 2018, Jenik brings five seasons and nearly 300 games of NHL and AHL experience to Desert Ice Hockey. He has represented both the Coyotes and Ottawa Senators organizations on hockey’s biggest stage. He also represented his home country of Czechia at World Juniors in 2019 and 2020, tallying 5 points (2G, 3A) in six total games. Jan will join Desert Ice in Tempe for our on-ice camp June 9-13.

After graduating with a B.Sc. in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition from Lindenwood University, Poore earned his MA in Applied Sports Psychology through Adams State University. Heading into his sixth season as the strength and conditioning coach of the Tucson Roadrunners, Poore has designed a conditioning program specifically for developing our young athletes at Desert Ice Hockey. In the off-seasons, he has also helped hone the off-course performance and conditioning of LGPA athletes.

Based in Los Angeles, CA, Trainor is the US Marketing Manager at CCM Hockey. Trainor joins Desert Ice Hockey as an elite skills coach that has worked with many NHL and AHL athletes on and off the ice. Trainor will join Desert Ice in Tempe for our on-ice camp June 9-13.

Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers, McPhee brings six professional seasons and over 100 games of AHL experience to our team. He started his professional career after four seasons at Boston College, where he served as an alternate captain in his senior year. In that same season, McPhee was awarded the William J. Flynn Coaches Award, chosen by Head Coach Jerry York. He is also a graduate of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. Graham will join Desert Ice in Tempe for our on-ice camp June 9-13.