MEET THE
Q CREW
All Quantum Speed instructors have played elite levels of hockey or ringette and have participated in our signature Q3 program several times as players. Our instructors are trained experts at detecting movement inefficiencies and implementing strategies to form a lasting change.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. PROFESSIONAL RESULTS.
Steffany Hanlen
Founder
Steffany Hanlen has spent her lifetime supporting athletes to achieve their dreams. Steffany is a world-class speaker, seminar leader and mental performance expert. Her career highlights include two Olympic appearances and numerous world class events in the capacity of mental performance coach. In addition to this, Steffany spent 16 years as power skating instructor and strength and conditioning coach for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues. She is the Co-developer of Skate Canada’s CanPowerSkate program and is one of only two recognized Master Skating Coaches through Hockey Canada. Building on her experience, and on the proprietary methodologies she developed for training world class athletes, Steffany founded the Quantum Speed System™ that can transform any player, regardless of age or experience, into a stronger, faster and more imposing force on ice.
CERTIFICATION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Every Quantum Speed™ instructor is a champion in their own right with proven playing and coaching experience in a professional league.
Unlike other schools or programs, a player’s reputation on the ice is not enough to qualify them to be a Quantum Speed™ instructor. To maintain our strict code of excellence, each prospective instructor is required to complete a rigorous QS Apprenticeship Program which includes over 200 hours of on-ice training along with comprehensive off-ice instruction and detailed written assignments before they can apply to be certified.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Ivan Allan Nelson
Head Instructor
"I love to be challenged daily, to work with an amazing team, and help our clients reach their goals on a daily basis."
Winner of the coveted SPKAC Ken Hitchcock Coach of the Year Award, and making multiple appearances in various All-Star games, Ivan brings considerable competition experience to Quantum Speed. Ivan has two Alberta Cup Gold championships under his belt and is a Certified Advance Level Coach by the NCCP, a Hockey Alberta Certified Course Facilitator, and a Respect in Sport Activity Leader.
Alexa McMillan
Senior Lead Instructor
"I love being able to share my passion for hockey and skating, while having the opportunity to make a difference in players’ lives.".
An instructor with Quantum Speed for over 14 years, Alexa brings an impressive background of performance and coaching. She is currently playing professional hockey for Modo in the SDHL, Sweden’s top women’s league, after being captain for Goteborg HC. During her USPORTS university career, Alexa was the captain for Saint Mary’s University for 2 seasons, and an assistant captain for the 2 seasons prior. She is a 5-time USPORTS Academic All-Canadian, and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree while earning the Gold Medal for the highest GPA in her faculty.
Carter Luo
Lead Instructor
"If you want to turn your vision into reality, you have to give 100% and never stop
believing in your dream."
An 8 year veteran with Quantum Speed, Carts is best known for creating memorable experiences for kids on the ice. Winner of the CAC Player’s Choice Award, he rose through ranks from Peewee AA to Midget AA playing both forward and defense. Currently enrolled at the University of Alberta, Carter is fluent in both Cantonese and Mandarin.
Ross Encarnacao
Lead Instructor
"I enjoy being the middle man between the lead instructor and the players."
Rossy BB has spent over 13 years with Quantum Speed as a skater, demonstrator, and junior instructor. He has an uncanny ability to connect with each skater personally as he provides 1 on 1 feedback on their performance. He is a recipient of the SSAC Bantam Sportsmanship and Excellence Award, and earned 3 different scholarships in 2019.
Marissa Graham
Instructor
My last 3 seasons have been spent playing professional hockey in Sweden and Austria. Prior to heading overseas, I played for Brock University in the OUA while completing my Honors Bachelor of Business Administration and earning the U SPORTS Academic all Canadian award for 3 consecutive years. During my first year in Sweden, I completely my Certified Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning specialization certificates.
My background playing elite level hockey from Bantam AAA for the Sherwood Park Kings Club to professionally in Europe along with my educational achievements has given me the experience needed to help the future generation of athletes develop their game both on and off the ice.
Chris Verdon
Instructor
A Skilled player, gifted instructor and inspiring leader
During his Minor Hockey career Chris played at the AAA at every level.
Quantum Speed has been privileged to train and support Chris since 2006 in bringing his teaching and stickhandling magic across the Country and to our Crew!
Coach and Instruction experience:
-1998-2005 Turcotte Stickhandling instructor and Head instructor
-Quantum Speed Apprenticeship 2006- Grad
-2006- present Quantum Speed Head Stickhandling Q3 instructor
-2020- present- Skills coach at Louis-Riel Hockey Academy- Ottawa, Ontario
-2022- ongoing Ice Academy of Montreal- Quantum Speed training instructor
During the season, not only does he work with teams and individuals on and off the ice, but he is also a respected classroom teacher specializing in children with special needs. A testament to his grit and tenacity Chris has survived a battle with cancer and is ready to get back on the ice with Quantum Speed in Edmonton and Vancouver!
James Hamblin
Instructor
"Working for Quantum Speed gives me the opportunity to give back to a community that has given me so much."
Currently playing in the AHL for the Bakersfield Condors in the Edmonton Oilers system, James is the former Captain of the Medicine Hat Tigers, the U16 Team Alberta and the U17 Team Canada White, the
“Hammer” was awarded the Unsung Hero Award, Hardest Worker and Top Defensive Forward, Most Points Most Goals Leadership Award, and has won multiple MVP Awards among others. He is a Canada Winter Games Silver Medalist and won Gold the at the U17 World Hockey Championships.
Koletrane Wilson
Instructor
"Physical doesn’t matter if you don’t have the mental."
Willy is known for giving back to both the game and people who helped develop him into the person and player he is today. With 4 years of coaching experience under his belt for Quantum Speed, Koletrane has been recognized by the AMHL as their Defenseman of the Year, and Community Player of the Month for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL. Currently playing in the Calgary Flames system, Kole continue to work towards his goal of playing in the NHL.
Andrew Hunt
Instructor
Andrew has been skating with Quantum speed for 7 years and demonstrating/instructing for 6. He is currently playing for Carleton University while completing a degree in Mathematics.
Sage Taylor
Instructor
Sage started skating at 2 years old and started playing hockey shortly after that. She has played in the AAA EFAC league and U18AAA. She participates and enjoys the Hockey Alberta events, including the Winter Games, and Challenge Cups.
Sage is studying at the University of Alberta, taking a Bachelor Of Science, Majoring in Biological sciences.
“I have always strived to be the best skater I can be. The Quantum Speed Q3 program helped me reach that goal.
I love kids and being a Quantum Speed instructor gives me the opportunity to help them reach their skating goals. I aspire to be a top role model for younger people in the sport and always find a way to help”
Naisha Naik
Instructor
"The greatest part about being an instructor is seeing small changes make the biggest impacts"
Naisha has been playing hockey since the age of five, and is currently playing in the AJFHL. She has been skating with Quantum Speed since the age of 8 before joining the team as a demonstrator in 2018. Currently, Naisha is enrolled at the University of Alberta working towards a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
Tristan Zarsky
Instructor
Having participated and worked with Quantum Speed for over 10 years, Tristan is familiar with the foundations, systems and qualities that make a great skater, player, and person on and off the ice. With his professionalism, work ethic and eagerness to learn, Tristan has risen through the ranks of hockey, making stops at SSAC, OHA Edmonton, the Blackfalds Bulldogs of the AJHL, and the Shreveport Mudbugs of the NAHL.
With each organization he joins he makes an impact, having previously been honored with Community Hero and Fan Favorite Awards in the AJHL, the Most Committed to Excellence and Top Academic Awards with OHA Edmonton, and the Sportsmanship & Excellence Award with SSAC.
Daniel Starosta
Alumni Instructor
"I am constantly being challenged to learn new skills and stretched in ways that I didn't think were possible."
Danny “Demo” has been skating with Quantum Speed since he was 8 years old. With a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Alberta, a graduate of the CanPowerSkate Coaching Course, and the experience as both a forward and defenceman, Daniel brings a keen eye and a specific set of skills to the program. The recipient of the 2007 Players Choice Award, Danny has extensive CAC Midget AAA, AJHL and ACAC experience.
Melanie Thomas
Alumni Instructor
"I love working with like-minded, high performance colleagues to support skaters in whatever they need to be their best."
With a Masters of Science in Athletic Administration, and a 6 year stint as a Physical Education Instructor and Athletic Director, “Diablo” has a special knack for setting souls on fire. A 2012 1st Line Allstar, Mel has played Ringette for Team Canada and Team USA as well as SM League Finland. She has won gold in the 2012 Canadian Ringette Championships and has coaching experience in both hockey and ringette.
Vanessa Hettinger
Consulting Instructor
Vanessa has built her career on helping skaters find their edge. Her career highlights include working with thousands of athletes from novice to pro, and winning 3 WHL championships and a Memorial Cup Championship as Skating Coach with 3 WHL organizations (Edmonton Oil Kings 2007 2014, Tri-City Americans 2007-2014, and Swift Current Broncos 2017-2018). She is the first and only female skating coach awarded a Memorial Cup Ring (Edmonton Oil Kings in 2013).
LEGACY Q CREW
At Quantum Speed, we’re proud to have trained some of the best in the business!
- Blayze Bruyer
- Tina Caron
- Tammy Coley
- Marius Grandahl
- Sandy Harding-Cooney
- Riley Kieser
- George Koehler
- Blake Leask
- Michael Majnarich
- Britney Millar
- Ramona Muni
- Drew Nichol
- Montanna Noyes
- Michele Pacholka
- Zach Paterson
- Dan Peacocke
- David Pelletier
- Craig Priestley
- Colby Sissons
- Sean Skinner
- Tara Swanson
- Barb Underhill
- Chris Verdon
- Ryan Wilkinson
- Madison Willan
- Klarc Wilson
- Leah Wygiera