COMING SOON. . .
L. E. A. D.
BIO
CHRIS LaCOMBE
DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY
Meet Chris LaCombe, our Director of Hockey. With decades of experience as a CAA Agent in hockey player representation, over 25 years of coaching youth teams, and a deep understanding of hockey families, Chris is a seasoned expert in all aspects of player development and advancement.
At UNRL, Chris brings his extensive knowledge and connections to help our players reach their full potential. As Director of Hockey, he provides personalized guidance and support, helping our players navigate the complex world of hockey advancement and achieve their hockey career goals.His experience and expertise make him an invaluable asset to the UNRL team, and his deep connections in the industry provide our players with unparalleled opportunities for advancement.
With Chris on your side, you can be sure that you are getting the very best in player development. His commitment to excellence, unwavering dedication to his clients, and deep understanding of the hockey industry make him a true leader in the field.
BIO
Meet Kelsey Wattenhofer, Head of School. Kelsey joined UNRL Academy in June 2026 as Head of School, where she provides strategic leadership while fostering academic excellence, student success, and a culture of growth.
Before joining UNRL Academy, Kelsey served as Assistant Director of Academics at Penn State University, supporting the nationally recognized wrestling program, men's volleyball, and field hockey. She previously held leadership roles at the University of North Dakota as Director of Learning Enhancement and at the University of Minnesota as an Assistant Athletic Academic Advisor and Learning Specialist, helping student-athletes excel both academically and personally.
Kelsey earned dual master's degrees in Human Resources and Sports Management from Briar Cliff University and bachelor's degrees in Sports Management and Business Finance from the University of Minnesota Morris, where she was a four-time all-conference student-athlete. She is an active member of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A), was recognized with the University of North Dakota's Outstanding Professional Academic Advising Award, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Sports Leadership.
Originally from Litchfield, Minnesota, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her Great Dane, Sadie.
KELSEY WATTENHOFER
HEAD OF SCHOOL
BIO
BRENDEN OLSON
HEAD HOCKEY COACH
Meet Brenden Olson, our Head Hockey Coach. Brenden is an experienced forward and leader in college hockey, making him an ideal UNRL Academy Hockey Skills Coach. A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, shoots left, and brings a well-rounded skill set developed through high-level junior and NCAA competition.
He starred at Eau Claire Memorial High School before excelling in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede (alternate captain, 10-5-15 in 47 games in 2019-20) and Sioux City Musketeers (alternate captain, 9-7-16 in 53 games in 2020-21, including a Clark Cup championship in 2018-19). At Minnesota State University (Mankato), he played four seasons as a dependable forward and contributor, appearing in 79 games with 5 goals and 5 assists while earning CCHA Scholar-Athlete honors and helping the Mavericks reach conference and NCAA tournament play.
A Business Management graduate and former Maverick, Olson combines strong on-ice fundamentals, hockey IQ, leadership from alternate captain roles, and a passion for development (hobbies include guitar, golf, and hunting). His background as a clutch performer, scholar-athlete, and pro-aspirant player positions him perfectly to mentor young athletes at UNRL Academy, focusing on skating, puck skills, decision-making, and building confidence through proven collegiate and junior experience.
UNRL ACADEMY
(part of UNRL Hockey) is a holistic program for student-athletes that combines best-in-class hockey development with academics, leadership, and character-building. It operates from a state-of-the-art facility at The Pond on Madison in Mankato, MN.
The program develops more than athletes—it creates well-rounded individuals who excel academically, athletically, and personally. Students build strong habits, compete with purpose, study with discipline, and lead with confidence.