Coaches


Melanie Jue

With an illustrious career that spans the globe and crosses multiple disciplines, Melanie Jue is not just a co-founder of Empower Hockey; she is the embodiment of the passion, expertise, and dedication that we instill in every athlete we coach. Melanie’s journey from a multi-talented athlete to an esteemed coach and mentor has been marked by notable achievements and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Athletic Excellence:

Melanie’s athletic prowess is evident from her trailblazing journey in professional and collegiate sports. As a stalwart of the Kunlun Redstar team from 2017 to 2022, Melanie not only showcased her exceptional skills on the ice but also led her team to a WHL Championship victory in 2020. Her collegiate career at Cornell University is decorated with accolades, including induction into the Cornell University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Melanie’s versatility shone through as a two-sport varsity athlete in both ice and field hockey, achieving NCAA Championship finalist status, ECAC Champion, and Ivy League Champion titles in 2010.

Her commitment to excellence was further recognized through her selections to the Ivy League All-Star Team, her status as a NFHCA All-American in college field hockey, and her significant contributions to Team Canada’s ball hockey team, culminating in three ISBHF World Championships and the 2022 Best Defender award.

Coaching Mastery:

Transitioning from athlete to coach, Melanie’s impact has been profound. With over two decades of coaching experience, she has not only served as an assistant coach for Team China at the IIHF World Championships but has also nurtured and developed over 60 athletes who have gone on to compete in NCAA Divisions I and III, and USport, within just three years. Melanie’s expertise has guided more than 20 players to their respective national team programs, showcasing her unparalleled ability to develop athletes who excel at the highest levels of competition. She owes her hockey skill development knowledge to the smartest man in hockey, Ron Johnson of Elite Hockey Science and her professional start as a coach to Scott Spencer.

Melanie’s coaching philosophy, rooted in her diverse experiences and a deep understanding of athlete development, emphasizes a holistic approach. She believes in empowering athletes with not just the technical skills, but also the strategic acumen and mental toughness required to excel both on and off the ice. Her background as a UBC High Performance and Technical Leadership graduate, coupled with her recognition as a Coaching Association of Canada Registered Professional Coach, underlines her commitment to continuous learning and leadership in the sport.

Empowering the Next Generation:

At Empower Hockey, Melanie leverages her rich tapestry of experiences to inspire and elevate female athletes. Her journey is a testament to what relentless pursuit of excellence, combined with a supportive and knowledgeable environment, can achieve. Melanie Jue is not just coaching athletes; she’s shaping future leaders, champions, and empowered women who will leave their mark on the world of hockey and beyond..

Co-founder and Head Instructor

Summary

Pro Athletic Career:

  • WHL Champion 2020

  • CWHL Clarkson Cup Runner up 2018

  • Professional Hockey player for Kunlun Redstar 2017-2022

Collegiate Career:

  • Cornell University Athletics Hall of Fame Class ‘21

  • Cornell NCAA Div I Two Sport Varsity Athlete (ice/field hockey)

  • NCAA Championship Finalist 2010

  • ECAC Champion 2010

  • Ivy League Champion 2010

  • 2x Ivy League All-Star Team selection

Other Accomplishments:

  • NFHCA All-American College Field Hockey (Mid East, Second Team)

  • 3x ISBHF World Champion Team Canada Ball Hockey

  • 2022 ISBHF World Championships Best Defender

  • 4x Member Team BC Ice Hockey and Field Hockey

Coaching Career:

  • 20+ years coaching experience

  • Team China Assistant Coach IIHF World Championships

  • Developed and placed 60+ athletes to NCAA Div I, III and USport in three years

  • Developed and coached 20+ players to respective national team programs

  • Former NCAA Div 1 Assistant Coach

  • Former CSSHL Head Coach

  • UBC High Performance and Technical Leadership Graduate

  • Coaching Association of Canada Registered Professional Coach

  • 2023 BFL Coach of the year - provincial (competitive)


Kimberly Newell, OLY

Kimberly Newell’s journey in ice hockey is a narrative of unparalleled dedication, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements that have taken her from the competitive arenas of men's AAA hockey to the grand stage of the Olympics. As the co-founder and head goalie instructor at Empower Hockey, Kimberly infuses every training session with the wisdom garnered from her diverse experiences, underpinning the ethos of perseverance, skill, and mental fortitude that Empower Hockey seeks to instill in its athletes.

Athletic Excellence:

Kimberly's career is a chronicle of exceptional accomplishments, setting her apart as one of the most decorated goalies in the sport. At the 2022 Olympics, she led with a staggering 95.5% save percentage, a testament to her skill and tenacity. Her professional tenure with the Kunlun Red Stars was marked by accolades, including the WHL's Best Goalie of the Year (2020-21) and a 2020 WHL Championship. In collegiate hockey, Kimberly's name is synonymous with greatness at Princeton University, holding records for the most career saves and wins, showcasing her pivotal role in the team’s successes.

Transition to Finance and Return to Hockey:

Kimberly's path took an intriguing turn with a successful stint in finance, working as a financial analyst at Credit Suisse, where she demonstrated her analytical prowess and work ethic. However, the call of the ice was irresistible, leading her back to her passion and to new heights in professional hockey, including playing for the first-ever Chinese professional team and excelling as an Olympian.

Coaching and Empowerment:

At Empower Hockey, Kimberly translates her journey into a coaching philosophy that emphasizes resilience, strategic thinking, and the psychological aspects of goaltending. Her approach is comprehensive, focusing not only on the technical skills required to guard the net but also on building the mental toughness essential for the high-pressure role of a goalie. Through her guidance, goalies learn to navigate the complexities of the game, harness their strengths, and elevate their performance under any circumstance.

Empowering the Next Generation:

Kimberly’s multifaceted career—from international competitions to the financial sector and back to the rink—exemplifies the Empower Hockey ethos: embracing every challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning. Her story is a powerful reminder that success is not just about talent but also about the courage to follow one’s passion, the resilience to overcome setbacks, and the determination to continuously evolve. Kimberly Newell is not merely training goalies; she’s inspiring a new generation of athletes to aim higher, push further, and dream bigger.

Co-Founder and Head Goalie Instructor

Professional Career:

  • 2022 Team China Olympian

  • Best save percentage at the 2022 Olympics (95.5%)

  • 2020-21 WHL Best Goalie of the Year (best save percentage 96.1%, best GAA 0.72, most shutouts 6, most wins 15)

  • 2020 WHL Champion

  • 2020 WHL All-Star Team selection

  • 2018-2022 professional hockey player for Kunlun Red Stars

  • 2016-18 financial analyst at Credit Suisse in New York City

  • 2015 summer financial internship at Credit Suisse in New York City

Summary

Collegiate Career:

  • All-time winningest ice hockey goalie at Princeton University

  • All-time most career saves at Princeton

  • Second all-time most career saves in ECAC history

  • Most wins in a single season at Princeton (22)

  • 2015-16 Ivy League Champion

  • 2015 NWHL inaugural draft selection by the New York Riveters

  • 2014-15 Ivy League second all-star team selection

  • 2012-16 ECAC All-Academic Team honors for all 4 years

  • 2012-16 ECAC Best Goalie of the Week selection 12 times and Best Goalie of the Month selection

  • 2012-13 Rookie of the Year award

  • 2013 Team Canada U18 World Champion

  • 2013 U18 World Championships MVP Best Goalie