What We Are

A Hockey Career
Advisory Team.

Ascend Talent Management & Family Advising is a hockey career advisory and athlete development firm. Every athlete is backed by an advisory team of five dedicated professionals — combining direct advocacy, career oversight, and a development team of current and former professional hockey players to help players develop, position themselves, and advance to higher levels of competition.

Direct Advocacy

We represent athletes directly with coaches, scouts, and general managers — opening doors and creating opportunities across North America and Europe.

Mentorship & Accountability

Each athlete's growth is overseen through personalized training plans, 1-on-1 accountability, and ongoing mentorship — development planning that evolves with your career.

Athlete Development

A dedicated team of current and former professional hockey players builds your game through video analysis, position-specific feedback, hockey IQ, off-ice strength & conditioning, and recurring 1-on-1 mentorship.

Principal-Led Advisory

The Ascend Leadership

The professionals advising your career aren't junior associates — they're the leadership of the firm itself, backed by a dedicated development team of current and former professional hockey players.

Managing partner

Mitchell Jancerak

Business & Operations

Mitchell founded Ascend Talent Management & Family Advising after experiencing firsthand the shortcomings of the traditional advisory model. As a competitive player, he saw talented athletes overlooked, misled, and underserved by firms that prioritized volume and profit margins over relationships and results.

Combining an entrepreneurial resume with a deep understanding of the player journey, Mitchell designed Ascend around a simple principle: put the player first. He oversees client relationships, business development, and the systems that ensure every athlete receives personalized guidance, transparent communication, and meaningful opportunities.

His goal was never simply to build another advisory firm; it was to create the kind of organization players and families can trust with their future.

Mitchell Jancerak

Mitchell Jancerak

Managing Partner

Zane Kalemba

Zane Kalemba

Senior Partner

Talk to Zane: Text +1 (201) 407-2844
Director of Hockey Operations & Strategic Partnerships

Zane Kalemba

Hockey & Player Development

Zane is a former NCAA All-American at Princeton University, his playing career included time with the Winnipeg Jets organization and professional seasons across Europe. He knows what elite looks like — because he lived it.

Today, Zane serves as an active scout in the USHL and NAHL, combining tier-one coaching experience with a network that spans junior, college, and professional hockey on multiple continents. Zane opens the doors for our clients. His relationships with coaches, GMs, and decision-makers across North America and Europe are what put Ascend players in the rooms that matter.

He has represented players at some of the highest levels of the sport and his commitment to their success doesn't end at placement, with his clients often coming back for 2-3 seasons.

NCAA All-American – PrincetonNCAA D1 CoachUSHL & NAHL ScoutEuropean Pro ExperienceTier-1 Coaching Background
The Development Team

Built By Professional Players.

Ascend's development is led by a dedicated team of current and former professional hockey players — building every athlete's game alongside our career advisory team.

WIT Hockey partnership

In partnership with

WIT Hockey

Services

  • Position-specific feedback
  • Video analysis
  • Skill development priorities
  • Hockey IQ development
  • College-level insight
  • Professional-level video review
  • Preparing athletes for higher levels

Ran by active NCAA D1 and ECHL players

Current collegiate and professional players bring firsthand experience from the levels athletes are working toward. Their perspective connects position-specific coaching and video review to the habits, decisions, and skills demanded at the next level.

Zero Klub Hockey partnership

In partnership with

Zero Klub Hockey

Services

  • Junior hockey expectations
  • Scouting insight
  • Goaltender video analysis
  • Recruiting preparation
  • Career mentorship

Ran by Zane Kalemba

A former professional goaltender and NCAA All-American at Princeton, Zane is an active USHL and NAHL scout who works alongside NCAA Division I programs. He helps athletes understand what coaches and scouts look for and how to prepare for the next step in their hockey careers.

Spetz Performance partnership

In partnership with

Spetz Performance

Services

  • Strength & conditioning
  • Athletic performance programming
  • Goal setting
  • Accountability
  • On-ice development planning
  • Video analysis

Ran by Charlie Spetz

A former AHL and ECHL professional, Charlie brings firsthand experience of the North American pro path to athlete development. His work focuses on structured training, performance, and accountability.

The Ascend Difference

Built Differently.
Every Single Player.

Career advisory and athlete development led by an advisory team of professional hockey players — delivered together for the first time.

Pillar One

Career Advisory & Advocacy.

We advise on every aspect of your career — identifying opportunities, navigating trades and transfers, and providing relentless advocacy with coaches and GMs who know us personally.

Full-service career advisory from first call to signed contract
Direct relationships with GMs and coaches across North America and Europe
Contract negotiation, transfer coordination, and roster navigation
Family advising included from day one
We stay in your corner long after placement
Pillar Two

Development Oversight & Mentorship.

Each athlete's growth is overseen through structured, long-term development planning — ensuring your game evolves at every stage of your career.

Dedicated development oversight on every engagement
Structured, individualized development plans
Mentorship spanning on-ice skill, mental performance, and life skills
Age-appropriate development strategy from junior through pro
Ongoing check-ins and accountability throughout the season
Pillar Three

Athlete Development & Mentorship.

Your game is built by a dedicated team of current and former professional hockey players — delivered through video analysis, position-specific feedback, hockey IQ, off-ice strength & conditioning, and recurring 1-on-1 mentorship.

Video analysis and position-specific feedback
Hockey IQ development and skill & development priorities
Off-ice strength & conditioning programming built for hockey
Goal setting, accountability, and a 1-on-1 meeting environment
Mentorship from current and former professional players
What Sets Us Apart

No other firm combines these capabilities — career advisory, advocacy, and a dedicated team of professional players. Most give you one advisor and a placement. Ascend gives you an advisory team of five dedicated professionals.

An advisory team of five dedicated professionals
Principal-led: advised by the Managing Partner, never junior staff
No templates, no shortcuts — every strategy is built for you specifically
Credibility built over a decade across every level of the game
Ascend

Ready to Work
With the Best?

You've seen who we are and what we stand for. Now let's talk about what we can do for your career. The first call is free — and it could be the most important one you make.

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Ascend

Hockey career advisory and athlete development — led by an advisory team of current and former professional hockey players, for players serious about advancing to the next level.

A division of Ascend Athletic Group

© 2026 Ascend Athletic Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Talent Management · Family Advising · Athlete Development