Tough Cut Hockey Company was created to provide an essential but often overlooked service to hockey players (and figure skaters!) in Nashville, TN --precision skate sharpening and blade profiling at a competitive, non-discriminatory price. We will be soft launching our skate sharpening and profiling services in spring of 2025.

By offering a service everyone needs, we hope to build and strengthen the greater hockey community in Nashville and beyond.

To further engage with our skaters, we intend on offering various clinics and events throughout the year. Our goal is to be a neutral party that unites programs across Nashville through a shared love of the game (and being at the rink and on the ice!).

The 10U-12U age group targets A-AAA hockey players. While we acknowledge the skill gap in these three levels, we are confident in our ability to differentiate the instruction in a way that is beneficial to all participants. ProStride is truly an elite program, but we will have the resources to help those who need different attention. When it comes to 3v3, talent will be evenly distributed, creating a fun, supportive atmosphere that remains competitive. It's summer time, and we want fun to be engrained in the mission.

Our 14U+15O focuses on A-AA players, though we welcome those with tier 1 experience as well. We're focused on tier II players in large part due to our emphasis on proper body contact and checking technique; as our 2012 players work their way into checking, it's important that they're on the ice with players who have some experience, but we want to closely balance the overall speed and skill to ensure proper player safety.

To meet the needs of 15O + 16U + 18U tier 1 players, we're hoping to add a 3 night mini clinic in the evenings so that more players can take advantage of ProStride's visit to Nashville this year. If you're interested in that, please e-mail us here.

If your player does not have travel experience but you think he/she may be up for the challenge, please reach out to bo@toughcut.co to discuss.

Yes, our camps are open to travel-level players (A-AAA) from all programs, so long as the player is in good standing within their organization. We are a relatively small entity focused on creating a fun, exciting learning experience during the summer, and we cannot risk bringing players into the mix who may disrupt the experience. Tough Cut Hockey Company reserves the right to turn away registrants based on these parameters. A full refund will be given prior to first day of camp to any player who registers but does not meet the “good standing” criteria for enrollment. 

The "IQ Clinic" is open to 2013, 2014, and 2015 birth years (2016's pending approval). The “Contact Clinic" is open to 2010, 2011, and 2012 birth years.

If your player does not have travel experience but you think he/she may be up for the challenge, please reach out to bo@toughcut.co to discuss.

No. Tough Cut Hockey Company is an independent small business. In addition to being a skate sharpening shop and hockey brand, it offers clinics to players from all programs looking to strengthen their skating, develop their hockey IQ, and have fun competing.

No —the camp is designed around the concept of “positionless” hockey, meaning that when players work together to fill lanes, attack open space, and create triangles, “positional” play starts to occur more organically. As the game evolves and as defenseman become more and more involved in the offense, these concepts apply to all skaters.

Regarding goalies —new in 2025, there WILL be goalie specific instruction. In addition to the 90 min per day of small-group goalie instruction, goalies will benefit from the player iq sessions and daily 3v3 competions.

• 12 hours of on-ice instruction (3 hours per day)
• Jersey

Yes —all players must supply and properly wear their own, full, legal equipment, including neck guards! As USA HOCKEY has made neck guards mandatory for the 2024-2025 season, summer is an opportune time for players to begin making the adjustment to wearing one properly. 

Food is NOT provided, though we encourage players to bring their own water bottle and healthy snacks to be eaten while the ice gets resurfaced between sessions. 

Tough Cut operates with a strict NO REFUND policy for clinics and events, though exceptions can be made for documented medical issues.  Any other refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Deposits are non-refundable.

Conversely, should Tough Cut need to cancel a clinic for any reason (insufficient registrations, issues with rink, etc.), all registrants will be notified 20 days prior to the start date of the event and full refunds will be issued.