Our Team
Joe Sundgren
Joe is the Founder/Lead Instructor of X-Factor Hockey. He grew up playing hockey in the Austin, Texas area before continuing his career into the high level ranks of Junior Hockey and committing to play for St. Olaf College (NCAA DIII) in Minnesota. Upon graduation, he was the Assistant Coach for the 15u hockey team at St. Louis Park in Minnesota. With a focus on skills/skating development of the youth hockey program. Since moving back to Austin, TX, he continues his passion in training/developing hockey players at all age groups. Which includes coaching hockey players at all youth levels (8U-18U: A, AA, and AAA), all Junior Hockey tiers, College, and Pro levels.
Brenden Rons
Brenden is from Farmington Hills, Michigan where he fell in love with hockey at the age of 5. In high school, he played for the Oakland Jr Grizzlies AAA program. In the 2018-2019 season, Brenden served as team captain of the Topeka Pilots in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). After his 3 year junior career in the NAHL and USHL, Brenden went on to play NCAA D1 hockey for Ferris State University. After completing one final season with NCAA D1 Lindenwood University, he began his professional playing career. In the 2024-2025 season, Brenden spent time in the ECHL and SPHL, primarily with the Worcester Railers and the Peoria Rivermen.
Josh Malin
Joshua native of Sherwood, Oregon brings a wealth of knowledge and passion coaching.
Joshua played junior hockey in the NA3HL then moved to the EHL where he decided to spend his collegiate time at Liberty University. During his time there he contributed to 3 National Championship runs while serving as an assistant captain his final year with the team.
Cody Depourcq
Currently coming off his first year as an assistant coach with AMHA. Cody has an incredible hockey background beginning with his 4 years of Junior A hockey in the BCHL for the Penticton Vees. Which includes winning the Canadian National Championship, setting a North American record of 42 consecutive wins, and in addition leading as Captain before committing to play 4 years of Division 1 Ice Hockey at Bentley University in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. Over his career, Cody spent 6 years training/coaching at the well known Okanagan Hockey School in Power Skating and On-Ice Skills Development.
Renae Sundgren
Renae has coached elite level hockey players & figure skaters for the past 38 years. In 2000 she started the well known Power Plus Hockey program to educate hockey players on the importance/detail of power, skating skills, strength, and agility. Overall, Renae has an exceptional track record working with teams and individuals including; Dallas Jr. Stars, DJHA Penguins, Texas Jr. Stars/Austin Roadrunners Hockey Organizations, UT Hockey Club, and in addition private hockey lessons with players at the A, AA, AAA, College, and Pro hockey levels.
Sam Smith
Canadian-born and Texas-raised. Sam had an early introduction to hockey, beginning at age 5 in Calgary, Alberta. However, his hockey career truly began in Dallas, Texas where he climbed through the youth hockey ranks playing for the U16 and U18 AAA Texas Attack programs. Sam went on to play one year for the U18 AAA P.F. Chang’s team out of Scottsdale, Arizona which led to a two-year junior career in Boston with the Valley Jr. Warriors of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), where he served as Captain during the 2010-2011 season. After a successful junior career, Sam committed to playing NCAA Division III hockey at Gustavus Adolphus College logging 78 games over 4 years and leading his teams to 3 consecutive MIAC conference championships, winning one in 2012. Sam credits his advancement in hockey to his passion and love for the game which created an innate drive for continuous improvement. He is excited to share that with the local hockey players in Austin.
Goalie Coaches
Jack Leavy
Jack is from Birmingham, MI where he began playing hockey at the age of 4, and became a goalie when he turned 11. During high school, Jack played AAA hockey for the Oakland Jr Grizzlies. Upon graduation he played the next 2 years of junior hockey in the NAHL, where Jack was then recruited to play for the University of Michigan (NCAA D1). During his senior year (2021-2022) they won the Big Ten Championship and making it to the Frozen 4.
While at University of Michigan, Jack would spend his summers in Ann Arbor coaching at the Michigan Hockey School and private hockey lessons with the local goalies. Specializing in Goalie Coach Training and the Development of Goalies.
Strength and Conditioning
Brian Dunn
