Blog: Blackhawks' Stanley Cup victory increases interest in youth hockey

Crain's has a piece on the halo affect from the Blackhawks' success. Here is the link back:

Blackhawks' Stanley Cup victory increases interest in youth hockey | Business Of Life | Crain's Chicago Business

Of particular interest to me is the statistics from the Winnetka Hockey Club and the Evanston Wildkits:

• "Scott Kirkpatrick, president of the Evanston Wildkits, says the house club has seen a bump to about 85 players this year from 65, with most new players just 5 or 6 years old."
  
• "Michael Glynn, president of the Northern Illinois Hockey League, with 39 Chicago-area teams, says about 200 new players have joined this year, bringing membership to 4,000."
  
• "The Winnetka Hockey Club saw enrollment increase about 15% this season, to 450 house and 300 traveling-team members."

It should be noted that the WHC numbers include girls travel teams.  Not that it is necessary, but I have independently verified these numbers.

There are some interesting stats in there, although I assume the increase for NIHL came from adding two clubs but it is impossible to know the way it reads.  Regardless, Chicago Area Youth Hockey Blog is ecstatic to see youth hockey thriving.