Spring Hockey Roundup - Chicago Area Youth Hockey

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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Spring Hockey Roundup

Most players hang up their skates when the playoffs end at some point in February or March.  Every player should strongly consider playing baseball or some other sport in the spring.  Over specialization in only one sport has been shown to be detrimental to athletic development.  However, spring hockey can be beneficial for certain players who are looking to move up a level next season. 

Since spring hockey information is starting to trickle on to hockey club websites, I've put together this roundup to help you make an informed decision.  There are two competitive spring leagues:  Southwest Spring League (SWSL) and the Northwest Hockey League's Spring League (NWSL).  In addition, some clubs offer tournament only teams.  Unless you know what you are getting, such as an excellent coach, I would encourage you to be skeptical of programs charging too much in excess of $20 per sheet (game or practice).

Here is what I've found so far:



Skill Development Only

Vikings

The Vikings have a Mite only skill development program that will run for 8 weeks on Monday and Wednesday nights beginning April 5.  At $300, that is only $18.75 per sheet.

Vikings_Mite_Skill_Development_Spring_2011.pdf

St Jude Knights

St Jude offers a 10 session Knight FOCUS camp for the spring.  FOCUS = fun, off ice, cross ice, uptempo skill instruction.  Dates and price will be announced at a later date.

http://www.stjudehockey.org/news_article/show/76682?referrer_id=207748



Skill Development + SWSL

St Jude Knights

St Jude offers a combination of their FOCUS camp and 10 off ice sessions, 5 team practices, 10 goalie clinics and 9 SWSL games.  Dates and price will be announced at a later date.

http://www.stjudehockey.org/news_article/show/76682?referrer_id=207748

Admirals

The Admirals have announced only a price ($645 including tryout fee) and tryout dates (March 15 & 16).  All divisions are included (Mites up to Midget Major).  There will be team practices and skills sessions with Coach Imes, but no word on how many.  If there aren't at least 10 of each, look elsewhere for a better deal.

Admirals SWSL Flyer

Cyclones

The Cyclones spring program will inlude 12 practices, 10 powerskate or goalie clinics, 9 SWSL games.  Tryouts are on March 14 and 16.  All of this for $675, or a reasonable $21.77 per sheet.  Midgets get the program for $575, and goalies receive a 40% discount.  Register before March 1st and get a further $100 discount, bringing the total down to $18.55 per sheet.

Cyclones Spring Registration Packet

Hawks

The Chicago Hawks bring back their Premier Development Series, this time with the Chicago Mission's Anders Sorensen.  The spring program includes 4 tryouts, 16 skills sessions with Anders and the Mission coaches, 4 split ice practices, and 8 SWSL games.  At $575 for Mites and Squirts and $595 for PeeWees and Bantams, plus a $75 tryout fee, you get 32 ice slots at a $20.31 per sheet rate ($20.93 for PeeWees/Bantams).  Midgets get 24 slots at $395.

Chicago_Hawks_Spring_Hockey_2011

Huskies

The Huskies offer up a price competitive program with 10 team practices, 10 skills sessions with Coach Imes, and 8 SWSL games.  The $575 price tag includes tryouts (Mites through Bantams).  Let's say you go to two tryouts, so 30 sheets brings you a decent $19.17 per sheet.

Huskies spring 2011 information



Skill Development + NWSL

Admirals

The Admirals have announced only a price ($395) and tryout dates (March 18 & 19).  Mite through Bantam divisions are included.  There will be team practices and skills sessions with Coach Imes, but no word on how many.  If there aren't at least 6 of each, look elsewhere for a better deal.

Admirals NWSL Flyer

Chiefs

The Chiefs spring program includes 12 practices, 8 NWSL games, and 3 guaranteed playoff games.  Jerseys and socks are not included, but returning Chiefs players are probably set.  The costs are $375 for Mite, $525 for Squirt, and $550 for PeeWee through Midget.  The total is a $16.31 steal for Mites but a less appetizing $23.91 per sheet for the older skaters.  Pay in full by March 1 for a $50 discount, which lessens the pain ($21.74 per sheet).

Chiefs Spring Registration Information

Bulldogs

McFetridge Bulldogs are putting together a program at Heartland Ice Arena that includes 8 practices, 4 skills sessions, and "6+" games.  The cost of the program is only $350 for Mites through Midgets.  Presumably they will participate in the NWSL, but I've used their numbers to calculate a $19.44 per sheet cost.

Bulldogs_spring_flyer

Panthers

The spring program in Franklin park includes 10 practices plus evaluations, 8 NWSL games, and end of season tournament.  A jersey is included in the price of $305 for Mites and Squirts, $325 for PeeWees, and $345 for Bantams and Midgets.  The cost per sheet ranges from $13.86 to $15.68 depending on division.

FP Spring League 2011



Skill Development + NSSL

Maulers

The Maulers have not posted details of their spring program other that tryouts start March 18, games will be played in the North Shore Spring League, and everything will be wrapped up by Memorial Day.  Prices start at $395 for Mites, $450 for Squirts and PeeWees, and $475 for Bantam.  There is a $25 discount for signing up prior to February 28.  These prices cannot be evaluated on a price per sheet basis without more information coming out on the program.

Maulers Spring Registration Form 2011



Skill Development + Tournament

Blues

Chicago Blues have put forth a tournament only spring program that includes 2 one hour tryouts, 14 practices, 2 goalie clinics, and a spring jersey.  Tryouts begin on March 15.  The price is $475 for skaters, $325 for gaolies, and does not inlcude a $75 tryout fee.  The total is a whopping $27.50 per sheet!

Blues Spring Development Program


Hawks

The Chicago Hawks bring back their Premier Development Series, this time with the Chicago Mission's Anders Sorensen.  The spring program includes 4 tryouts, 16 skills sessions with Anders and the Mission coaches, 4 split ice practices, and 2 tournaments.  At $575 for Mites and Squirts and $595 for PeeWees and Bantams, plus a $75 tryout fee, you get 32 ice slots at a $20.31 per sheet rate ($20.93 for PeeWees/Bantams).  Midgets get 24 slots at $395.




I wil continue to add information as it comes out.  Please feel free to submit your club's information to us.


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