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Learn To Play a/k/a "Little Knights"


Little Knights Learn to Play

Does your son/daughter wants to play ice hockey? Learning the proper way to ice skate is the first step for your beginning player. St. Jude Hockey Club's Little Knights Program embraces the American Development Model (ADM) for teaching boys and girls how to play hockey. We're proud to continue our 60 plus year tradition of developing young players by offering 2 convenient sessions during the 2022-2023 hockey sessions, along with a spring and summer session.

Sessions:

This season we will offer 2 regular season sessions as well as a Spring and Summer session to keep our young players skating. 

The session costs are shown on the full schedule below. 

Session 1 -  9/11 - 12/18

Session 2 - 1/6 - 3/26 

Spring Session - 3/31 - 5/21

Summer Session - TBD

 


Ready to Join St. Jude's Little Knights program?

Click the word 'Register' below to being the registration process.  At the bottom of the first information page, you will be given the opportunity to either login, if you already have an NGIN account, or create a new account.

At the conclusion of session 2, St. Jude will be offering a 3rd session for the spring season with 20 skates for the Little Knights starting at the end of March.

Spring (session 3)

  • 3 weekly sessions 
    • Friday scrimmage game night
    • Saturday skating skills session
    • Sunday hockey drill stations practice
  • Little Knights (ADM) is designed for players born in 2012 or younger who have basic skating experience. ADM (American Development Model) skill and techniques integrated into the program. All players must have full hockey gear.
  • All skating sessions will be at Southwest Ice Arena.
  • No ice on April 9th (Easter) and April 21-23 (CCM Tournament)

Winter 2023 Little Knights (ADM) - $578

Date Time Rink Date Time Rink
Friday, January 6, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA Friday, February 17, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA
Saturday, January 7, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA Saturday, February 18, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA
Sunday, January 8, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA Sunday, February 19, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA
Friday, January 13, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA Friday, February 24, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA
Saturday, January 14, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA Saturday, February 25, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA
Sunday, January 15, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA Sunday, February 26, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA
Friday, January 20, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA Friday, March 3, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA
Saturday, January 21, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA Saturday, March 4, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA
Sunday, January 22, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA Sunday, March 5, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA
Friday, January 27, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA Friday, March 10, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA
Saturday, January 28, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA Saturday, March 11, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA
Sunday, January 29, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA Sunday, March 12, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA
Friday, February 3, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA Friday, March 17, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA
Saturday, February 4, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA Saturday, March 18, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA
Sunday, February 5, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA Sunday, March 19, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA
Friday, February 10, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA Friday, March 24, 2023 6:00-7:10pm SIA
Saturday, February 11, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA Saturday, March 25, 2023 9:10-10:10am SIA
Sunday, February 12, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA Sunday, March 26, 2023 9:20-10:20am SIA

SPRING SESSION 3 - $340, EARLY BIRD PRICING $238 BY 3/1

Date Time Event Location
Friday, March 31st 6:00-7:10 PM ADM SIA
Saturday, April 1st 9:10-10:10 AM ADM SIA
Sunday, April 2nd 9:20-10:20 AM ADM SIA
Friday, April 7th 6:00-7:10 PM ADM SIA
Saturday, April 8th 9:10-10:10 AM ADM SIA
Sunday, April 9th NO ICE - EASTER NO ICE - EASTER NO ICE - EASTER
Friday, April 14th 6:00-7:10 PM ADM SIA
Saturday, April 15th 9:10-10:10 AM ADM SIA
Sunday, April 16th 9:20-10:20 AM ADM SIA
Friday, April 21st NO ICE - TOURNAMENT NO ICE - TOURNAMENT NO ICE - TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 22nd NO ICE - TOURNAMENT NO ICE - TOURNAMENT NO ICE - TOURNAMENT
Sunday, April 23rd NO ICE - TOURNAMENT NO ICE - TOURNAMENT NO ICE - TOURNAMENT
Friday, April 28th 6:00-7:10 PM ADM SIA
Saturday, April 29th 9:10-10:10 AM ADM SIA
Sunday, April 30th 9:20-10:20 AM ADM SIA
Friday, May 5th 6:00-7:10 PM ADM SIA
Saturday, May 6th 9:10-10:10 AM ADM SIA
Sunday, May 7th 9:20-10:20 AM ADM SIA
Friday, May 12th 6:00-7:10 PM ADM SIA
Saturday, May 13th 9:10-10:10 AM ADM SIA
Sunday, May 14th 9:20-10:20 AM ADM SIA
Friday, May 19th 6:00-7:10 PM ADM SIA
Saturday, May 20th 9:10-10:10 AM ADM SIA
Sunday, May 21st 9:20-10:20 AM ADM SIA

The flowchart below shows player progression for learning to skate to playing recreational/competitive hockey as part of a team.

FAQ's

How do I register my player for a session? Registration is done via our website at www.stjudehockey.org.  If you have any questions about the program or need help registering, please contact Darcy Folliard.  Please note your child must have 2022-2023 USA Hockey Insurance to participate, please click here to register with USA Hockey.

Where are the classes and how much ice time is there per session? The schedule for all sessions is listed above.  All ice sessions are at Southwest Ice Arena (SIA) in Crestwood, IL.  Session times/dates are subject to change due to ice availability.

What equipment will my player need to participate in the Little Knights Learn to Play program?   All Little Knights players must have full hockey equipment including: helmet, neck guard, shoulder/chest protector, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, sweater socks, gloves and, of course, hockey skates.  Players will not be allowed on the ice if they do not have a neck guard.  Additionally, many players like to have a mouth guard secured to their helmet so it does not fall out on the ice if they spit it out.  If you unfamiliar with any of the equipment, please contact Darcy Folliard and he will help direct you to a good source for it.  Equipment (excluding skates and neck guard) is available to rent, but limited to very small sizes.  Please contact Tony Dinnocenzo for more information on rentals.  All players will be required to purchase a reversible St. Jude jersey for $50.  One jersey will last each player all the 2022 - 2023 sessions.  If your player has a  reversible jersey from last season that still fits, they do not need to purchase another.

Who may participate? The St. Jude Little Knights Learn to Play program is open to boys and girls born in 2018 through 2011 who have successfully completed a Learn to Skate program.

What are you teaching? The Knights Coaching Staff subscribes to the American Development Model of instruction based on the foundation of play, love, and excel. Learn the basics in their simplest form- fun. If they’re having the fun, the excelling part is easy.

I am not familiar with the USA Hockey ADM model.  Where can I learn more?  Additional information on the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) can be found at www.ADMKids.com .  The St. Jude organization won 2011 Program of the Year from the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI).

 

A VIDEO ON HOW TO PUT ON HOCKEY EQUIPMENT

A GREAT VIDEO TO SHOW HOW YOUR CHILD SHOULD PUT ON HOCKEY EQUIPMENT.

Need More Info?

For more information on the Little Knights Learn to Play program, please contact Tony Dinnocenzo or Darcy Folliard.

Tony Dinnocenzo

Pre-Hockey Director

Darcy Folliard

Pre-Hockey Coordinator

Chris Cimoch Sr.

Pre-Hockey Instructor