FUN! FUN! FUN!  This spring take a break from clinics and structured skates and enjoy the benefits of fast-paced 3-on-3 half-ice games where the primary emphasis is on having fun.   This recreational program will allow players to mix up their positions and work on their small ice game in a fun environment.

• Spring 3-on-3 is being offered for Mite through Bantam players, based on Winter 2015 season age brackets, plus 2009s.
• There will be 4 levels of play, and 4 teams per level, so space is limited.
• Teams will be assigned with balanced abilities.  Teams will be assigned by Jackie Kooistra, AJ Hernacki and Paul Manning.
• Players will register as individuals.
• Each team will play sixteen 25-minute games between March 1st and Mar 26th. Each game day will consist of two games played back-to-back.  Games will be played half-ice with two games taking place simultaneously

Teams are limited - register early.

Cost is $100 per skater, $50 per goalie.

This clinic is for the player that has completed St. Jude's Little Knights Learn to Play program and is ready to progress to team-play in the spring season.  Both spring leagues (Southwest Spring League (SWSL) and Northwest Hockey League (NWHL)) will play full-ice at all levels in Spring 2016.  This clinic will prepare players for elements of full-ice play such as off-sides, line-ups, shift changes, rules, etc... while also building their endurance and stamina.

• 4 full-ice skates
• for birth year 2004 through 2009 players who have never played on an organized team
• The class will meet on the following nights at Southwest Ice Arena (SIA)

Cost is $50 per player. 

Spring League teams provide an opportunity for players to continue to play team-based hockey during the spring season.  St. Jude spring teams will participate in either the Southwest Spring Hockey League (SWSL) or Northwest Hockey League (NWHL). 

• Boys Mites through Bantams and Girls Only U10, U12 and U14 levels.  Spring begins the new age divisions so the levels will be defined as:
  • Mite:  2008 & 2009 birth years
  • Squirt:  2006 & 2007 birth years
  • PeeWee:  2004 & 2005 birth years
  • Bantam: 2002 & 2003 birth years
• Each team will play approximately 9 games
• Each team will have approximately 8 practices
• Jersey fee of $35 for those needing a St. Jude reversible jersey  (current St. Jude players can use their 2015-16 reversible jersey if it fits and is in good condition).

A limited number of spots will be available for these teams.  All St. Jude spring league teams are selected on a tryout basis with teams tiered by abilities and not balanced abilities. 

Team practices will begin in late March.

Cost is $375 per player, $200 per goalie.  

Information on the leagues can be found at the following links:

Southwest Spring Hockey League (SWSL)

Northwest Hockey League (NWHL)

• April 1st - NWHL Spring Play Begins
• April 6th - SWSL Spring Play Begins
• May 22nd - NWHL & SWSHL Play Concludes
• May 27th - June 5th - NWHL Spring Tournament
• June 3rd - 5th - SWSL Round Robbin
• June 11th - SWSL Championship Games

All players, regardless of level, skill or regular season club, must attend spring tryouts to be placed on a spring tournament or league team.

Cost is as follows:

Players who tryout for a tournament team and are not placed on a team do not need to pay another tryout fee to participate in league team tryouts. 

Schedule is subject to change - please verify times/dates as it gets closer to tryouts.

As an alternative to Spring League Play, St. Jude will also offer Spring Tournament Teams.  Players are encouraged to participate in either Spring League play OR the tournament teams, but not both.

Spring Tournament Teams provide players seeking a higher level of competition an opportunity to compete in local tournaments during the spring season.  Please note that tournament teams are highly competitive and not all players who tryout will be selected to a tournament team. 

St. Jude will sponsor tournament teams at the Squirt, PeeWee and Bantam levels and Girls Only tournament teams at the U12 and U14 levels.

• Squirts will be 2006 & 2007 birth years.  PeeWees will be 2004 & 2005 birth years.  Bantams will be 2003 & 2002 birth years.
• Each tournament team will play in 2 local tournaments.
• Each team will get at least 2 practices prior to each tournament.
• All participants must be willing to commit to BOTH tournaments.  Tournament team fee will not be pro-rated.

Cost is $400 per player, $200 per goalie.

The Squirt AA and A tournament teams will compete in the following tournaments:

April 22 - 24, 2016 -  STX Chi Town Shuffle (aka “Bresy”)

May 20 - 22, 2016 - MyHockey Tournaments Spring Classic

The Bantam A tournament team will compete in the following tournaments:

April 22 - 24, 2016 - MyHockey Chicago Spring Classic Tournament

May 13--15, 2016 - Big Bear Dragon's Lair Tournament

The PeeWee A tournament team will compete in the following tournaments:

April 22 - 24, 2016 - MyHockey Chicago Spring Classic Tournament

May 20 - 22, 2016 - MyHockey Tournaments Spring Classic

The Girls U12 and U14 tournament teams will compete in the following tournaments:

April 22 - 24, 2016 - STX Chi Town Shuffle (aka “Bresy”)

May 2016 - TBD

All players making a tournament team must commit to participate in BOTH tournaments for their level.

All players, regardless of level, skill or regular season club, must attend spring tryouts to be placed on a spring tournament or league team.

Cost is as follows:

Players who tryout for a tournament team and are not placed on a team do not need to pay another tryout fee to participate in league team tryouts. 

Schedule is subject to change - please verify times/dates as it gets closer to tryouts.

All first year Bantams (2003's) must attend a checking clinic BEFORE they begin play in the 2016 Spring Season.

Checking Clinics will be run by St. Jude Assistant Hockey Director AJ Hernacki along with additional St. Jude instructors.

Checking Clinics will feature the following concepts:

• Proper balance and stance in order to receive a check and give a check.
• Using the boards to brace yourself when being checked.
• Proper angles to use when checking.
• Proper technique to give and receive a check:
  • Hands and sticks down!
  • Keeping head up and not ducking or leaning into the boards.

This clinic is recommended for all Bantams and second year Pee Wees.  Players will be paired up by size when checking.

Cost of the clinic is $50 per player, $25 to repeat clinic if a player previously completed a St. Jude checking clinic.

Registration fee covers participation in all clinics offered; players must participate in at least one.

St. Jude will be offering a spring Little Knights Learn to Play session.

• 21 fun skates
• Designed for players born in 2008 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.
• Program will meet typically 3 days per week, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from April 2nd to May 22nd.  Exact schedule to be available soon.

For additional information and the calendar of skates, please visit St. Jude's Learn to Play page.

Cost is $420 per player.  Early Bird Special is $375 for those registering by March 15th.

Space is limited.

St. Jude will offer a spring Learn to Skate session in April through May.

• 8 engaging sessions
• Effective skating skills infused in the program to develop future hockey players
• Designed for players aged 3-8.  (all players must be 3 years old)
• All skating sessions will be on the Studio Rink at Southwest Ice Arena.  This small-ice environment is skater-friendly for beginners.

Cost is $120 per player.  Early Bird Special is $100 for those registering by March 15th.

Space is limited.

• To obtain USA Hockey insurance go to www.usahockey.com
• Click on Membership at the top of the page,
• Choose Register Online from the pull down screen,
• Choose – Ice Players & Coaches,

For more information please contact AJ Hernacki at (708) 990-9073 or via email at alexhernacki@gmail.com