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) . 

• Boys 8U Mites through 14U Bantams and Girls Only U10 levels.  12U and 14U girls are welcome to join and will play on co-ed teams.   Spring begins the new age divisions so the levels will be defined as:
  • 8U Mite:  2010 & 2011 birth years
  • 10U Squirt:  2008 & 2009 birth years
  • 12U PeeWee:  2006 & 2007 birth years
  • 14U Bantam: 2004 & 2005 birth years
• Each team will play approximately 9 practices
• Jersey fee of $35 for those needing a St. Jude reversible jersey  (current St. Jude players can use their 2017-18 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 including tryouts is $455 per player, $295 per goalie for all levels except 10U Girls.   10U Girls cost will be $490 per skater, $315 per goalie as their cost includes one local tournament in May. 

• April 7th - SWSL Spring Play Begins
• May 19th - SWSHL Play Concludes
• June 1st - 3rd - SWSL Round Robbin
• Weekend of June 8th - SWSL Championship Games

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 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 both boys and girls  tournament teams as detailed below.

BOYS TOURNAMENT TEAMS

• 2009 through 2005 birth specific teams & 16U and 18U teams.
• Teams will participate in 2 "AA" level tournaments in the Chicagoland area:
  • Windy City Classic - April 27th - 29th
  • Chicago Shoot-Out - May 4th - 6th
• Note:  Boys teams will play under "Shamrock Hockey" due to non-USA Hockey sanctioned tournaments. 

GIRLS TOURNAMENT TEAMS

• 12U, 14U and 16U level teams
• Teams will participate in 2 level tournaments:
  • Spring Scramble in Troy, MI - April 13th - 15th
  • Dragons Lair in Chicagoland - May 18th - 20th

• Each tournament team will play in 2 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 $420 per player, $270 per goalie.

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

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 (2005's) must complete 2 hours of checking clinics BEFORE they begin play in the 2018 Spring Season.  This applies to both skaters and goalies on co-ed teams.

Checking Clinics will be run by St. Jude Hockey Director and Girls Coordinator  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 14U Bantams (2004 and 2005 birth years) and second year 12U Pee Wees (2006 birth years).  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 two.

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.  Spring leagues (Southwest Spring League (SWSL)) will play full-ice at all levels in Spring 2018.  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 2008 through 2011 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. 

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

• 14 fun skates
• Designed for players born in 2010 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 2 days per week  from early April  to May 20th.  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 $ per player. 

Space is limited.

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

• 6 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.

Space is limited.

Learn to Skate participants will be divided into two groups - beginners and advanced. 

Learn to Skate will take place on the SIA Studio Rink on SUNDAYS from April 8th - May 13th.

Beginners - 930-1010am ($75)

Advanced - 1010-1110am($90)

• 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,