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 Squires (Learn to Skate) and Little Knights (Learn to Play) programs embrace the American Development Model (ADM) for teaching children how to play hockey. We're proud to continue our 60 plus year tradition of developing young players by offering three convenient sessions during the year. Each session will offer both the Little Squires and Little Knights programs tailored to your player's abilities.

This program is designed for young pre-k, kindergartners, and new-to-skating first through third grader boys and girls who are interested in learning to skate. It is focused on creating a welcoming environment to foster a love for the player’s time spent on the ice. Our goal is for the players to learn the most basic skating skills while having fun.

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

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 at the link below.  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 each session is 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 Squires Learn to Skate program?   All you need to get started in our LTS classes is a helmet with face guard, neck guard and ice skates. Hockey equipment (excluding skates and neck guard) in limited sizes is available to rent; please contact Darcy Folliard at the address below for more information.  Players may wear their own jerseys or may purchase a reversible St. Jude jersey also used by the Little Knights Learn to Play program for $50.  If your player has a green/white reversible jersey from last season that fits, they do not need to purchase another reversible jersey. 

Who may participate? The St. Jude Learn to Skate program is open to players born in 2018 through 2011 interested in learning to skate.

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).

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

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.