Step 1 / MinorBlues Pre-Hockey

090525 - Hello Parents,

Welcome to the Chicago Blues! Our mission is to help kids build strong skating and hockey fundamentals in a fun, supportive environment, guided by USA Hockey–certified directors and instructors.

This season we’ve proudly expanded to five mite teams, and many of our Future Blues players are already skating in full-ice games! To better support development, we’re combining the MinorBlues and FutureBlues weekend sessions into one group. Over the next six weeks, players will have both Wednesday and Sat/Sun opportunities. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Wednesday MinorBlues (5:10–5:55 pm) remains the same. Six 45-minute sessions for $108.
2. Saturday/Sunday sessions. (8am - 9am). There are now ten 1-hour sessions at a special discounted rate of just $90.If you’re currently signed up for Wednesdays only, we highly recommend adding this option (even if you miss a few) - it’s a great value and tons of fun! 
3. MinorBlues. If you’re already registered for MinorBlues on Wednesday and Saturday, no action is needed. We’ve essentially added Sunday at no extra cost!I!
4. Format: Each session starts with 10–15 minutes of free skate, then players will break into groups by ability. This USA Hockey–endorsed model gives kids a chance to be creative, interact with coaches, and ensures proper placement. Kids may move groups often as they progress. Group levels will be identified with colored stars:

• Green = Beginner
• Blue
• Silver
• Gold
• Red

1. Helmet Labels: Please put a label with your player’s first and last name on the front of their helmet (white hockey tape works great).
2. Refunds: Families registered for FutureBlues will receive a $288 refund to reflect the new structure.

Attached is the updated schedule. Thank you for being part of the Chicago Blues/MinorBlues pre-hockey program! If you know any families interested in hockey, please forward this email along—we’d love to welcome them.

We look forward to helping your child take their first steps toward travel hockey!

Hello hockey parents!

Welcome to the first step in your hockey journey. Our programs are designed to focus on skating & skills fundamentals in a fun environment with leadership from USA Hockey-certified instructors. Here are the details and scope for Winter:

STEP 1 - MinorBlues Pre-Hockey (typically 8 and under): Introduction to hockey. We would like to see each player be able to skate on their own.  These are typically 7-week sessions (Back to School, Fall, Winter, Spring)

STEP 2 - FutureBlues U8 House League: (reserved for 8 and under): We will have Mini-games on Sat. & full-ice practices on Sun. Players should complete MinorBlues Pre-hockey or equivalent. For added repetitions, we strongly encourage you to supplement with Wednesday MinorBlues. 

STEP 3 - Mite Travel Tryouts: (8U). More information will be available. 

We understand players develop at different rates and typically move players from one program to another. We will let you know if your child should move. If you know anyone interested in our pre-hockey or U8 House League programs (ages 4 - 8) please let them know about our program. 

Thank you again for your interest in Chicago Blues. We look forward to putting your child on the right path to play hockey. Be sure to check out our site for schedules, programs, and other updates.

 - Coach Rick

Rick A. Patrone

Chicago Blues Hockey

OVERVIEW - 5 session per year - typically 6 weeks each

Back to School . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept 3 - Oct 8

Fall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oct 15 - Nov 26

Winter 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 3 - Jan 14

Winter 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jan 21 - Feb. 28

Spring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Apr 1 - May 20 (8 sessions)



OVERVIEW

Looking to get your child involved in ice hockey? The Chicago Blues Hockey Club offers an outstanding program for boys and girls ages 4-12 who are interested in learning how to play the coolest game on earth.

Ideally, we would like to see kids be able to skate on their own without help. Before registering, we recommend public skating or learn-to-skate tots program.

The MinorBlues Pre-Hockey Program's mission is to get kids on the ice and make sure they have fun while learning to play. The program follows the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) and stresses skating fundamentals with instruction from USA Hockey-certified instructors.

Required equipment (to be supplied by the player) is a helmet with cage, skates, gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, shin guards, pants and a hockey stick (see image below). The MinorBlues Pre-Hockey Program skates out of the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, one of the premier hockey facilities in the United States. 

Skating is the primary focus of the MinorBlues Pre-Hockey Program, which is designed to teach kids who have never skated before up to kids who have been on the ice numerous times but need to sharpen their skills. The goal of this program is to move kids to the next level to start becoming a hockey player.

SCOPE

The purpose of the program is create a fun sports activity while developing the skills necessary to enjoy the game at the next level.  Pre-hockey is offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays where USA Certified instructors will continue to work on fundamental skating skills and refinement. we prefer kids to be able to skate from one end to the other. Be sure to check out our home page for news and events.