Step 1 / MinorBlues Pre-Hockey

Hello MinorBlues/FutureBlues Families,

This is an exciting time to be part of the Chicago Blues organization! I’d like to share some important updates and next steps, especially for those asking about Mite spring hockey. Here’s what’s ahead:

1. Spring '25 Mite Program – We encourage all 2017, 2018, and 2019 birth year players (based on ability) to try out for our Spring Mite Program. This program includes 16 sessions for $470, typically held twice per week—an excellent opportunity for players 8 & under to continue their development. If your child is not selected, you will be reimbursed and can participate in our MinorBlues Pre-Hockey program on Wednesdays in April/May.
2. 👉 Register here: Spring Mite Program
3. No U8 FutureBlues Developmental League in Spring/Summer – Instead, we’re offering eight MinorBlues sessions from April 2 - May 21. TI may also run some summer drop-in sessions—we’ll provide updates in the coming months.
4. FREE Learn to Play Hockey Clinics – In March, we’re offering free clinics for players 8 & under to keep kids active before tryouts and introduce new players to our program. Full equipment is required. Stay tuned for exact dates!
5. St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 8 – All MinorBlues and FutureBlues players are invited to walk in the parade wearing their Blues gear or favorite jersey! As event sponsors, we’ll gather in a designated area—details will be posted on our website soon.

Finally, congratulations to our Blues teams advancing in the playoffs! This has been one of our best seasons yet. Best of luck to all players moving up!

Know someone interested in our programs? Feel free to share this email.

See you at the rink!

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 (birth yr. '16 - '19): Introduction to hockey. We would like to see each player be able to skate on their own.  These are typically 6-week sessions (Back to School, Fall, Winter, Spring)

STEP 2 - FutureBlues U8 House League: (birth yrs. '16 - '18, some '19's): I would like ALL '17 and '18 birth years to register for this program! 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: (birth yrs: '17 & '18). 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 4 - Oct 5

Early Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 9 – Nov 16

Fall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nov 20 – Dec 21

Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan 8 - Feb 26

Spring '25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apr 9 - May 21



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.