Step 1 / MinorBlues Pre-Hockey

Chicago Blues MinorBlues Pre-Hockey Program

Back to School Session Starts Wednesday, 9/2 at 5:10pm!

The Perfect First Step into Hockey!

Is your child interested in hockey but you're not sure where to begin? The Chicago Blues MinorBlues Pre-Hockey Program is designed for young players who are ready to learn the game in a fun, encouraging, and age-appropriate environment.

Our program follows the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) and is led by experienced, USA Hockey-certified coaches who focus on building confidence, developing skills, and creating a lifelong love of hockey.

What Players Will Learn:

• Skating fundamentals
• Puck handling and shooting basics
• Balance, coordination, and athletic movement
• Teamwork, sportsmanship, and confidence

Who Can Participate?

• Be 4–8 years old (younger players may be accepted based on ability)
• Be able to stand and skate independently
• Wear full hockey equipment (equipment rental is available if needed)
• Have a valid USA Hockey Membership
• Register at: https://membership.usahockey.com/

Weekly Schedule

• Wednesdays: 5:10–5:55 PM
• Saturdays: 9:00–9:45 AM

We strongly encourage players to attend both sessions each week to maximize repetitions, confidence, and skill development.

How Each Session Works:

Every session begins with 10–15 minutes of supervised free skate, giving players time to get comfortable on the ice while interacting with coaches.

Players are then divided into small groups based on their current skill level. This ADM-based progression allows each child to learn at the appropriate pace while moving between groups as they improve.

Skill Groups

🟢 Green – Beginner

🔵 Blue – Developing

⚪ Silver – Intermediate

🟡 Gold – Advanced

🔴 Red – Elite Pre-Hockey

Why Choose the Chicago Blues?

Our goal is simple: help kids fall in love with hockey.

The MinorBlues Pre-Hockey Program provides a positive, structured environment where young players build skills, make friends, and prepare for recreational or travel hockey when they're ready.

We look forward to welcoming your family to the Chicago Blues and helping your child take their first strides on the ice!

Register Today!

Click the Register button on the top right and start your child's hockey journey with the Chicago Blues.

MinorBlues is just the first step on your hockey journey. The Blues have designed our programs to take you all the way through to your child's first team tryout:

STEP 1: MinorBlues Pre-Hockey (typically 8 and under) - you are here!

STEP 2: FutureBlues U8 House League: (8 and under): This program takes your player to the next level by offering Mini-Games and Full-Ice Practices. Players can continue participating in MinorBlues for more ice time. Find out more here! Note: MinorBlues and FutureBlues are combined for Winter 2025. More info above.

STEP 3: Chicago Blues Mites (8U Travel Program). Our staff and coaches will work with you and your player to determine when your player is ready to make the jump to their first hockey tryout for a Chicago Blues 8U team. More information will become available ahead of tryouts, which are in the fall.

We understand players develop at different rates and typically move players from one program to another. We will let you know which step we feel is the best fit for your child.