Winnetka Hockey Club 2015-16 Guide serving the communities of Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth & Northfield

About the Club Since our inception in 1972, the Winnetka Hockey Club has remained true to its original mission to provide community based hockey to the children of Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth and Northfield. We take great pride in offering both recreational (House) and competitive (Travel) programs to meet the needs of all interest levels for ages 8-15. We do this through the combined efforts of our Board of Directors, professional staff, the Winnetka Park District, and volunteer coaches.

Our Mission “The mission of the Winnetka Hockey Club is to teach the children of Winnetka and surrounding communities the sport of ice hockey and to develop team and individual skills through both recreational and competitive play while emphasizing sportsmanship, cooperation, self discipline, individual responsibility, and respect for others, to provide the best possible experience for all participants.”

Why Youth Hockey? • • • •

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Fast Paced: Games generally last one hour. It’s a great sport in wintertime when physical activity may be limited. Teamwork: Hockey requires that your child will learn cooperation with teammates. Lifetime Sport: Hockey is a sport that many play into their 50’s and 60’s. Community: Your child will play with their schoolmates and make new friends through hockey. Winnetka Hockey is widely respected within the community for its organization and structure. Respect: At the core of our sport is respect for teammates, respect for the opposition, respect for the officials, respect for yourself, and respect for the game. Fun: Playing hockey is fun!

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Martin & Mary L. Boyer Foundation House League Financial Assistance Program We believe that any child who wishes to play this great game should be able to do so. Through a generous donation from the Martin & Mary L. Boyer Foundation, the Winnetka Hockey Club and Winnetka Park District are able to offer financial assistance to those who wish to participate in the House League or Winnetka Ice Arena Skating Program. Those who would like to be considered for financial assistance are asked to contact Tom Gullen, Administrative Director of the Winnetka Hockey Club, at [email protected].

Important Dates August 16 August 29 September 1 September 3-9 September 13 September 20 September 20 September 27

Preseason Travel Clinic Girls Travel Tryouts Travel Tryouts Top Teams Travel Tryouts (All other Teams) FREE Come Play Hockey Programs: Get Acquainted & Just Girls Clinics House League Clinics Begins Bantam House League Evaluations Squirts House League Evaluations Pee Wees House League Evaluations

Children born in 2007-2010 The Winfield Hockey Club provides all programs for children born in 2007-2010. This program functions in an identical manner with the same values and structure as the Winnetka Hockey Club. Full program information can be found at winfieldhockey.org.

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2015-16 Program Guide • Register online at winnetkahockey.com

House Hockey League Todd Southwell, House Director • [email protected] The House League is the foundation of the Winnetka Hockey Club. The goals of our House League are to: 1. Teach the fundamental skills of the game; 2. Teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play; and 3. Have fun playing the game! Our House League program is designed to give children of all levels the opportunity to play in an equal play environment. Our teams generally skate twice weekly once the Watts Ice Arena opens, with one game and one practice weekly. Games an practices are held during the same time frames each week so children can participate in other activities. All House League activities take place at the Winnetka Ice Arena, North Shore Ice Arena, or the Watts Ice Center in Glencoe. The season will start with evaluations on September 20 for Bantams, and September 27 for Squirts and Pee Wees. Following evaluations, each participant will be placed on a team and teams will practice for a few weeks with games starting around November 1. The season will conclude prior to spring break with our playoffs.

Volunteer Coaches generously give their time to coach all House League teams. Should you wish to volunteer to coach, please check the appropriate box on the application.

The House League program is balanced into three age levels:

Squirts (born in 2005/2006) Full ice games on Sunday afternoons. Practices are Saturday mornings at Watts. We also occasionally schedule additional games and practices for Friday evenings at Watts. Pee Wees (born in 2003/2004) Games primarily on Sunday evenings with the possibility of some Saturday morning games. Practices will be Monday at Watts. Bantams (born in 2001/2002) Full ice games on weekends. Practices on Wednesdays at Watts. Season Fee: $595 Squirts - Pee Wees / $625 Bantams (Does not include mandatory USA Hockey Registration Fees of $53) Non-Resident: Additional $110 (For those who do not reside in Winnetka, Glencoe, Northfield, or Kenilworth) House League fees are 100% refundable until October 1, 2015. After October 1 until October 15, there is a $50 processing fee. There are no refunds after October 15.

What is Accomplished at Each Level? Squirts and Pee Wees continue to learn the fundamentals, stressing sportsmanship. Squirts and Pee Wees play the traditional hockey rules. There is no checking at either level. Teams will skate at least once a week prior to Watts opening, and twice a week once Watts Rink opens with a post-season tournament. Bantams play check hockey in the North Shore Hockey League. The NSHL will tier its league according to the skills of the teams.

2015-16 Program Guide • Register online at winnetkahockey.com

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House League Clinics & Evaluations Preseason Clinic The Winnetka Hockey Club offers a preseason clinic for House League skaters. These clinics will focus on skill development, such as skating, puck-handling and shooting. Each group will meet for 3 one-hour sessions. The fee is $85. Date Saturday, September 19 Sunday, September 20 Saturday, September 26

All Squirts 12:30 pm 4:55 pm 12:30 pm

All Pee Wees 1:40 pm 6:05 pm 1:40 pm

House League Evaluation In order to properly balance all teams, participation in the evaluation session is extremely important. Please make every effort to attend the evaluations. Date Sunday, September 27

Squirts (Last Names A-J) 4:50 pm

Sunday, September 20

All Bantams 8:15 - 9:30 pm

Squirts (Last Names K-Z) 5:50 pm

All Pee Wees 7:00 - 8:10 pm

Come Play Hockey! FREE! Get Acquainted Clinic for Beginners Did you ever want to try hockey or just learn to hockey skate? Come out and receive professional instruction on the fundamentals of skating and hockey in this fun, one-day clinic. Just bring your skates (rental skates available), bike or hockey helmet, and gloves or mittens. We provide a free hockey stick for all participants. This is a great opportunity for those who have limited skating experience to improve their skills. Our expert coaches will teach skating, shooting, and puck handling. Date: September 13

Time: 12:25 - 1:25 pm

To ensure proper instructor coverage, please pre-register by September 10 by calling the Hockey Office at (847) 446-9362.

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2015-16 Program Guide • Register online at winnetkahockey.

2015-16 Girls Travel Program Blake Hannafan, Co-Director • [email protected] Josh Pagliaro, Co-Director • (312) 543-6012 • [email protected] The WHC will once again sponsor competitive girls travel hockey teams as listed below. Girls that are interested in recreational hockey are encouraged to participate in our House League program. While we do not offer all-girls House League teams, we make every effort to group multiple girls together on teams.

U-10 A Team (born in 2005/2006) Will play NIHL or North Shore League Squirt with additional Girls tournaments. Will skate 4-5 times weekly.

U-12 A Team (born in 2003/2004) Will play NIHL Boys Pee Wee with additional Girls tournaments. Will skate 4-5 times weekly.

U-12 B Team (born in 2003/2004) Will play NIHL Girls. Will skate 3-4 times weekly. U-14 A Team (born in 2001/2002) Will play NIHL Girls. Will skate 4-5 times weekly. Tryouts are August 29. Please refer to winnetkahockey.com for preseason clinic and tryout schedules.

Come Play Hockey! Girls Rule!! FREE Clinic Just for the Girls! Ok Girls, this one is just for you! Our mini-clinic will help guide participants through the fundamentals of hockey: skating, puck handling, and shooting. This is a great opportunity for the participant with limited experience or those converting from figure skating. Skaters should have a helmet (bike helmets are acceptable), gloves or mittens, and hockey skates. Participants will be given a stick. Date: September 13

Time: 1:35 - 2:35 pm

To ensure proper instructor coverage, please pre-register by September 10 by calling the Hockey Office at (847) 446-9362.

2015-16 Program Guide • Register online at winnetkahockey.com

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Youth Travel Hockey Program Craig Izenstark, Youth Travel Director (847) 971-5151 • [email protected] The Winnetka Hockey Club Travel program is designed for the child and family that desire a more competitive experience and greater level of commitment. The goal of the travel program is to provide all highly skilled players with an opportunity to develop their skills while receiving high level coaching and instruction. Our teams compete in the Central States, Northern Illinois, and North Shore Hockey Leagues. We take great pride in having one of the most experienced coaching line ups in the area. Typically, teams are on the ice at least four times weekly with team practice, skill development, and games. Our Squirt-Bantam teams typically play 35-50 games, depending on the age/level, and participate in one local tournament over Thanksgiving and one out-of-town tournament. The fees assessed to our participants cover the direct costs of operating the program: ice time, referees, coaches’ salaries, tournament entry fees, uniforms, and administration of the club. Fees will be posted on winnetkahockey.com. Limited financial assistance is available, and all requests should be made to WHC President, Peter Roeser at [email protected]. This season, our goal is to field the following teams at each level:

Squirts (born in 2005/2006) Five Teams: Top Team in Central States and four in NIHL

Pee Wees (born in 2003/2004) Four Teams: Central States Major and three in NIHL

Bantams (born in 2001/2002) Four Teams: Central State Minor and Major and two in NIHL

Tryout Procedures The coaches make all team selections. It is our policy to have a “closed” tryout with only the coaches and participants in attendance. We believe this helps the children to relax and the coaches to focus on their job. We also require a member of the board to serve as a proctor. Fees are 100% refundable prior to the start of the clinic. After the clinic there is a $100 processing fee, plus a pro-rated fee for any session attended. The preseason travel clinics will begin on August 16. Tryouts for Travel Top Teams are September 1. Travel Tryouts for all other teams are September 4-9. Please refer to winnetkahockey.com for preseason clinics and tryout schedules.

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2015-16 Program Guide • Register online at winnetkahockey.com

Registration Instructions Registration forms must be completed online at winnetkahockey.com. All registration must be completed no later than August 25 for Travel and Girls Teams, and October 10 for House League Teams. Players/Parents unsure which program best suits their needs are invited to call Hockey Director, D.J. LaVarre at (847) 446-9362. All players (new and returning, travel, and house) must register with USA Hockey each year. You will need a current USA Hockey number in order to register on the WHC site. You will not be able to complete WHC registration without it. You may register and purchase it at usahockeyregistration. com. Please complete all information requested on the WHC website including the WHC Medical Release and WHC Waiver Form. All forms must be completed online before your player is allowed on the ice. There are NO exceptions to these rules. Questions regarding these forms should be addressed to the registrar, Janna Fichera at [email protected]. House League Payment: You must remit payment with your registration. Travel Clinic/Tryouts - Youth Travel and Girls Travel: You must remit payment with your registration. Travel Season Fees - Youth Travel and Girls Travel - Annual payment or three installments: Annual Payment or First Installment Due: Prior to the first day of practice Second Installment Due: November 15, 2015 Third Installment Due: January 15, 2016 Travel season fees will be posted to winnetkahockey.com. You have the option to pay the full fee or a deposit and two installments. You must pay by credit card or electronic check. This policy has significantly reduced our collection problems, which helps keep fee increases to a minimum. PLEASE NOTE: Your child will not be allowed to skate with his or her team if season fees are delinquent. If a player is selected to a travel team which he/she chooses not to play on, the player has until the first practice to notify the president, travel director, or hockey director that he/she does not intend to play. If not notified, the player will be charged for the first installment.

2015-16 Program Guide • Register online at winnetkahockey.com

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Winnetka Hockey Club P.O. Box 426 Winnetka, IL 60093

register online @ winnetkahockey.com

Winnetka Hockey Club 2015-16 Guide

WHC Contacts Tom Gullen, Administrative Director

(847) 446-9362

[email protected]

D.J. LaVarre, Director of Hockey

(847) 446-9362

[email protected]

Peter Roeser, President

(773) 456-8744

[email protected]

Craig Izenstark, Travel Director

(847) 971-5151

[email protected]

Todd Southwell, House Director

(312) 208-0652

[email protected]

Josh Pagliaro, Girls Co-Director

(312) 543-6012

[email protected]

Blake Hannafan, Girls Co-Director

[email protected]

Janna Fichera, Registrar

[email protected]