Spring Travel (SQ/PW/BTM)

The Northbrook Bluehawks are excited to announce our Spring 2025 Hockey Program, offering a blend of skill development and competition for all participants. This program is designed to enhance individual skills while providing players with an opportunity to apply those skills in competitive settings.

Program Overview:

• Skill Development: Skaters will receive targeted instruction in key areas, including stickhandling, power skating, shooting, and more. These sessions are designed to improve technical skills, build confidence and develop each players hockey IQ on the ice.
• Competition Days: Players will take part in 3v3, 4v4, and small-area games, which are ideal for utilizing the skills learned in training. These competitive sessions will emphasize teamwork, decision-making, and situational awareness.

Age Groups & Ice Time:

• Players will be divided into age groups: Squirt (SQ), Peewee (PW), and Bantam (BT).
• Each level will have approximately 18 ice touches throughout the program, ensuring players get ample time on the ice.

Spring Team Participation:

• All players are encouraged to join a spring team that will compete in one tournament and play in approximately four games.
• Evaluations will be held prior to Spring Break to assess skill levels and create teams.
• A separate fee will apply for those who wish to participate on a spring team. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to continue developing your skills and enjoy the game in a fun and competitive environment.

The season will run from the week of March 10 through May 22. There will be nothing scheduled during Spring Break, March 22 to March 30.

While we strive to provide a consistent ice schedule, please know that the Sports Center has other events that will impact our ice schedule throughout the spring season. As a general rule, here is when our groups will be on the ice:

Squirt Travel: Tuesdays 5:50 & Thursdays 5:20

Peewee Travel: Tuesdays 7:00 & Thursdays 6:30

Bantam Travel: Tuesdays 8:10 & Thursdays 7:40

Please keep in mind that second year players in the fall will move up a level in the Spring. Birth years for spring as follows:

Squirt: 2015-2016

Peewee: 2013-2014

Bantam: 2011-2012

Spring hockey will begin with on-ice combine baseline testing. Individual scores will be recorded at the start and finish of spring. The three areas each player will be evaluated include:

• Skating
• Shooting
• Puck Control

Our goal is to improve individual scores through focused development throughout weekly practices. Providing our staff with baseline testing scores establishes a goal to work towards and achieve.

Of the two weekly skates, they will include:

Session 1: Skills Training American Development Model (ADM) with Bluehawk Staff / Positional Specific Training: First skate of every week will consist of skill work. Matt Rotman, Hockey Director, and staff will run skills clinics which focus on stick handling and puck control.

These sessions will include other skill based training such as power skating, shooting, edgework, etc. Players may also be split into groups (Forward/Defense split) to focus on positional specific training.

Session 2: Blue & White Games: Controlled Scrimmages/Scrimmages 3v3, 4v4, 5v5, Power Play, Penalty Kill, and small area games.

Goalie instruction will be a part of the spring program and instruction will be provided by a qualified goalie coach.

Each team will participate in approximately 4 games (2 home, 2 away) and 1 tournament. Evaluations will be held prior to Spring Break. Participation on a spring team will be an additional fee for those wishing to participate and may be selected during the registration process.

Games & Tournament Fee: Skater $300/Goalie $150

Tournament Schedule by Level

Squirt: Glacier Invitational, May 14-18

Pee-Wee: Battle of the Border, May 2-4

Bantam AA: Krolak Cup, April 10-13

Bantam A: Battle of the Border, May 16-18