The Winter Club of Lake Forest Hockey
How to get started in hockey at the Winter Club
Little Polar Bears
· Little Polar Bears includes programing for Learn to Skate (LTS) and Learn to Play Hockey (LTPH)
· Learn to Skate involves two classes before moving on to Learn to Play Hockey
· WC Hockey oversees the Little Polar Bear program and develops players into the Winter Club Hockey program.
The Little Polar Bear Learn to Skate program has 4 sessions throughout the calendar year
Session 1: Sundays at LF College, one time per week. September and October
Session 2: The first half of the rinks season is at the Winter Club and Lake Forest College. Wednesday afternoons are at the Winter Club and Sunday Mornings are at Lake Forest College.
Session 3: The second half of the rinks season at the Winter Club and Lake Forest College. Wednesday afternoons are at the Winter Club and Sunday Mornings are at Lake Forest College.
Session 4: Sundays at LF College, one time per week. April and May
· The Little Polar Bear Learn to Play Hockey program has 4 sessions throughout the calendar year
Session 1: Sundays at LF College, one time per week. September and October
Session 2: The first half of the rinks season at the Winter Club and LF College, twice per week.
Session 3: The second half of the rinks season at the Winter Club and LF College, twice per week.
Session 4: Sundays at LF College, one time per week. April and May
The general guidelines set by Winter Club Hockey in order to move on to the Learn to Play Hockey program the skater must be able to do:
· Two-Foot Glide
· Right and Left One-Foot Glides
· Forward Swizzles
· Backward Wiggles
· Forward Crossovers In Both the Clockwise and Counter-Clockwise Directions
· One Foot Snowplow Stop
· Backward Crossovers in Both the Clockwise and Counter-Clockwise Directions Right and Left T-Stops
About the Program
· Learn to skate and learn to play hockey are the first steps in a child’s involvement into youth hockey.
· All ages welcome
· The learn to skate (Little Polar Bears-LPB) are one practice a week (45 minutes each) for session 1 and two practices per week (45 minutes each) for session 2 and 3, new sessions start once the previous session concludes. Session 4 is technically Spring Hockey and takes place at LF College once per week on Sunday mornings.
· The Learn to Play (LTPH) are one practices per week (45 minutes each) in session 1, and one practice per week (45 minutes each) and one intra-squad game a week in session 2 and 3.
· Players will begin in a learn to skate class in which all participants are learning the basics of skating; balance, edges, and form are key elements of instruction. There are no pucks, sticks, or hockey in the learn to skate class. Participants will need a helmet and skates.
· After each session players are evaluated and discussions with parents in regard to development will occur. Once a collaborative decision is made between the participant, parents, and coaching staff the player will ether remain in LTS for another session or be moved into the learn to play hockey program. (Little Polar Bears-LPB)
· Players will only be allowed to move on from learn to skate to the learn to play after the conclusion of a session and at the coach's discretion.
· LTS and LTPH are instructed by Steve Sarauer, Hockey Director and Jimmy Warrick, Assistant Hockey Director.
Equipment Needed for Learn to Skate
· Skates
· Helmet
Equipment Needed for Learn to play hockey (Little Polar Bears)
· Skates
· Hockey Helmet
· Gloves
· Knee pads
· Elbow Pads
· Hockey Pants
· Hockey Stick
· Cup
· Socks and Jerseys will be provided
Contact
· Hockey Director Steve Sarauer, 773-750-4181, ssarauer@thewinterclub.com
· Asst. Hockey Director Jimmy Warrick, 773-458-4864, jwarrick@thewinterclub.com
FAQ
What if my child gets asked to stay in the Learn to Skate program again?
This is common, every player has their own path. This will give your child the best opportunity to develop and gain confidence along the way instead of being overwhelmed. There is no such thing as too much development.
If my child is too old for the Little Polar Bears Hockey Program how will the Learn to Skate program help?
In this situation we would ask the child to do all three sessions so that we can prepare him/her to be ready for next season and the ability to join the squirt, peewee, or bantam program depending on their age.
What is the goal of this program?
The goal from the coaches is that each player develops and gains the proper skating skills in order to move on to the Little Polar Bears Hockey program. From there we want players to begin their journey into the Mite program and playing full ice games!
Where do I get equipment if my player is ready for Learn to Play hockey?
First, ask your friends that have hockey players. Kids go through equipment fast as they grow fast! Most families who have hockey players will also have old equipment just laying around. This is the best way to get started.
Second, there are three options in the area.
- Fred's Pro Shop in Vernon Hills
- Pure Hockey in Glenview
- Play it Again Sports in Northbrook
How to get your player ready!
A. Base Layer
When getting your player ready it is important to have a base layer under the equipment, this prevents any rubbing of velcro straps on the skin especially around the legs due to the knee pads and also the elbow pads and shoulder pads.
B. Shin pads and socks or sweatpants
When putting the shin guards on attach all the velcro around the legs and press together firmly. Next either hockey socks or Sweat pants over the shun guards. Sweat pants are the easiest way to get into the game and won't fall down during practices.
Most new players will not wear cups, but most cups now come as shorts with the cup built in, and velcro to attach the hockey socks. We do not require cups at Learn to Play hockey but they are required once players move into Mite hockey.
So there are two options.
- Shin guards with larger sweatpants over the shin guards.
- Jock shorts or jock pants that hockey socks can attach to. The links for examples of these are below:
In the picture below the shin guards are under the sweatpants.
C. Hockey pants or Breezers
Next will be the hockey pants (Sometimes referred to as breezers). Pull the pants over the shin guards. Suspenders are also helpful and the link is below.
D. Shoulder pads and elbow pads.
Notice that the suspenders go over the shoulder pads, this helps to keep the suspenders from falling down off the shoulders and down the arms. Nearly all pants have buttons where suspenders can be attached.
E. Jersey
We will provide a jersey when you arrive to the rink for the first skate of the session.
F. Skates, helmet and gloves
Skates: When tying your players skates make sure to tie them up through the skates, and not just the top eyelets. Players need support throughout the entire skate, not just at the top. Skates need to be tied tightly, but not so tight the player is uncomfortable.
Helmet: Helmets need to have the cage attached as youth players are required to wear face protection on the helmet. Helmets are sold with and without the cage. The players helmet should fit comfortably and the cage should be adjusted so the players chin is touching the chin cup.
Gloves: Gloves are the last piece of equipment and are sized in inches. Player gloves start at 8" and go all the way to 15". 8" gloves are the best for younger new players.
G. Stick
The stick is confusing to many. There are left handed sticks and right handed sticks. The dominate hand is on the top of the stick, therefore a right-hand dominant player will use a LEFT HANDED stick. A left hand dominate player will use a RIGHT HANDED stick.
Stick length is also a common question. Below is a diagram that can aid in understanding stick length.
Taping the stick is also important. Both end of the stick need to be taped, the blade and the knob where the player holds their top hand.
Here is a great link in regard to stick information: