Mission

To create an unrivaled youth hockey experience for the entire family.  

For those players that stay with us through Bantam, they will be fully prepared for competitive High School hockey and beyond. 

Other select players will graduate to competitive programs such as Central States Major and Minor Divisions and AAA. Our players enter these leagues prepared both mentally and physically based on the foundation built at the Winter Club. Many of our alumni have earned spots on elite programs such as Team Illinois, Chicago Mission, Chicago Young Americans, Chicago Reapers and the Lake Forest Academy Prep team.

Our mission also supports a larger Winter Club objective to keep kids playing with their friends from the Lake Forest & Lake Bluff community through High School. The Winter Club brand of hockey allows players to continue playing for a lifetime.

To be successful, we understand it is imperative to have a highly engaged hockey staff and rinks committee. We also believe the quality and consistency of our coaching is paramount to our success, which is why we employ professional, certified coaches for every team. 

• The WC employs certified, professional coaches for every team to ensure a positive learning environment
• All volunteer parent coaches that assist with practices, have strong hockey backgrounds and are certified by USA Hockey
• WC players are on the ice an average of 5x per week during the main season (mid November to end of February) providing more ice time than any similar program on the North Shore. 
• Last season, WC teams averaged 65 practices and 40 games over the fall/winter season.
• The WC works hard to keep teams together as they grow, allowing kids to play with friends from the local community and form strong team bonds (versus recruiting across Illinois)
• WC provides certified goalie coaches for nearly all practices and free weekly goalie clinics
• We have a strong track record of developing and supporting players that show promise for other top tier programs such as AAA and Central States
• WC does not schedule over Christmas/Winter Break, President’s Day weekend, or Spring Break, providing opportunity for family vacation and other activities
• As a parent, there are fewer things more enjoyable than watching your child’s team play outside at WC on a beautiful Friday or Saturday evening.