Welcome to the 2024-25 season of WC Hockey!
Welcome to the 2024-25 season of WC Hockey! We’re excited to get started this season with the annual WC Hockey BBQ (Sunday 8/18 1:00pm), preseason training camp (8/19-8/23), and tryouts (8/26-8/29).
Hockey BBQ
The annual WC Hockey BBQ is on Sunday 8/18 at 1:00pm. We’ll have inflatable games for the kids and the coaches will be in attendance. We hope to see you and your player if you’re able to attend. If you didn’t RSVP for the BBQ in the registration that’s ok, feel free to show up!
2024-25 Fall WC Hockey
The WC Hockey program has nearly doubled in the past 5 seasons and this season we not only have new hockey directors and new coaches, but also more ice for our teams. Please understand that commitment is required from all players on all teams. Players need to attend practices and games; this is not optional. Communication is key; let your coach and manager know if your player is sick and cannot attend a practice or a game, this is very important.
New Rule!
**Important new rule for the 2024-25 season from USA Hockey: All players are required to wear neck guards at all practices and games**
Training Camp and Tryouts
Each season we have a week of Training Camp prior to tryouts. This is intended to let the kids get on the ice again before they are evaluated for tryouts the following week. Each team will have three training camp sessions followed by two tryout sessions. Below are the dates for the training camp and the tryouts. All training camp and tryout sessions are at Lake Forest Academy.
**Fall teams will be posted on Thursday 8/29 at approximately 8pm and posted to the home page of the WC Hockey website**
2024-25 Fall Season Coaching Line-up
Hot Shots Ice Arena
The WC Hockey program has been fortunate enough to get ice at Hot Shots Ice Arena in Lake Bluff this upcoming season. With our ice at LFA, and now Hot Shots, each team will get at one full ice practice almost every week of the season. Teams will still have split ice practices, however, the increase in full-ice practices will result in increased team development and the ability to focus on positional team skills such as breakouts, zone entry, regroups, and penalty and power play special teams.
Above and Beyond Skill Training
In addition to the increase in ice for our teams, Justin “Nelly” Nelson of Above and Beyond will be coming to the WC to provide a new perspective on skill development and work with all our teams. These skill sessions will be spread out throughout the season and will be a welcomed addition to our player’s skill development. Each level will have 5 skills sessions throughout the season on Thursdays run by Nelly and the first session will be on September 12th.
Goalie Clinics
Coach Mitch is excited to get started with our goalies this season and we have scheduled goalie clinics for September, October and November. We always need shooters so if you’re player is available feel free to bring them for some extra ice.
Practice and Game Schedule
We always get numerous questions each season about the schedule from parents planning out the season. We do our best to try and keep the schedule as consistent as possible from season to season. However, with the addition of Hot Shots ice this fall the schedule will look a little different than past seasons.
We do not have our game schedule completed. For all levels (except Mite Green) there will be a round of tiering games for the Chicago United Hockey League (CUHL = Mite White and Black) and the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL = Squirt, Peewee and Bantam). These tiering games will be scheduled on September 14th and seeding games will begin on September 20th. Regular season scheduling will take place on November 3rd and regular season games will begin on November 9th.
The practice schedule is up on the Winter club Hockey website and you can view it now.
1. Go to www.wchockey.org
2. Click on “Schedule” at the top
3. Click on “Club” located on the top right of the calendar
4. Once you click on club the entire calendar for all age levels will appear. Select the month in which you want to view.
5. Teams are abbreviated on the schedule:
**WCCSD will take place on Mondays once the rinks are ready at the Winter Club. The first WCCSD 3v3 games is expected to be on December 2nd**
Tournaments
This season we will also be handling tournaments differently than in the past. First, each team from Squirts, Peewees and Bantams will participate in two tournaments. Mites will participate in one tournament. This season all tournaments will be covered in your player fees, there will not be an additional charge for the second tournament as we have done in the past. We have the tournaments set for this season and they are as follows:
Uniforms and Equipment
Throughout the season your player may lose or destroy their uniforms. If you need a replacement on any of the following below, please email wchockeyuniforms@thewinterclub.com and let us know what you need, we’ll help you get what you need.
Important Dates!
Managers
If you're interested in being a team manager for the upcoming season please let me know! ssarauer@thewinterclub.com
We’re excited to get this season of WC Hockey underway, and the Hockey BBQ at the Winter Club will kick-off our season on August 18th at 1:00pm, we hope to see you there!
Steve Sarauer
WC Hockey Director
773-750-4181
ssarauer@thewinterclub.com
Mitch Miscevich
WC Assistant Hockey Director
312-351-0807
mmiscevich@thewinterclub.com
Griffin Slobodnik
WC Assistant Hockey Director
224-478-2387
gslobodnik@thewinterclub.com