Mite (8U) Travel Hockey
Welcome to the 2026-2027 season! We are thrilled to have you participate in our program.
The Winter Club is a youth travel hockey program serving the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff communities and nearby towns. Our teams play in the Chicago United Hockey League (CUHL) and the Green Bay Trail League, and each team will consist of 10-11 players.
All Winter Club teams follow a structured hockey curriculum throughout the season, focused on individual skill development and strong team play. Our goal is to maximize the overall player experience through professional coaching, substantial ice time, and competitive league play.
We are committed to developing and preparing our players for the next level.
Formed in 1902, Lake Forest Winter Club is the oldest youth hockey program in Illinois and continues to provide the most unique hockey experiences on the North Shore. We are excited to continue building for the future while honoring the tradition, community, and outdoor hockey experience that make Winter Club one of a kind.
Our staff includes a collection of coaches who have a wealth of experience; they include: Cody Murphy, Charice Paoli, Rocco Ferretti, Nick Vogt
We are happy to welcome you back for another fun and memorable season!
Ages
The Mite teams are for players who are born in 2020, 2019, and 2018.
Those who are 2020-2022, please see our Mini-Mite Program.
When
Winter Club's regular season begins with tryouts in late August and continues through the end of February. All schedules are subject to change.
Where
Winter Club features two outdoor sheets - one full size and one studio rink for exceptional access to ice. Our teams also play at Lake Forest Academy and other local rinks. Games are played throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.
Practices
Depending on age, our players can expect to practice 2-3 times per week. One of those practices will be skills-based each week. Goalies will also receive dedicated clinics and coaching.
Games
Depending on league, games typically run from mid September through mid-February. We try to avoid games over the Thanksgiving and December holiday weeks, preserving that time for our players to be with family.
Jerseys
New players will pay a new player equipment fee of $350.
2026-2027
Registration for the 2026-2027 season is now open!
August 16th will be our WC welcome back lunch at 1:00 pm (located at the Winter Club).
Our current conditioning clinics and tryout schedule are detailed below.
Conditioning Clinics at Lake Forest Academy:
1500 W. Kennedy Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
August 10th: 5:20-6:20 pm
August 12th: 5:20-6:20 pm
Mandatory Tryouts at Lake Forest Academy:
August 18th: 5:20-6:20 pm
August 20th: 5:20-6:20 pm
$100 off if you register by July 13th
**Registration closes August 7th**
All new players will pay a $350 equipment fee.
Register