Travel Hockey (SQ/PW/BAN)
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 are represented at every level in the Central States Prospects Division, which includes Red, White, and Blue. We are proud to offer a program for all skill levels.
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, Matt Kunach, Keith Felt, Peter Lincoln, Sam Morgan
We are happy to welcome you back for another fun and memorable season!
Ages
Winter Club is a community-based hockey program serving ages 14 and younger. We primarily serve the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, allowing our children to play and develop a love of hockey with their friends each season.
Birth Years:
Mites: 2018, 2019, 2020 birth years
Squirts: 2016 and 2017 birth years
Pee Wees: 2014 and 2015 birth years
Bantams: 2012 and 2013 birth years
When
Winter Club's regular season begins with tryouts in August and continues through February. We also offer a spring hockey program, which runs from April through May. 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 run by Cody Murphy and staff. Goalies will also receive dedicated clinics and coaching as part of program fees.
In addition, teams will have regularly scheduled video review sessions to increase overall hockey IQ.
Games
Goalies
Goalies will be working closely with our valued partner: Goalie Nation
These extra sessions will occur on Saturday mornings.
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
Squirts
August 11th: 5:20-6:20 pm
August 13th: 5:20-6:20 pm
Pee Wees
August 10th: 6:30-7:30 pm
August 12th: 6:30-7:30 pm
Bantams
(These dates will include checking clinics)
August 11th: 6:30-7:30 pm
August 13th: 6:30-7:30 pm
Mandatory Tryouts at Lake Forest Academy:
Squirts
August 17th: 5:20-6:20 pm
August 19th: 5:20-6:20 pm
Pee Wees
August 18th: 6:30-7:30 pm
August 20th: 6:30-7:30 pm
Bantams
August 17th: 6:30-7:30 pm
August 19th: 6:30-7:30 pm
$100 off if you register by July 13th
**Registration closes August 7th**
All new players will pay a $350 equipment fee.
Register