Chicago Hawks Hockey

The Chicago Hawks Travel & Elite Tier II program is our most competitive hockey program. This program focuses on competitive success and skill development. Professional hockey coaches, selected for their teaching and coaching abilities, leadership qualities, and dedication to youth hockey, coach these Hawks travel teams. The quality of our professional coaching staff sets us apart from all other youth hockey organizations. Our goal for our travel players is to succeed, while at the same time challenging them and teaching them how to deal with adversity. We want all players to develop a sense of fair play and good sportsmanship.

Players are selected and placed on teams via a tryout process. If selected, a Hawks travel hockey player is expected to attend all regularly scheduled practices and games. This time commitment is critical to the growth of the player and success of the team. Each Hawks travel hockey player can plan on skating approximately 3-5 times per week with their team. In addition, each team may compete in 2 - 4 out-of-town tournaments per season. Please note that the Chicago Hawks Equipment Policy does apply to this hockey program.

The Chicago Hawks offer two travel hockey seasons each calendar year – Fall/Winter and Spring. Fall/Winter is our “premier” season. Spring is structured to increase development and make more time available for other sports.

Fall/Winter Season

• Duration: Begins in September and ends in early March
• Time Commitment: Typically 3-5 hours of ice per week
• Leagues: NIHL & CSDHL (see below for league information)
• # of Games: Typically 25– 40 per season , level of play dependent. Home games are played at the Darien Sportsplex. NIHL away games are played at other rinks around the Chicagoland area. CSHL away games are played throughout the Central States region.
• Fees: $3,000 - $ 4,300, level of play and league dependent (Home/Away game jerseys and socks and warm-ups are included in the fees)
• Additional Costs: Tournament Fees and Team Slush Fund

Spring Season

• Duration: Begins in mid-March and ends in mid-June
• Time Commitment: Typically 2-3 hours of ice per week
• Leagues: SWSL (see below for league information)
• # of Games: Typically 10– 20 per season , level of play dependent. Home games are played at the Darien Sportsplex. Away games are played at other rinks around the Chicagoland area.
• Fees: $650 - $ 750, level of play and league dependent
• Additional Costs: Tournament Fees and Team Slush Fund

The Chicago Hawks Travel & Elite Tier II Program fields teams in the following leagues:

Central States Developmental Hockey League – Fall/Winter Season

The CSDHL is highly competitive and specifically designed for elite Tier II hockey teams within Illinois and the Central States region. http://www.csdhl.org/

Northern Illinois Hockey League – Fall/Winter Season

The Hawks continue with our tradition of playing competitive travel hockey in the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL), "The Largest Youth Hockey League in Illinois." http://www.nihl.info

Southwest Spring League – Spring Season

The South West Spring League (SWSL) was created seven years ago. The SWSL serves a certain geographic area and works to have convenient schedules for all participants. SWSL also helps transition players to the next age level (e.g., players who just finished their mite years and who are moving up to the squirt level). http://www.swslhockey.com/