House League
House League is the foundation of the Winnetka Hockey Club. Our program is one of the few true community-based programs in Illinois that opens its doors to players of all levels. The goals of our house league are to teach the fundamental skills of the game, teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play, and have fun playing hockey!
The program is designed around an equal play environment--the idea that all team members play the same amount of time in a game. Our teams generally skate twice weekly; one game and one practice. Games and practices are held during the same times each week so that children can participate in other activities.
House League is divided into five age levels (see chart below). All Junior Warrior House League activities (for Minor Mites and Mites) are held at the Winnetka Ice Arena, North Shore Ice Arena (NSIA), and Watts Ice Center in Glencoe. At the Squirt level and beyond, players will transition into the North Shore Youth Hockey League (NSYHL). This league provides our players with a different level of competition that allows for both new and experienced players to grow and be challenged. Games will be played at Winnetka rinks and in neighboring communities. Squirt and Peewee teams will be known as Winnetka Warriors. Bantam teams will play as a joint program with Wilmette Junior Trevians.
Before registering, each player must be registered with either USA Hockey or AAU.
Bantam (2009 & 2010), Pee Wee (2011 & 2012) and Squirt (2013 & 2014) register with USA Hockey here.
Mite (2015 & 2016) and Minor Mite (2017, 2018 & 2019) register with AAU here
House League kicks off with pre-season clinics for all levels through Peewee. These are not mandatory, but a great way to get warmed up on the ice from summer!
Clinics will be followed by evaluations. There are no cuts made – this is purely to ensure that each team has a balance of skill level.
Friend requests can be made in advance and will be honored where possible.
Ages/Levels
JUNIOR WARRIORS:
U6 (Minor Mite): 2017, 2018 & 2019
U8 (Mite): 2015 & 2016 birth years
WARRIORS:
U10 (Squirt): 2013 & 2014
U12 (Pee Wee): 2011 & 2012
NORTH SHORE HOCKEY CLUB:
U14 (Bantam): 2009 & 2010
HOUSE SELECTS/MMDP:
The Club will continue to offer House Select teams for Mites, Squirts and Pee Wees and the Minor Mite Development Program (MMDP) for Minor Mites. These programs offer additional games and weekly practices for House League players who are looking to add more to their season. The schedule will begin around December 1st. Information will be posted in early November.
*Wondering why we split Jr. Warriors vs Warriors? Minor Mite and Mite players must register to get a number with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU); Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget players must register with USA Hockey. This is because of the different league affiliations at the different levels
Practices & Games
All games and practices are held at NSIA, Winnetka Ice Arena (WIA) or Watts Ice Center.
Practices are at consistent times on the weekends, which allows for ease of participating in other sports/activities.
U6 (Minor Mite): Practices: Sat. AM @ WIA/NSIA; Games: Sun. between 11:15a-1:10p @ WIA
U8 (Mite): Practices: Sun. 11:00a-3:30p @ NSIA; Games: Sat. between 10:15a-1:15p @ WIA
U10 (Squirt): Practices: Sat. AM @WIA/NSIA; Games: Sun. between 2:45-5:00p @WIA and nearby communities**.
U12 (Pee Wee): Practices: Sat. late afternoon @ WIA; Games: Sun. late afternoon at home rinks, nearby communities**.
U14 (Bantam): Practices: TBD; Games: Sun. early evening at home rinks, nearby communities**.
Each team will play roughly 20-30 games throughout the season, which ends around Spring Break.
*No games played over Thanksgiving or Winter Break.
**Times vary when playing away games
Important Dates
SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
Optional pre-season clinics begin for Minor Mites, Mites, Squirts and Peewees. Focus is on skating, puck handling and shooting. Each group will meet for 3 one-hour sessions (9/10, 9/17, 9/23)
Evaluations begin for Bantams. Practices follow that week.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
Evaluations begin for Minor Mites, Mites, Squirts and Peewees at Winnetka and NSIA.
OCTOBER 1, 2023
Season gets underway for all age levels
Coaching & Uniforms
COACHES:
House League program is led by Hockey Director Chris Wickersham and Mite Director Charlie Widmar.
Each team will have 2-3 volunteer parent coaches, which is a fantastic way to get involved with your child's hockey career.
Click here for the Volunteer Coach Form
UNIFORMS:
Jerseys will be provided as part of the House League program fee.
All other required equipment is to be provided by the player.
Season Fees
Our fees are between $950 and $1,200 (depending on level) and include ice time for all games and practice sessions, team jersey, referees for all games, professional instruction, as well as expenses related to the staffing and operation of the Winnetka Hockey Club (bookkeeping, audit, insurance, and WHC staff).
Minor Mites and Mites must first register with Amateur Athletic Union (AAU); and Squirts-Bantams must register with USA Hockey (add'l fees apply).
House league fees are 100% refundable until October 1. From October 1-15, there is a $75 processing fee. After October 15, there are no refunds.
Interested in receiving financial aid? Contact the WHC Treasurer for more info.
