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 are known as the Winnetka Warriors. Bantam teams will play as a joint program with Wilmette Junior Trevians known as the North Shore Hockey Club.
Before registering, each player must be registered with either USA Hockey or AAU for the 2024-2025 season.
Bantam (2010 & 2011), Pee Wee (2012 & 2013) and Squirt (2014 & 2015) register with USA Hockey here.
Mite (2016 & 2017) and Minor Mite (2018, 2019 & 2020) register with AAU here after Aug. 15.
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): 2018, 2019 & 2020
U8 (Mite): 2016 & 2017 birth years
WARRIORS:
U10 (Squirt): 2014 & 2015
U12 (Pee Wee): 2012 & 2013
NORTH SHORE HOCKEY CLUB:
U14 (Bantam): 2010 & 2011
HOUSE SELECTS/MMDP:
The Club will continue to offer House Select teams for Mites 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, and Bantam 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. mornings and early afternoons @WIA.
U8 (Mite): Practices: Sun. 11:00a-3:30p @ NSIA; Games: Sat. mornings and early afternoons @WIA
U10 (Squirt): Practices: Sat. morning or afternoon @WIA/NSIA; Games: Primarily Sundays @WIA and nearby communities**.
U12 (Pee Wee): Practices: Sat. 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 typically play weekly 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 15, 2024
Optional pre-season clinics begin for Minor Mites, Mites, Squirts and Peewees. Focus is on skating, puck handling and shooting. Sessions will be Saturday and/or Sunday on 9/15, 9/21, 9/22, 9/28 ad 9/29.
Evaluations begin for Bantams. Practices follow that week.
SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 6
Evaluations begin for Minor Mites, Mites, Squirts and Peewees at Winnetka and NSIA.
OCTOBER 5 - OCTOBER 12
Season gets underway for all age levels
Coaching & Uniforms
COACHES:
House League program is led by Assistant Hockey Director Charlie Widmar. Please contact Charlie for all questions.
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 $990 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.
