If your children want to play hockey, consider enrolling them in a hockey training camp where they can learn vital skills such as shooting, passing, skating, and stickhandling. These activities not only develop their skills but can also be useful for life beyond hockey. If your child is particularly serious about hockey, note that former NHL players and coaches facilitate some camps or have affiliations with NHL teams. Here are some of the top hockey camps in Chicago where your kids can perfect their hockey skills.
Grunnah Power Skating and Hockey School
Grunnah Power Skating and Hockey Training School offers various types of youth training, including lessons, clinics and camps, team training, and drop-ins. The clinics and camps provide hockey hopefuls with an environment to learn, practice, and perfect their hockey and skating skills. The clinics host a maximum of 24 skaters, while camps have a maximum of 34 players. In the camps, coaches focus on individual players to identify their strengths and correct their weaknesses. Register for the June and July summer camps early, because spots fill up fast.
Seven Bridges Ice Arena
Image via Flickr by azicehockey
This hockey training camp in Woodridge, Illinois, provides players with a strategic approach to develop key skill sets and make them dynamic hockey players. Each week of the training focuses on a specific skill, such as tactical drills, basic skill enhancement, or position-specific drills. Check the program calendar for camp dates and descriptions.
Greg Carter European Hockey Training Camp
The Greg Carter camp takes place at Canlan Ice Sports, in Romeoville, Illinois, and mainly focuses on individual skill development (ISD). The training helps students become competent hockey players. Through unique drills, students learn to improve agility, control, technique, reflex, muscle retention, and edge. The program’s ISD approach lets students learn each skill in a controlled environment and apply game situations and speed to finish the training. The hockey camp runs from June 21 to 25, 2021.
Global Hockey Camps and Clinics
This family-owned company with camps at Darien Sportsplex has been in business for the last 30 years. Over the decades, the staff and coaches have been committed to offering players the best opportunity to advance their hockey skills. Students and parents have access to expert knowledge so they can learn about the various routes hockey offers. An educational advisor can answer all questions regarding NCAA eligibility and education. Global also offers parents and students an opportunity to ask coaches questions about college hockey. This hockey camp takes place from June 4 to 6, 2021.
Fifth Third Arena
Fifth Third Arena is home to the Chicago Blackhawks. This community asset also provides beginner hockey classes, community programming, public skate, and adult hockey leagues. High school and youth hockey clubs also use the facilities. The arena hosts three youth hockey camps throughout the summer, with 2021 dates from July 12 to 16, July 26 to 30, and Aug. 2 to 6. During camp, your children get the opportunity to interact with renowned hockey coaches and players.
Johnny’s IceHouse West
Johnny’s IceHouse West’s youth program in Chicago offers a variety of lessons to get your child started on ice. It hosts four sessions of camps, with one each in winter, spring, summer, and fall. You can rely on experienced coaches to provide your child with lifelong skills. Johnny’s IceHouse West offers skating and on-ice skill development for children ages 2 through 10. This hockey training camp comprises five days of fun, skill development, and comradeship, with the upcoming summer session taking place Aug. 9 to 13.
The Blackhawks Virtual Academy
The Blackhawks Virtual Academy is a pilot program that runs for eight weeks in affiliation with HHD Hockey. The program offers trainees daily workouts, where they choose between two videos based on skill. These videos focus on shooting, agility, and stickhandling skills. Players get morning messages from Jamal Mayers, Eddie Olczyk, and other former hockey pros. They also get weekly talks from Blackhawks staff members, alumni, and ambassadors. The camp includes theme days that let campers interact via social media and win prizes. This year’s camp starts on July 6.
Prodigy Hockey
Prodigy Hockey was started by Brian Keane, one of the most experienced skills coaches in the nation. The training program offers an excellent opportunity for kids to learn the habits, skills, and tactical elements they require to play the game at any level. Trainers in the spring and summer camps study top players, incorporate their own experience, and use scientific research to offer students the best information. The training is available both online and offline.
Hockey Ministries International
Hockey Ministries International is a faith-based organization that uses a subtle approach to interact with hockey players in informal settings. The camp offers players and families an opportunity to worship, learn, practice, and perfect their hockey skills. Hockey Ministries International has taken the bold step to offer spiritual support to hockey players of all ages. The Chicago camp is open to boys and girls ages 9 to 17. The Christian hockey camp aims to prepare players to face challenges boldly, both on and off the ice.
Delaney Hockey
Delaney Hockey is a leading program for developing youths in Illinois to become top talents in hockey. Kevin Delaney, a skating and skills development coach for the Chicago Blackhawks, started the training center. Young players of any age can learn the fundamentals of skating and hockey. The experienced coaches also help players build confidence and a competitive edge. View the calendar of events to get a list of upcoming camps and times.
Goalies Inc.
Since its inception in 2008, Goalies Inc. has been offering unrivaled hockey training experiences for students. The training camps include two high-intensity days of off-ice and on-ice instruction. The program offers goaltenders robust fundamentals and clean footwork and how to use those skills in game situation drills. Students leave with the valuable skills and tactics they need to succeed in the game.
These are Gunzo’s favorite youth hockey camps in the Chicago area. Did you enjoy our list? Are we missing one of your favorites? If so, contact us, and we’ll add it to our collection!