Learn To Skate / Learn to Play

This program is designed for young pre-k, kindergartners, and new-to-skating first through third grader boys and girls who are interested in learning to skate. It is focused on creating a welcoming environment to foster a love for the player’s time spent on the ice. Our goal is for the players to learn the most basic skating skills while having fun.

Learn to Skate is an introduction to the ice where the kids will work on getting comfortable skating. This class is very relaxed and all about having fun while learning how to skate. During these session there are no sticks or pucks, but the kids will play many interactive games on the ice to work up a sweat!

• Learn to Skate: Effective skating skills infused in the program to develop future hockey players. Designed for participants ages 3 yrs to 8 yrs.

This program is designed for players aged 10 or younger who have basic skating experience and or have graduated from a Learn to Skate program. ADM (American Development Model) skill and techniques integrated in to the program. Program will meet typically 3 days per week, Friday night (Game Night), Saturday mornings (Power Skating) and Sunday mornings (Skills Development). Players are required to have full hockey equipment for our Learn to Play program including helmet, skates, neck guard, elbow pads, shoulder pads, shin/knee guards, hockey pants and hockey gloves.

How do I register my player for a session? Registration is done via the link on this website. If you have any questions about the program or need help registering, please contact Darcy Folliard at the link below.  Please note your child must have 2024-2025 USA Hockey Insurance to participate, please click here to register with USA Hockey.

What equipment will my player need to participate in the Little Squires Learn to Skate program?   All you need to get started in our LTS classes is a helmet with face guard, neck guard and ice skates. Hockey equipment (excluding skates and neck guard) in limited sizes is available to rent; please contact Darcy Folliard at the address below for more information. Players may wear their own jerseys or may purchase a reversible St. Jude jersey also used by the Little Knights Learn to Play program for $50. If your player has a green/white reversible jersey from last season that fits, they do not need to purchase another reversible jersey.

Who may participate? The St. Jude Pre-Hockey program is open to players born in 2021 through 2014 interested in learning to skate.

What are you teaching? The Knights Coaching Staff subscribes to the American Development Model of instruction based on the foundation of play, love, and excel. Learn the basics in their simplest form- fun. If they’re having the fun, the excelling part is easy

I am not familiar with the USA Hockey ADM model. Where can I learn more? Additional information on the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) can be found at www.ADMKids.com . The St. Jude organization won 2011 Program of the Year from the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI).