Dear Wilmette Braves Players and Families,

We hope you are having a safe and enjoyable summer. The Wilmette Hockey Association (WHA) is excited about welcoming all players for the 2020-2021 season. Please know that in preparing for this season, we have been working closely with USA Hockey, the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), the Chicago United Hockey League and the Illinois Department of Public Health to help us create a safe, valuable and fun experience for our players.

COVID-19 Update

The health and safety of our athletes, staff, coaches and families is our highest priority. WHA is mandated to follow the guidelines and requirements of the organizations mentioned above to safely run our programming. As of this writing, we are taking these actions to keep our players safe:

• Requiring players to wear masks into and out of the rink
• Limiting the number of players on the ice at any given time according to state guidelines
• Implementing drill spacing as much as possible to reduce physical distance between players
• Limiting the number of spectators inside Centennial Ice Rink and North Shore Ice Arena

As the situation with COVID-19 is constantly in flux, we may have to make some adjustments along the way and we ask for your patience, understanding and support. We are committed to working through these challenges and the continued delivery of a program which focuses on player development.

What’s New at WHA

We are committed to delivering a program which focuses on player development and creating a positive experience for our families. There are lot of new things in store!

Back in February, Tim Benz joined us as our Hockey Director. Since then, he has been working hard to redesign our programs, taking into consideration your valuable feedback. He’s assembled an excellent coaching staff that includes both familiar and new names. Some of new things you’ll see this season:

• Enhanced youth program offering – from Mites through Midgets – as well as our successful Girls program
• Incorporation of the Mite program under the Braves umbrella as the Wilmette Junior Braves (formerly Wilmette Tribe)
• Focus on player development across all levels – House League, NIHL and CSDHL
• Off-ice training at the Travel level

Registration for Braves Now Open

Registration for the 2020-2021 season is now open for House, Travel, and Girls programs. Registration for Junior Braves (Mite House and Mite Travel) opens August 1. As part of the Travel team registration, players will be provided:

• Breezer shell pants
• Home and away socks
• DriFit-style training shirt
• Winter skull cap

Conditioning and Tryouts

The conditioning and tryout schedule has been set and is now posted to the WHA website. Please check there for player level specifics. The process begins 8/15.

Travel Jersey Orders

Travel jerseys for new players (or if an existing player needs a replacement) at the Squirt though Midget level are available through the Wilmette Bicycle and Sport Shop. The team there will start fittings and take orders on July 29. 

Call for Volunteers

The WHA is strong because of our dedicated volunteers. There are many opportunities throughout the year for parents to help with a variety of needs. This year volunteer sign-ups and service hours will be tracked through a module in Sports Engine called DIBBS.  We will be applying a volunteer opt out fee for those Travel families that choose not to complete the number of service hours required. Look for more information and sign up opportunities as part of the registration process.

As we look forward to the season, know that we are working hard to continue delivering a great hockey experience that has been our tradition for more than 65 years. If you have any questions, please contact either of us. Thank you for your continued commitment and support.

Go Braves!!!

Tim Benz

WHA Hockey Director

Dennis McGreal

WHA President

Do you have a girl interested in playing travel hockey?
Learn about Our WHA Girls Hockey Program

See document below or go to the "Programs" tab for the upcoming Fall conditioning and tryout schedule as well as the coaching lineup.

The Wilmette Braves are pleased to announce that we will be having a Midget team for the upcoming 2020-2021 season!  The team will be led by Head Coach Bill Martin and compete in the NIHL U16 Elite division.  We will also have a midget house team that will participate in the NWHL (as long as we have player numbers to support a team). We are very excited to announce the great opportunity, please feel free to reach out to Hockey Director Tim Benz with any questions or concerns.

Thank You 
Tim Benz
Wilmette Hockey Director
847-502-4399
tjbenz12@gmail.com

Impact HOCKEY provides a challenging environment where players are pushed to work hard and have fun.  We focus on power skating, ADM skill development (USA HOCKEY), small area games and battles.  Our staff for 2020 is the strongest we have ever had and includes players/coaches from the NHL, College, AAA, HS, CSDHL and travel.  We are pleased to offer the above programs for Minor Mite through Bantam:

Coach Travel Hockey with the Wilmette Braves. If you love to teach and inspire the next generation of hockey players contact Willmette Hockey.