Tryout Registration

Thank you for your interest in joining the Chicago Blues Hockey Club for the 2026-2027 season. We are excited to welcome you as we embark on our 30th year of excellence on the ice.

Since 1996, the Blues have been committed to developing skilled hockey players and shaping well-rounded individuals. We teach respect, hard work and accountability; values that extend far beyond the rink. As we celebrate three decades of tradition, our focus remains on providing an elite-level, competitive environment where players grow, build lasting friendships, and develop a true passion for the game. Our professional staff is dedicated to ensuring every athlete, from Mite to Midget, receives the guidance and instruction necessary to reach their highest potential.



• The Blues skate out of one of Illinois' best hockey facilities, the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville.
• We offer a network of five professional hockey directors with a combined 74 years of youth hockey instruction.
• Our head coaches work hand-in-hand with our directors to create the ultimate youth hockey experience for our players.
• Expert goalie coaching focuses on overall fundamentals while also aligning with each goalie’s particular skill level and physical attributes.
• Off-ice training programs appropriately designed for each age level by Goodman Elite Training (Squirt-Midget)
• Multiple in-season tournaments (if available).
• Every player receives a warm-up suit.

*Please note - Conditioning clinics will take place after tryouts. Your player should plan to attend all sessions associated with their birth year. Goalies should plan to attend goalie clinics and birth year related clinics.

The Chicago Blues hold tryouts at each age division (Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget) for each of our Central States Development Hockey League (CSDHL), and Chicago United Hockey League (CUHL) teams.

Players for each team are selected based on the assessments of the coaches and hockey directors for each level. They determine both the player's ability and the players "fit" for a particular role on the team being selected. Players should attend the team tryout of the particular team they wish to reasonably make. It is also reasonable for players to try out for the next highest-level team of where they expect to be placed.

Tryouts are structured over a four-day period. Tryouts for CSDHL Major/Minor teams are scheduled on the first and second day of tryouts. Prospect tryouts are typically scheduled on the third and fourth day of tryouts. 

Cuts may be made after successive tryouts in the interest of allowing the coaches the best chance to review the prospective players for each team. Upon completion of a respective team’s tryout, the director assigned to that team will send an email (within 24 hours of the completion of the last tryout for that specific team) advising you if your son/daughter has been invited to join that team for the upcoming season. Upon receipt of that email, you will have 48 HOURS to accept that invitation and to register your son/daughter for that team for the upcoming season (there will be a registration link in the email you receive from the director). If you decline the invitation or if you do not accept the invitation within the 48-hour time period, your son’s/daughter’s roster spot will be given to another player, and your son/daughter will not be eligible for placement on any other Blues team for the current season.  

Season fees can either be paid in full via Credit Card or ACH, or the option 4 equal split payment plan.

Payment plan dates are as follows:

• Acceptance of roster spot (immediately after tryouts end)
• October 1
• November 1
• December 1

For Registration or Crossbar questions please contact Sara Gerardi at saramccabe30@gmail.com