Lets Talk Helmets

The new youth hockey season is in full swing, unfortunately, so are head injuries.  Having coached only  6 games with my midget teams, I have already had 3 of my players out with head injuries - to be specific, concussions.  It's got to stop.

There are times when a head injury is brought on by an illegal check, but this is not always the case. Concussions can also occur due to an awkward or untimely fall, as well as from a perfectly legal check.  So, whats the answer?  The best head protection money can buy.

I turned to our area expert, Bryan Kowalski, manager at BNR Pro Shop.  Asked him quite simply, "Which helmets do you recommend for the best protection from head injuries?"  He was quick to reply.  "Without a doubt, the Re-Akt helmet from Bauer or the Warrior Krown 360." Bryan further explains why - "These helmets offer the best protection for rotational force hits, which are side impact hits that cause the player to suffer long term or severe concussions.  Majority of helmets on the market today only protect frontal impact."  Parents, take note, whether your skater is a mite or a midget, its time to seriously protect their head from all angles.

Next I asked about the cost.  At BNR (Illinois locations in All Seasons Ice Rink in Naperville and Fox Valley Ice Rink in Geneva) the cost for the Re-Akt is $199.99  and the Warrior Krown retails at $139.99.  For you Naperville Sabre parents, you all received a gift card from the club, invest it wisely, get your child a top of the line helmet.  Lets keep our skaters on the ice, and keep their heads protected, they will need their brains to work for far more important things than hockey.

Yours in Hockey,

Cheli

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Be Prepared For Tryouts

There's nothing worse than the feeling of rejection. To be told your not good enough, fast enough, or strong enough is devastating, no matter how the coach puts it. Tryouts are getting ever closer, and the time to being in peak form is drawing near. Summer Hockey Camps are the best way to stay in shape, or even whoop your backside into tryout form.


Sure, it matters how much  time you spend on the ice, but it's also just as important what you are doing off  ice that will help with your improvement. Off season conditioning does not only include on ice and gym training, there are a lot of summer activities that help you cross train.  Shooting pucks in the driveway, rollerblading, even other sports like lacrosse and baseball can help you improve different aspects of your game. Being on the ice is fantastic, but if it is not always available to you, and there are other fun alternatives to on-ice training. If the thought of giving up the ice rink for the whole summer is just unbearable....Read on.


CCH Xtreme has a variety of Hockey Camps that will help you achieve your goal of making whatever team you are shooting for. Check out the Camps and Clinics tab on CheliosHokey.com for everything we have to offer. Competition for spots is getting tougher and tougher, make sure your chances are at there best by being in the best shape possible.

Enjoy your summer!

Yours in Hockey,


Coach Cheli

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Pushing for Banners

Try-outs are just around the corner! Midget Tier 1 hockey begins their evaluations this month, followed by High School hockey next month, and Tier 2 as well as Recreational leagues in September. Illinois Hockey shows every year that it's top team can be a National Championship contender. In order to make it to nationals, you must be Blackhawk Cup champions come next spring. Help your team become Illinois Youth Ice Hockey state champs, and national contenders, by being in shape, and making that elite team you have been striving for.

CCH Xtreme has plenty of Youth Hockey Camps that will not only keep you in shape, but help you improve your overall game. Our Battle Camps will help you or your player become a force to be reckon with in every aspect of the game. Our Midget Boot camp will whip any player into peak shape right before the opening of tryouts. Hockey Summer Camps are a must if you want to be on the top team, and get good playing time.

If you are looking for individual skill work, Private Hockey Lessons can give you one on one training, while focusing on each aspect on the game, the player wants to improve on the most. Illinois Ice Hockey is one of the most competitive states to play in, with talent spread across the state, and every club having a chance at that coveted state title, and for the possible chance at the USA Hockey National Championships. Check out our website at www.chelioshockey.com to find the right camp, clinic, or lesson for you or your player. Hope all is well, and your golf scores low.

Yours in Hockey


Coach Cheli

Off and....Skating!

Summer is officially in full swing. This week begins the regular season for two of the largest summer leagues in Illinois Hockey. My Adult Hockey League summer session fires up as well as the regular season to my 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 Youth Ice Hockey Leagues. This year is the busiest that we have ever been at CCH Xtreme. We have just shy of 100 Youth Ice Hockey teams and a healthy couple dozen Adult Ice Hockey teams. Life without the NHL on TV can be tough, but there is always some good hockey around the corner if you need your fix. Speaking of the NHL, the awards ceremony is tonight in Vegas, that would be a fun trip.

If you did not find yourself in one of our Summer Hockey Leagues, not to worry! There are numerous Youth Hockey Camps hosted by CCH Xtreme. Check out the website at chelioshockey.com for details on the many Hockey Summer Camps held by us at a variety of locations. Remember, you will only get out of this summer, what you put into it. Try-outs are just around the corner, make sure you make the team you set out for this fall. Private Hockey Lessons are available all summer and are taught by myself, as well as my trained instructors, that have carried their hockey careers on past the youth level. I hope you have been enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having. Don't forget to do some daily exercises to keep your game at its peak through the summer. I hope all is well, and I'll see you around the rink!

Yours in Hockey,

Coach Cheli

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New Kings Crowned!

Wow, what an explosion of offense last night. It seemed like everyone got into the action last night for Los Angeles. With their backs inching closer to that proverbial wall, the Kings put the finishing touch on the New Jersey Devils with the pedal to the floor for a full 60 minutes. Pierre McGuire asked the Kings captain last night, “What will this do for hockey in southern California…?”. Like a true captain he mentioned how the “Great One” was what started it all in SoCal, and that we will have to wait about 20 years or so to find out. In the past few years, we have seen number jump exponentially in Illinois Hockey since our Blackhawks won the cup in 2010. We saw a jump in everything from my Learn to Play Ice Hockey programs, all the way through my Adult Hockey Leagues. It’s great to see people embrace the game, especially the ones who did not have a chance to play after their days in Youth Ice Hockey, and are beginning to replay this wonderful game.

It will be a long summer without our beloved game on TV, but there are plenty of things to fill the time. Now, I’m not talking about sitting around watching the Olympics, eating chips, and drinking soda. If you want to succeed at your level, just like the Kings achieved last night, there is a lot of Hockey Training to be done. We have numerous Hockey Lessons available, or even just going outside and stickhandling. The weather today is great, strap on those roller blades and take a spin around your neighborhood. It may seem like a long time away, but August and September try-outs and evaluations are right around the corner, and you want to look your best for your new coach this year.

Yours in Hockey

Coach Cheli

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Super Success!!!

It is now the day after. Super Sunday has concluded with great success. We saw many teams raise the cup as champions of their respective levels, and to see the smile on the kids’ faces gave me true perspective on why I got into this great profession. I would like to congratulate everyone on great seasons, as everyone showed great improvement this season. I would also like to thank all of the volunteer coaches who came out every week and made it fun for the kids. This season could not have run as smooth as it did without you.

This week also begins the start of the 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 season.  I am excited to announce that this year we have again set a new record of teams registered to play this summer. Hockey summer camps and clinics are also upon us. Check out what is in store under the CCH Xtreme Camps & Clinics tab at chelioshockey.com! Starting soon is the Puck and Tee camp, an excellent camp where young players can learn the best of both worlds, hockey and golf. The S3 Battle Camp is another great hockey camp where players can get in shape and hone their skills for the upcoming year. Other hockey camps include the ADM weekly camp, the FUNdamentals camp, For the Tenders Clinic as well as the rapidly approaching Midget Boot Camp. CCH Xtreme hockey has camps for players of all ages and skill sets.

I hope your summer has started off as well as mine, and I look forward to seeing everyone around the rink.

Yours in Hockey,

 Coach Cheli

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