WINTER BREAK SKILLS AND GOALIE CAMP

WINTER BREAK SKILLS AND GOALIE CAMP

The Grand Rapids Blades will be hosting a Blades-only 3-session skills camp for players and goalies. Each session will be 70 minutes.

For skaters, the focus will be on refining core skills in skating, passing, shooting, puck handing, spatial intelligence, and situational awareness.

For goalies, the majority of each session will be dedicated to goaltender development separate from the skaters. Coach Cassady, Director of Goaltending, will be working with goalies in each session. Focus will be on edge control, crease movement, positioning, and save mechanics. Near the end of each session, goalies and players will be brought together for integrated drills.

Schedule (subject to change based on registration)

Tuesday, December 26th

Wednesday, December 27th

Friday, December 29th

Session Age Groups (subject to change based on registration)

Age group break for session A and B is subject to change depending on registration numbers. Each Session will be capped at 22 skaters. There will be no capacity restriction on goalies.

Session A: 5 - 6:10 PM

Mite (2016 or older) - Squirt

Session B: 6:20 - 7:30 PM

Peewee - Bantam

Cost

$35 per session, or $105 for the full camp

Registration

Registration link: https://www.grblades.org/registration/player/11055/

Registration will close on December 15th

Questions?

If you have any questions, please reach out to Alec Slazas at playerdevelopment@grblades.org or John Cassady at goaltending@grblades.org.

2018 birth years skate for free

All Skaters with a 2018 Birthdate are welcome to join the Grand Rapids Blades Learn to Skate program and skate for free this season! You do not need to be a current Blades family to register, so please share this with family and friends who may have an interested skater.

Use the link below to register for our second session of Learn to Skate starting this Saturday, November 25th!

2018 Birthdates Skate Free!

Learn to Skate Session 2 Begins Saturday!

Our Learn to Skate program is separated into three, seven-skate sessions. While we encourage everyone to participate in all three sessions, but we understand that sometimes only one or two sessions work with a family’s schedule. We start each Learn to Skate session with the same format such that joining any session will allow your child to meet our goals for our Learn to Skate program.

2023/24 Session Schedule:

Session #2: November 25th - January 13th

Session #3: January 20th - March 2nd

Required Equipment: Helmet, skates, and warm clothes. A limited number of helmets and skates are available for loan for use at the beginning of each session. A limited number of rental skates will also be available at the rink. For the younger kids, warm substantially waterproof gloves along with insulated pants are recommended.

Optional Equipment: Hockey equipment including shin pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, hockey socks, hockey gloves, cup, shoulder pads, and a stick.

Register for Learn to Skate

Skill Sessions and Goalie Clinics

The first group of Skill Sessions has been scheduled. These supplemental development sessions are open to all Blades Squirt through Bantam players. Coach Slazas will be leading the kids through skating and edgework before jumping into age-appropriate skill drills.

Sun Dec 3 3:00 - 4:20 PM - Skills and goalie clinic

Sun Dec 17 3:00 - 4:20 PM - Skills and goalie clinic

GR Blades Coaches with NCAA D1 Playing Careers

Did you know the GR Blades have 6 coaches on staff throughout the organization with NCAA D1 college hockey playing careers? Not only do these coaches possess a high level knowledge of the game, they are amazing people that are dedicating their time to improve the development of our youth and build their passion for the game.

New Blades Jersey and Apparel Designs

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Congratulations to Blades Players Making the Jump to Tier 1 (AAA)!

The GR Blades congratulates the following Blades players that have earned a spot on Tier 1 (AAA) team rosters for the upcoming 2023-2024 season! Our goal is to support the development of our players to help them reach the level of hockey they desire to play, whatever that may be. While we will miss them this coming season, we are incredibly proud of their achievements!

Maddox Zoerhof - Fox Squirt Major

Henrik Velting - Fox Squirt Major

Jaxon Zuiderveen - Fox Pee Wee Minor

Marie Colpean - Fox Girls 12U Tier 1

Register for 2023/24 House and Developmental Hockey

Registration is now open for the 2023/24 House and Developmental Hockey

Links for registration and additional information on the programs:

Learn to Skate / Cross Ice / Mites

Squirt / Pee Wee / Bantam House

Contacts for Questions:

Director of Hockey: Mike Petrusma (director@grblades.org)

Director of Player Development: Alec Slazas (playerdevelopment@grblades.org)

Director of Goalie Development: John Cassady (goaltending@grblades.org) 

Director of Goaltending Development Announcement

The Blades are excited to announce our new Director of Goaltender Development John Cassady.

Read more