The Grand Rapids Blades offers Developmental Programs: Learn to Skate, Cross Ice and Mites and a new partnership with the Red Wings on the NHL-sponsored Little Wings Learn to Play program. See below for additional information.

Questions?

The Blades understand navigating youth hockey may be confusing, especially at the early ages. Please contact our Hockey Director, Steve Carden, with any questions you may have.

Steve Carden

director@grblades.org

313-445-2877

Eagles Ice Center is the home of the Grand Rapids Blades. 

Address: 2600 Village Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Head Coach - Ryan DeClercq ryanpauldeclercq@gmail.com

Learn to Skate is for children who are brand new to the ice — this is a beginner skating program, not a hockey program.

Our goal is simple: help kids build confidence and comfort on skates in a fun, low-pressure environment. Kids who love their first time on the ice are the ones who stick with it.

This program is a good fit if your child:

∙ Has little to no skating experience

∙ Needs help with basic balance and movement

This program is NOT a good fit if your child:

∙ Can already skate independently

∙ Is looking for hockey drills or game play

If your child can already skate, check out our Cross Ice or Mites program instead.

Not sure which program is right? Contact us before registering.

USA Hockey Registration required. https://membership.usahockey.com/ for your 2026/27 number.

Required Equipment: Helmet (bike helmet works great), skates, warm clothes, and mittens. A limited number of rental skates are available to loan for use at the beginning of each session. 

Optional Equipment: Hockey stick to aid with balance.

2026/27 Session Schedule:

Session 1 starts 10/3/26 (7 skates)

Session 2 starts 11/21/26 (7 skates)

Session 3 starts 1/16/27 (7 skates)

Head Coach - Brandon Burns Brandonjburns5@gmail.com

Cross Ice is where hockey begins.

Designed for kids who can already skate and are ready to learn to play the game. Players develop fundamental hockey skills through drills, small-area games, and coached instruction in a fun, age-appropriate environment.

Good fit if your child:

∙ Can skate independently

∙ Is ready for hockey-specific instruction

∙ Wants to learn and develop as a player

Not sure if your child is ready? Reach out — we’re happy to help.

USA Hockey Registration required. https://membership.usahockey.com/ for your 2026/27 number.

Required Equipment: Full hockey gear required — helmet, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey pants, shin pads, hockey socks, skates, and stick.

2026/27 Season Schedule:

9/28/26 - Beginning of March 2027

Head Coach - Sam VanSchepen samvs1634@gmail.com

Mites is the bridge to full ice hockey.

Players at this level have built a solid foundation and are ready for the next challenge. Mites offers a structured season with regular weekend games, focused practices, and real game experience — preparing players for Squirt and beyond.

Good fit if your child:

∙ Is 7 or 8 years old (2018/2019 birth year)

∙ Has completed Cross Ice or has equivalent experience

∙ Is ready for a game schedule and higher expectations

Mites is our most advanced youth development program, so if you’re not sure your child is ready, we’d love to help you figure that out — just reach out before registering.

USA Hockey Registration required. https://membership.usahockey.com/ for your 2026/27 number.

Required Equipment: Full hockey gear required — helmet, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey pants, shin pads, hockey socks, skates, and stick.

2026/27 Season Schedule:

9/21/26 - Beginning of March 2027

Head Coach - Steve Carden director@grblades.org

Little Wings / Learn to Play includes everything your child needs to get started in hockey.

What’s Included:

∙ Full equipment set to keep — helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, skates, bag, stick, and a Little Wings jersey customized by your local NHL team

∙ 7-week session of age-appropriate instruction at no additional cost

∙ Discount code to continue in the full 21-session program for just $70 (a $300 value)

Eligibility:

Ages 5–9 with no prior USA Hockey team experience.

Basic skating skills are required — we recommend completing a Learn to Skate program before registering.

Little Wings registration for all sessions this season is now closed. Please check back in the fall of 2026 to sign up your player for next season!