Travel Hockey
spring season
The GR Blades spring travel hockey programs are geared towards expanding skating, skill, and overall hockey development with an emphasis on flexibility and fun. Our spring program provides a great opportunity for players interested in trying out for the fall/winter travel teams to skate together while having the flexibility to participate in spring activities away from the rink.
Details on the programming offered for each team can be found along the right pane on this page.
Highlights:
- Increased number of practice sessions to provide attendance flexibility for those participating in spring sports
- Break from the standard practice format with emphasis on organized small area games to promote fun, creativity, and competition
- Sunday skill sessions led by Mitch Parsons and staff from Parsons Hockey School provide focused skill and skating development
- Checking clinics for Bantams
- Full time goalies play for free!
- Team-specific plans for gameplay and tournament participation
spring travel team information
squirt a
Coach: Blake Fetzer (bfetzer1@hotmail.com)
Program Details:
- 10 3-on-3 sessions (7 Monday, 3 Friday)
- 4 Sunday afternoon skill sessions
- 2 Friday night drop-in sessions
- Local weekend games
- Local tournament (4 games)
Season Schedule:
- Team tryouts week of 3/18
- Season runs from 3/25 to 5/19 (no sessions during spring break)
Cost:
- Player cost = $250
- Full time goalie cost = FREE
Squirt aa
Coach: Andy Hooper (hooperac@gmail.com)
Program Details:
- 10 3-on-3 sessions (7 Monday, 3 Friday)
- 4 Sunday afternoon skill sessions
- 2 Friday night drop-in sessions
- Lumberjack Showdown Hockey Tournament, May 10 - 12 at Walker Ice and Fitness Center
Season Schedule:
- Team tryouts week of 3/18
- Season runs from 3/25 to 5/19 (no sessions during spring break)
Cost:
- Player cost = $150 + tournament/game fees*
- Full time goalie cost = FREE
* Tournament/game fees will be divided evenly across final player count
PeeWee A
Coach: Rod Grandfield (rodgrandfield@gmail.com)
Program Details:
- 10 3-on-3 sessions (7 Monday, 3 Friday)
- 4 Sunday afternoon skill sessions
- 2 Friday night drop-in sessions
- Tournament/Games TBD
Season Schedule:
- Team tryouts week of 3/18
- Season runs from 3/25 to 5/19 (no sessions during spring break)
Cost:
- Player cost = $150 + tournament/game fees*
- Full time goalie cost = FREE
* Tournament/game fees will be divided evenly across final player count
PeeWee AA
Coach: Jason Koole (jason@howieshockeytape.com)
Program Details:
- 10 3-on-3 sessions (7 Monday, 3 Friday)
- 4 Sunday afternoon skill sessions
- 2 Friday night drop-in sessions
- PWAA Exhibition Weekend (Kentwood Ice Arena): 4/26 - 4/28
Season Schedule:
- Team tryouts week of 3/18
- Season runs from 3/25 to 5/19 (no sessions during spring break)
Cost:
- Player cost = $150 + tournament/game fees*
- Full time goalie cost = FREE
* Tournament/game fees will be divided evenly across final player count
Bantam A
Coach: Spring program will be run by Calvin University coaching staff and players – contact Mike Petrusma (director@grblades.org)
Program Details:
- 10 3-on-3 sessions (7 Wednesday, 3 Friday)
- 4 Sunday afternoon skill sessions
- 2 Friday night drop-in sessions
- 2 Body checking clinics
Season Schedule:
- Season runs from 3/25 to 5/19 (no sessions during spring break)
Cost:
- Player cost = $175
- Full time goalie cost = FREE
Bantam Aa
Coach: Spring program will be run by Calvin University coaching staff and players – contact Mike Petrusma (director@grblades.org)
Program Details:
- 10 3-on-3 sessions (7 Wednesday, 3 Friday)
- 4 Sunday afternoon skill sessions
- 2 Friday night drop-in sessions
- 2 Body checking clinics
Season Schedule:
- Season runs from 3/25 to 5/19 (no sessions during spring break)
Cost:
- Player cost = $175
- Full time goalie cost = FREE
spring ice schedule
General Information
Where
Eagles Ice Center is the home of the Grand Rapids Blades.
When
The Fall/Winter season typically runs from August to mid March.
Games
Games will typically be on the weekends.
Games will be scheduled by the team staff. The amount of games played will vary between age groups.
Practices
Teams practice 2 times per week with additional skill sessions throughout the season.
Ages
The Grand Rapids Blades strives to be congruent with USA Hockey's American Development Model. With that in mind, our philosophy is that our players participate at their appropriate age level.
PLAYING UP POLICY
Parents may petition the Blades organization for special consideration in their child's team placement. Here are the steps needed for players to be considered to play out of their age level.
1. All petitions for travel and House teams are to be submitted via email to the Managing Director two weeks prior to fall tryouts (travel) or drafting of rosters (house).
2. Each request will be reviewed individually with the decision to grant or deny the petition solely at the discretion of the Leadership Group.
3. The Group’s decisions must and will be consistent with MAHA’s rules governing these requests.
These procedures apply to following age groups: Squirts, PeeWees, Bantams, and Midgets for both the house and travel levels.
2024 Spring
(Scroll down for registration link)
spring Travel registration
Registration is open for 2024 Spring Season Travel Season! Click the link below and follow the steps to register your player.
Squirt A, Squirt AA, PeeWee A, and PeeWee AA
Register for tryouts using the below link.
Bantam A and Bantam AA
Spring programming is open to all Bantam-age players. No tryouts will be held.
Register for the spring season using the below link.
Refer to the "Travel Hockey" page on the website for the tryout schedule along with information on coaches spring travel hockey programming.
Team tryouts are open to all interested players within their appropriate age group. Parents may petition the Blades organization for special consideration to have their child play out of their age level. Send request in an email to Hockey Director, Mike Petrusma (director@grblades.org) by March March 18th.
Please contact coaches directly for interest or questions.
tryout COST
$10 per player. Payment will be collected during the online registration process.
Tryouts are free for goaltenders (use Code: 2024SPRINGGOALIE)