Become a Star

If your goal is for a child to eventually play for the Glenview Stars travel hockey program, the typical development path looks like this:

1. Learn to Skate (Ages 3–8)

Start with basic skating at the Glenview Community Ice Center. Children learn:

Balance and falling safely
Forward skating
Stopping
Turning
Basic edge control

Skating is the foundation of hockey, so most coaches recommend becoming comfortable on skates before focusing on puck skills.

2. Learn to Play Hockey

Once a child can skate independently, they transition into beginner hockey development, where they learn:

Stickhandling
Passing
Shooting
Hockey skating techniques
Small-area games

3. Dynamite Hockey (House League)

The Glenview Park District's Dynamite program is designed for the youngest players (generally those born in 2019 or later for the current season). It is an instructional house league with:

One practice each week
One game each week
Teams formed after evaluation sessions
Focus on fun, skating, and basic hockey skills rather than winning (webtrrac.glenviewparks.org)

This is an excellent first hockey experience after Learn to Skate.

4. Mite Hockey

After Dynamites, players move into Mite Hockey with Glenview Jr. Stars (typically ages 7–8, depending on birth year).

The Glenview Jr Stars Mite season runs roughly from mid-September through mid-March with tryouts in August before teams are selected.

Players who demonstrate strong skating, hockey sense, and commitment can try out for the Glenview Jr. Stars travel Mite program.

The travel program generally includes:

2–3 practices per week
League games
Tournaments
Higher-level coaching
Greater time and financial commitment

Selection is based on tryouts, with skating ability being one of the biggest factors.

Tips for Success

For young players (ages 4–8), the biggest predictor of success is skating. Many experienced coaches recommend:

Skating 2–3 times per week
Attending public skate sessions in addition to lessons
Keeping hockey fun and avoiding early specialization
Not rushing into travel hockey before a child is ready

A player who develops excellent skating in Learn to Skate and the Dynamite/Mite programs will be well positioned to compete for a spot on the Glenview Jr. Stars when eligible.