In this episode of BlueLine Banter, host Nick Skweres sits down with the Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms player development team – Steve Poapst, Steve Climo, Brian Lite and Ricky Gomez – to answer one of the most common questions in youth hockey: "Is my kid where they're supposed to be?" Together, they break down the player placement and development process from Mite to Midget, explaining how skills, effort, and more impact each player's path. The coaches discuss benchmarks at every le...

In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Hockey Director Steve Poapst, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development Steve Climo, Club President Amanda Hanlon, and PeeWee Director Brian Lite join host Nick Skweres to break down everything you’d learn at the Chicago Hawks Hockey Parent Meeting – without the PowerPoint slides. 🏒 Join us as we cover key updates for the season, including: 📅 How to stay informed and on top of everything going on🧊 Team expectations, communication tips, and volu...

Grab your clubs and your Hawks pride – we’re swinging into the first Chicago Hawks fundraiser of the season! In this episode, we tee up all the details for the 2025 Chicago Hawks Golf Outing, happening Saturday, August 30 at Village Greens in Woodridge. Join host Nick Skweres, Hockey Director Steve Poapst and board member Pete Bilecki as they break down the day’s schedule of events and how this event will help raise critical funds to offset rising ice costs and keep hockey more affordable for...

In this special alumni episode of BlueLine Banter, we sit down with former Chicago Hawks players who’ve traded their youth hockey jerseys for new chapters – but have never left the game behind. From unforgettable goals to life lessons learned in the locker room, these Hawks alums reflect on their time with the club, how it shaped their journey, and what they’re up to today on and off the ice. Whether they’re playing college puck, coaching the next generation, or preparing to crush it in the r...

🎙️ In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Hockey Director Steve Poapst, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development Steve Climo, Goaltending Director Bob Zalabak and Coach Ryan Sullivan join host Nick Skweres to break down the highlights from the new and improved spring hockey program – the big wins, lessons learned, and a few unforgettable moments. We also look at what's ahead this summer, including camps, conditioning, and the 3v3 summer ice cream league you won't want to miss...

The Chicago Hawks recording studio was full for this latest episode of BlueLine Banter. Tune in as our new PeeWee Director Brian Lite, Squirt Director Ricky Gomez and Goalie Liaison Bob Zalabak join Hawks Hockey Director Steve Poapst, Mite Director & Director of Early Player Development Steve Climo and our favorite host Nick Skewers to discuss their new leadership roles and goals as we head into a revamped Spring Hockey Program and prepare for the 2025-2026 travel hockey season. The...

In this episode of BlueLine Banter the Goalie's take over for a "Conversation from the Crease" to help our Hawks and Phantoms goalies mentally prepare for the playoffs! Two-time Stanley Cup Winner and Chicago Blackhawks Legend Corey Crawford, former Blackhawk and current San Diego Gulls Goalie Coach Jeff Glass, join our Chicago Hawks Goalie Liaison Bob Zalabak, Chicago Hawks Hockey Director Steve Poapst and Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development to discuss t...

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club believes in the long-term athletic development and growth for players on and off the ice. The Chicago Hawks Girls Program has gained momentum and success in recent years. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms take great pride in providing young ladies with the environment, confidence and passion to grow, not only as hockey players, but as human beings too! In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Girls Hockey Director Ryan Sullivan and Girls Hockey Liaison and H...

Many of our Mite players and families will be heading off to their first travel hockey tournament in the coming weeks. Unlike any other age level, all six of our Phantoms teams travel to the same two tournaments together. It's a Phantastic opportunity for these players and families to get to know each other, play some hockey, stay in a hotel and have some awesome Phantoms fun! Tune in as Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development talks with Hockey Director Steve Poa...

Tryouts are well behind us. You've made a team. You're a Chicago Hawk! You're a Phantom! Now what? In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Nick Skweres is joined by Hockey Director Steve Poapst and Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development to talk about what lies ahead for the 2024-2025 season. From the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club core values to practice, the locker room, development and more - tune in as they banter about the Club's expectations for our players, parents a...

BlueLine Banter is back! In this episode Hockey Director Steve Poapst and Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development return to answer questions straight from our Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms players. From who wins in a 1 vs. 1 battle, to what it's like to coach various age groups all the way to their favorite ice cream and more – get the inside scoop on all the things our players want to know! Learn more about the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club at chicagohawkshockey....

Tryouts for the 2024-2025 season are right around the corner for the Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms! In this episode of BlueLine Banter you'll hear key insights on how to prepare with conditioning skates, drop-in sessions and more. Be ready to give it your all! For schedules and registration for tryouts, conditioning and drop-in skates, visit chicagohawkshockey.com today! The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien...

In this first episode of BlueLine Banter, Hockey Director Steve Poapst and Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development talk about who we are. They also discuss what makes the Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms unique, player development within our youth hockey club, coaches, our awesome families and much more! #BeAHawk #BeAPhantom Learn more about the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club at chicagohawkshockey.com. The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in ...