Travel Hockey

GR Blades spring travel hockey programs will be 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.

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 3v3 small area games to promote fun, creativity, and competition
• Sunday skill clinics provide focused skill and skating development
• Sunday checking clinics for Bantams
• Sunday goalie clinics for goalies
• Full time goalies play free!

Program Details:

• 13 shared practice sessions
• 4 Sunday skating & skill clinics
• 3 Sunday goalie clinics
• 2 Sunday checking clinics (Bantam age)
• Team specific plans for gameplay and tournament participation

Season Schedule:

• Team tryouts week of 3/16 (contact coach if unable to attend)
• Season runs from 3/23 to 5/17

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. 

GR United JV is a high school prep team within the Grand Rapids Blades organization, competing in the ADRAY West Prep League. Our program serves high school-aged players who are developing their skills and preparing for varsity-level hockey.

Who We Are

The JV team is designed for high school-aged players who are not currently playing for their varsity high school team. We provide a competitive environment where players can continue to develop their skills, gain game experience, and prepare for the next level of hockey.

Fall Pre-Season (September - October)

• Practice twice per week
• 6-8 competitive games
• Focus on skill development and team preparation
• Runs through the last week of October (high school tryout period)

Regular Season (November - February)

• Team roster finalized after high school varsity selections are made
• League games as part of the ADRAY West Prep League
• Additional games scheduled against Michigan JV teams and U16 Midget A teams
• Tournament participation including:
• ADRAY League Tournament
• State Tournament
• One additional tournament

Spring Development Program (March - April)

• Low-key, skills-focused program
• Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM
• No tryouts required
• Sessions include:
• Skill development drills
• Small area games
• Scrimmaging
• Designed to keep players sharp in the off-season

Fall Team Tryouts

• Held the third week of May
• Conducted alongside other Grand Rapids Blades travel team tryouts
• Determines roster for the upcoming fall pre-season and regular season

Spring Program

• No tryouts required
• Open to players looking to stay active and improve during the spring months

Contact

For more information about the GR United JV Hockey program, please contact Coach Kevin VanSchepen - kevin.vanschepen@gmail.com.