Travel Hockey

2024/2025 Fall Travel Tryouts

Tryout Schedule

$30 for all scheduled tryouts. Payment will be collected during the registration process.

Tryouts are free for goalies!

Registration Link: Fall Travel Tryouts

coach and team information

squirt a

Coach: Blake Fetzer

Email: bfetzer1@hotmail.com

Squirt aa

Coach: Andy Hooper

Email: hooperac@gmail.com

PeeWee A

Coach: Rod Grandfield

Email: rodgrandfield@gmail.com

PeeWee AA

Coach: Jason Koole

Email: jason@howieshockeytape.com

Bantam A

Coach selection in process...

Please submit interest and referrals to president@grblades.org

Bantam Aa

Coach: Shawn Zimmerman

Email: szimmy8@gmail.com

jv / prep

Coach: Kevin VanSchepen

Email: kevin.vanschepen@gmail.com

2024 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 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. 

2024-2025 FALL/WINTER SEASON

2024-2025 GR Blades Fall Season Travel Tryouts

Info

Registration is open for 2024/25 Fall Season Travel Tryouts! Click the link below and follow the steps to register your player.

Refer to the "Travel Hockey" page on the website for coach information and tryout schedule.

Team tryouts are open to all interested players within their appropriate age group and JV is for players in high school. 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 May 10th.

Status of tryouts listed as "TBD" will be posted to website and communicated by coaches during tryout week. Contact coaches directly for interest or questions.

cost

$30 for all scheduled tryouts. Payment will be collected during the registration process.

Tryouts are free for goalies!

Register
Confirm Delete
Click the delete icon again to confirm. Click escape to cancel.