Bloomington/Normal Ice Hockey
The hockey scene in Bloomington/Normal was not very prominent until the Pepsi Ice Center was built. Before there were minor leagues that were strictly inline hockey. With the Pepsi Ice Center here now everyone can enjoy the sport if they had no chance to before.
Leagues
The leagues in the Bloomington area for ice hockey are strictly from the youth levels to the mid-level professionals. With programs like the Bloomington Thunder Youth Hockey, along with the Pepsi Ice Center's programs, it's not hard to start up a career in hockey. The local Bloomington Blaze are at the mid-level professional league for the city of Bloomington, or in other terms they are the local CHL (Central Hockey League) team. Both of the leagues play in and out of state whether it is for tournaments or not. The CHL is a national league which is where all teams inside of the league compete annually for the Ray Miron President's Cup, which is rewarded to the victor of that season's championship. Although the Bloomington Blaze do not host lessons personally, with each league there comes lessons where you can learn extensive training at almost any age. Bloomington's Pepsi Ice Center being the center of Hockey in Bloomington is where you can find the training you need to play at the level which your age requires.
Contacting Local Area Teams
Most of the teams and management can be contacted via telephone or online through email, listed are ways you can get in contact with them.
Pepsi Ice Center Telephone: (309) 434-2737
Bloomington Youth Hockey Coaches:
Jason Kowalczyk (Email: [email protected]) Dave Dimitri (Email: [email protected]) Chad Wicklander (Email: [email protected]) Tom Arkell (Email: [email protected]) Russ Guest (Email: [email protected]) David Bailey (Email: [email protected]) Tim Clark (Email: [email protected]) Ryan O'Connell (Email: ryan.o'[email protected])
Bloomington Blaze (U.S. Cellular Coliseum):
Main Line: (309) 434-2980
Fax Number: (309) 434-2989
Local Teams
Bloomington Blaze
Bloomington not only is host to amateur teams, but it also host to the mid-level professional team the Bloomington Blaze. The Blaze are the only team operating out of the Bloomington, IL area that are a CHL level team. The team consists of many new players new to the Bloomington Blaze and CHL scene, but it also contains many players of the former CHL team Prairie Thunder. The Bloomington Blaze took over the CHL hockey scene in Bloomington, IL after the Prairie Thunder failed to renew a management contract. The Bloomington Blaze currently resides within the U.S. Cellular's Pepsi Ice Center for all home games. The Bloomington Blaze was fully signed and created in 2011. Jason Christie was announced to coach the Bloomington Blaze for the first year of the Blaze's career.
Prairie Thunder
The Bloomington Prairie Thunder was the city of Bloomington's first CHL level hockey team. Although the team's contract was never renewed to keep the former management and team members in line, old players from the Prairie Thunder team found a new home within the cities new CHL level hockey team the Bloomington Blaze.
Bloomington Thunder Youth Hockey
The Bloomington Thunder Youth Hockey program is one that gives youth in Bloomington/Normal and surrounding cities an opportunity to play in youth teams based on the child's age. The teams are for children who are from years 13 or younger. Registration for the teams begin in fall/winter when the season takes place. Not only do the youth teams play at the Pepsi Ice Center located in Bloomington but the junior teams also travel to different states for tournaments and games. The teams generally participate in the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL) with teams in the Chicago suburban area. This fall 2014 there is a fundraiser scheduled titled The Thunder Funder. This year's event includes an 80's Rock cover band, raffles, and silent auctions. It will be held November 1st 2014 at the Castle Theater. Tickets for this event will be twenty five dollars. For more information about this event visit the Castle Theater website: http://www.thecastlethatre.com/event/680957-thunder-funder-bloomington/
The Bloomington Thunder Youth Hockey teams consist of the following (Listed by teams and coaches):
Mite A: Coach: Jason Kowalczyk Mite AA: Coach: Dave Dimitri Squirt A: Coach: Chad Wicklander Squirt AA: Coach: Tom Arkell Peewee A: Coach: Russ Guest Peewee AA: Coach: David Bailey Bantam AA: Coach: Tim Clark Midget Major: Coach: Ryan O'Connell
Although The Bloomington Prairie Youth Hockey program is based locally in the Bloomington area, it works in conjunction with with the American Development Model (ADM for short).The American Development Model is a nationwide model for successfully developing American hockey players. It is a tool that will ensure every kid will have the same chance to succeed. The ADM's philosophy behind implementing the program into youth sports is to give children an early learning experience into what it is like to be dedicated to a organized team. They also press the importance of fun for the youth when they go to the rink, and love doing so. Inside of the ADM for the state of Illinois is the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois (AHAI), which handles the ADM business within the state of Illinois. All of the AHAI's affiliation with its players is strictly amateur.
You can learn more about the Bloomington Thunder Youth Hockey program at their website: http://www.bloomingtonyouthhockey.com/Default.asp?snid=jIOJS6O4Z&org=bloomingtonyouthhockey.com
More information about the ADM and AHAI can be obtained at the AHAI website: http://www.ahai.org/
Pepsi Ice Center
The Pepsi Ice Center at the U.S. Cellular coliseum in Bloomington is the center of all Ice Hockey activity in the city. Not only does the Ice Center give host to the Prairie Thunder Youth Hockey and CHL team Bloomington Blaze, it also is host to many adult and high-school leagues. The Pepsi Ice Center's Hockey program allows children from grades 9-12 to participate in a competitive junior varsity and varsity league hosted by the McLean County Youth Hockey Association (MCYHA). A perk of signing up for the leagues that take place at the Pepsi Ice Center is that you require no experience to sign up. Also, there is in rink skate rental which makes accessibility to playing even easier. Registration for youth hockey ranges from $150-$400 depending on the child's age. The Ice Center also holds pick-up games for adults; so if you are interested in playing hockey quickly in a pick-up games you can participate in that as well. All you have to do is go to the Pepsi Ice Center and sign up, you will be required to bring your own equipment, although hockey skates are for rent in the lobby area.
The Pepsi Ice Center also offers a series of classes for those of the age 3+, youth and adult. All classes require pay and registration pre-season to be able to participate in. Each class costs a different amount, depending on the age. The classes for hockey are as follows:
Hockey Tots 1 - Ages 3-6: This class teaches children the basics on ice skating. No experience or gear is required. Hockey Tots 2 – Ages 3-6: Children will be taught basic hockey skills and ice skating continued. Pre-requisite: Hockey Tots 1. Hockey Tots 3 – Ages 3–6: Advanced hockey and skating skills are taught. Pre-requisite: Hockey Tots 1 & 2. Hockey 1 – Ages 7-14: This class teaches basics of skating; balance, stopping and basic forward skills. No experience or gear is required. Hockey 2 - Ages 7-14: Students will be taught more skating skills such as swizzles, backwards movements, one-footed glides, and more hockey skills. Pre-requisite: Hockey 1. Hockey 3 – Ages 7–14: Hockey stops and more advanced hockey will be taught. Pre-requsite: Hockey 2. Teen/Adult Classes: There is also a class offered to those of ages 15+, this class focuses on skills needed for hockey such as shooting, skating, positioning, stick handling, and passing. Full gear is required.
The Pepsi Ice Center is currently located in downtown Bloomington, the address is as follows:
Address: 201 South Roosevelt Avenue Bloomington, IL 61761 Telephone: (309) 434-2737 
