Ice Hockey over 50 in Chicago

Yes. Ice hockey for players over the age of 50 in Chicagoland. You know, the home of the five-time Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Hockey Five-0 is a new league that will play at Rocket Ice Arena in Bolingbrook, Illinois starting Friday, October 4, 2013.

Why? Because we still have the desire to play the great game of hockey.

I'm Donnie B, and I will chronicle the league "Hockey Five-0" and the interests of ice hockey for players over 50 in Chicagoland.

The first news...TEAMS ARE FORMING - REGISTER NOW. If you're 50 or older and want to play ice hockey, with players your age, send an email to- hockeyfivezero@gmail.com or call Rocket Ice Arena at 630-679-1700. We're on Facebook at "Hockey Five-0 Chicago."

Teams and individuals (men and women) are welcome. 
The cost is $379 per player for two 12-game seasons- 10 regular season and two playoff games per team. The first season will wrap up in December. We'll crown a champ,  take a four-week break for the holidays, then start again in January.

There are payment options-
1. Pay in full - cash, check or credit/debit at Rocket Ice Arena.
2. Pay a $79 deposit and make 5 monthly payments of $60 to Rocket Ice Arena. Again, cash, check or credit/debit card.
3. Pay the $79 deposit and have $60 a month drawn directly from your credit or debit account for 5 months.

Here's how Hockey Five-0 works. For starters, we want to provide an atmosphere that is fun and competitive for everyone. So, a player rating system will be utilized. All players will be evaluated. Yes, player evaluations- keep reading.
1. Teams may enter the league with a "core roster" of ten skaters and a goalie.
2. All players are evaluated by a non-partisan panel (they're not involved in the league) and rated- "A", "B" or "C" at the FREE rate skate sessions on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 9:20 pm and Friday, September 20, 2013 at 9:30 pm. Yes, the player evaluation sessions are FREE.
3. A draft will be held prior to the start of the season to fill rosters to 15 skaters and one goalie. (Teams may have a "reserve" of players and and goalies (hey, we all have obligations outside hockey) but they are required to be rated.
4. Individual players not designated on a "core roster" will be drafted based on the team rating. This is so that no team will be heavily rated - high or low.
5. All players must provide proof of age. Yes, you will be carded. (When was the last time that happened?) If your 50th birthday is during a year in which a Hockey Five-0 season is played- you're eligible. For example- the first seasons will be played into the year 2014. If your 50th birthday is in 2014 (yes, December 31, 2014 counts) you're Hockey Five-0 legal.
6. Games will be played on Friday evenings at 9:30 and 10:40. There will be referees and a score keeper. Periods are 15-minute "stop-clock". 
7. We will play USA Hockey adult no-check rules. USA Hockey membership is required. Logon to www.usahockey.com, click the MEMBERSHIP link and follow the steps. USA Hockey registration expires on August 31st every year.

What do you think? There's more!
The new "Rat Hockey Five-0" is coming to Rocket Ice Arena on Tuesday and Friday nights, starting Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 9:20 pm and Friday, September 6, 2013 at 9:30 pm at Rocket Ice Arena, as well. This is "drop-in" hockey and the cost is $15 per player and goalies are free. The Friday night sessions will become the Hockey Five-0 league night in October. Rat Hockey Five-0 is open to players 45 and older. This way, you "younger" players will get an idea of what it's like to skate with players "our" age and be ready to join us in a few years.
There are a couple dates in September that Rat Hockey Five-0 will NOT be played. They are- Tuesday, September 10 and Friday, September 20. These are designated as "player evaluation" sessions for Hockey Five-0.

So, don't wait any longer! If you're 50 or older stop by  Rocket Ice Arena, 180 Canterbury Lane in Bolingbrook or call 630-679-1700. Send an email to: hockeyfivezero@gmail.com and find us on Facebook "Hockey Five-0 Chicago".

Hockey Five-0 would like to thank the staff of Rocket Ice Arena and especially Ed Schroeder, General Manager and Paul Gawecki, Assistant General Manager for their help in the start-up of Hockey Five-0 Chicago.