FAQ Page

How many teams does Lightning have?

Our goal is to have one JV and Varsity team each season, with hopes of adding more teams in the future.

What schools make up Lightning High School Hockey Club?

Bartlett, Dundee Crown, Lake Park & South Elgin

What division does Lightning play in?

North Central Hockey League

What ice rinks does Lighting play at?

West Meadows and Nelson Sports Complex in Rolling Meadows

When is a player able to join Lightning?

For the spring season, any incoming Freshman (those that just graduated 8th grade) are able to attend evaluations.

The fall season includes Freshman through Seniors in high school.

How are players evaluated for the team?

Our goal with each season is to avoid making any cuts to the team. We want everyone to be able to play!

During spring and fall seasons, evaluations on the skill level of the players are led by our coaches.

What makes high school hockey different then travel?

Our fees are lower than club teams by as much as 30%. Players can expect to practice up to two days a week. Typically, there are about 20 games a season. We also promote the flexibility to do other activities during your high school years including additional sports, clubs, jobs, etc.

Do you accept double rostered players?

Yes, we will allow players to be double rostered players.

What type of tournaments do you participate in?

Teams are registered in the JV and Varsity divisions at the appropriate level.

Our goal is to participate in up to two tournaments a season including one out of state and one local.

We prioritize keeping travel times under 5 hours driving distance for tournaments.

We carefully select tournaments that allow students to participate without missing school, understanding that the high school curriculum is demanding and requires consistent attendance.

How much travel can I expect?

Teams in the North Central Hockey League can be up to one hour away depending upon teams within our division.

In regard to tournaments, we prioritize keeping driving travel times under 5 hours for tournaments to ensure a cost-effective experience and minimize disruption to students' academic and personal lives. This approach helps maintain a healthy balance between athletics and education without sacrificing performance.

Is there fundraising to offset costs?

Each season we explore options to fundraise to apply money raised to apply to your players fees. If you have ideas, please present to the board president.

What happens if a player needs to miss a game or practice?

Players should mark their availability on the Crossbar app for games and practices in addition to contacting the head coach as soon as possible.

How does the program support academic success?

We believe education comes first. If a player needs to miss school for homework, they should contact the coaches and mark their availability on the Crossbar app.

Additionally, when planning tournaments, we look for opportunities where players won't miss school.

How can I get involved in the club?

We evaluate board positions every two years or when positions are vacated.

Other opportunities to help the organization include scoresheet, penalty door, game day security and team manager.