Chicago Hawks & Phantoms Weekly Updates October 21, 2026
Greetings Hawks & Phantoms Families!
There's so much to celebrate around the rink! From championship victories and incredible team spirit to supporting important causes in our community, our Hawks and Phantoms families continue to make us proud.
Here's what's happening around the club!
Congratulations to Our Goalie Director, Bob Zalabak!
A big congratulations to Chicago Hawks Goalie Director Bob Zalabak and his Goalie Academy team on their partnership with AHAI to establish the AHAI Goaltending Academy!
This exciting statewide initiative is designed to strengthen goaltender development, expand access to specialized instruction, and create a more connected development pathway for goalies throughout Illinois.
The academy will bring together experienced goaltending professionals to develop programs, establish instructional standards, support coaches and clubs, and provide opportunities for goalies at every level—from young players just discovering the position to those competing at advanced levels.
We are incredibly proud of Bob and his team for helping lead this important initiative and making a positive impact on the future of goaltending in Illinois!
PACK THE STANDS — Keep Those Submissions Coming!
The Pack the Stands submissions are rolling in, and we LOVE seeing the creativity and team spirit!
Get your teammates, friends, and families together, pick a fun theme, and cheer your hearts out! Remember, three teams will win a pizza party in December! 🍕
Check out these awesome submissions:
Mite 3 — Neon Night!
Mite 3 brought the energy with a neon-themed Pack the Stands celebration! Fans showed up with cowbells, glowing lights, and neon glasses, cheering on their players every skate of the way!
And apparently, one morning of hockey wasn't enough! The team kept the fun going with a team-bonding skate against the dads, complete with plenty of laughs and goals!
Mite 6 — "Don't Cluck with the Phantoms!"
Mite 6 took team spirit to another level with their hilarious "Don't Cluck with the Phantoms!" theme! We love the creativity and enthusiasm!
Who's next? Pick a home game, rally your fans, and show us your team spirit! Send your photos to marketing@chicagohawks.com.
Congratulations Girls 14U NBT — CCM Deep Dish Champions!
A huge congratulations to our Girls 14U NBT team on capturing the championship at the CCM Deep Dish Tournament this past weekend!
The girls battled through a tough semifinal against the Thunder Bay Queens from Canada to secure their spot in the championship game and bring home the title!
A special shoutout to Maddie Perry, who earned tournament MVP honors!
Way to go, girls! We're proud of you! 💙🏒
Hawks Hockey Supports Breast Cancer Awareness
Throughout October, our Hawks teams have been showing that hockey is about more than what happens on the ice. We're proud of the players and families who have come together to honor those affected by breast cancer.
Squirt 4 — Playing for Someone Special
Players taped their sticks pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Several also created "I PLAY FOR" signs and wrote the names of friends and family members impacted by breast cancer on their sticks.
Squirt 6 — Spreading Awareness
Squirt 6 handed out pink ribbons to fans in the stands and showed their support with pink stick tape. Some players also honored loved ones by writing their names directly on their sticks.
Pee Wee 3 — Hockey with Heart
Pee Wee 3 joined the effort during October while wrapping up their seeding round, showing tremendous team spirit and support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Thank you to all our teams for reminding us that we play for something bigger than hockey. Don’t forget this weekend you can pack the stands with pink and we have special “I Fight For” Signs for both Hawks and Phantoms. Download them here:
Picture Days Are Next Week!
Get those hockey smiles ready!
Our Chicago Hawks Picture Days are coming up next week!
Wear: Full uniform with your BLUE (Away) jersey
Bring: Hockey stick and gloves
Not needed: Helmet or ice skates
Schedule: Check with your team manager for your team's exact day and timeslot
If you haven't ordered your pictures or products yet, you can do so here:
📸 Order Your Chicago Hawks Pictures
Halloween Candy Drive — Treats for Troops!
Have leftover Halloween candy? Put it to great use!
The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is teaming up with Specialty Print Communications and our local hockey community to support Soldiers' Angels Treats for Troops.
Donated candy will be sent to deployed military service members and veterans in VA medical facilities.
Our community goal: Collect more than 100,000 pieces of candy!
Collection Details:
When: November 2–6
Where: Darien Sportsplex
Drop-off: Green collection bins in the lobby
What: Leftover or new Halloween candy
Let's show our appreciation for those who serve while spreading a little Halloween sweetness!
Project Blue Line — Free Parent Training Opportunity
Parents play an important role in creating positive experiences for young athletes, both on and off the ice.
Survivors for Change and Project Blue Line are inviting youth sports parents to participate in a FREE, two-session virtual training pilot designed to strengthen relationships, communication, and the overall youth sports environment.
Session 1: The Culture YOU Create
📅 Tuesday, November 17 | 6:00–7:30 PM CT
Explore your role as a sports parent, including communication, healthy athlete development, and creating positive experiences.
Session 2: Parent-Coach Dynamics
📅 Tuesday, December 1 | 6:00–7:30 PM CT
Learn about positive youth development, parent-coach communication, healthy relationships, navigating conflict, and athlete safety and well-being.
Both sessions will be held live via Zoom and include practical strategies parents can use throughout their child's sports experience.
Participants are asked to attend both sessions and provide feedback to help shape the future Project Blue Line Parent Curriculum.
Cost: FREE
Register for Project Blue Line Parent Training
We encourage our Hawks and Phantoms parents to take advantage of this opportunity!
Keep Improving at Home — Hockey Practice Videos!
Looking for ways to help your player continue developing skills away from the rink?
Check out these great videos featuring our coaches and hockey community!
Stickhandling with Coach Andrew
Practice puck control and stickhandling skills at home.
Watch the Stickhandling Video
Hand-Eye Coordination with Jennifer Mirzabegian
Improve coordination and reaction skills with these at-home exercises.
Watch the Hand-Eye Coordination Video
Pre-Game Warm-Ups with Manya Crippen and Coach Andrew
Get your body ready for the ice with a proper warm-up routine.
Watch the Pre-Game Warm-Up Video
A little extra practice can go a long way!
Thank You, Hawks & Phantoms Families!
Whether you're cheering in the stands, volunteering, supporting a cause, or celebrating your teammates, you're helping create the community that makes our club special.
Keep sending us your team highlights, tournament accomplishments, and photos. We love sharing all the great things happening throughout our organization!
Go Hawks! Go Phantoms! 🏒💙