In Illinois, passion for hockey runs deep. The Chicago Blackhawks saw an opportunity to introduce that passion to a broader community and grow it into a lifelong love for the game by making hockey more accessible. Sticks In was created by the Blackhawks with the mission of increasing hockey participation in Illinois by providing a centralized resource to educate parents and simplify the process of getting youth started in hockey.

Get started—not just as a fan—but as a player. On the ice and in the game, we want to turn aspirations into realities and get more kids having fun on the ice, whether they're in rural Illinois or downtown Chicago.

So we started Sticks In to simplify the process of finding the information you need to get started, to get a better understanding of the clubs, teams and leagues that are out there to be joined. A place to get educated, excited and to get started.

From a team that's experienced the highs and lows of the sport, believe us when we say that we believe that hockey has the power to transform lives. It builds character, life skills, friendships and for some is the start of realizing their dreams. Whether you start with ambition, or start with nervousness. Whether you're looking to fulfill a dream or to just have the most fun you can have on frozen water, all it takes to start is getting your sticks in.