2021-22 Elite Program Info

Details of the 2021-22 Elite Program 

Despite the many challenges brought on by COVID-19, the inaugural season of our Elite Program was a resounding success, with teams at 12U, 14U, 16U and 19U. We had teams participate in all-girls AA tournaments in Nashville, Denver, Austin, Chicago and South Bend. Our 16U and 19U teams each advanced to the USA Hockey Tier II All Girls Regional tournament in Omaha, NE and our 14U team advanced to the USA Hockey Tier II All Girls National tournament in Denver, CO, the only Tier II all girls teams from the area that hold such high distinction.

Prospect Skates

There will be several prospect skates leading up to the tryouts in Mid June. If you are interested in participating in one of the prospect skates or know of someone who is please fill out the Prospect Questionnaire that can be found here:    https://forms.gle/3KZ2RYmWbZCBuHdf7

We are excited to announce the following members of our coaching staff for the Elite Program for the 2021-22 Season:

19U – Head Coach Joe Bova Conti and Associate Head Coach Dave Hoke

Coach Joe has been coaching hockey for the last 36 years. He is a USA Hockey Level 5 Coach. Coach Joe has head coached at several local youth organizations including Kirkwood Stars, Webster Rockets and was Founding Member of the St. Louis Lady Cyclones. He has coached all age groups of the AAA Lady Blues and ultimately served as their Director of Coaching and Hockey Operations. Coach Joe served as Head Coach for Parkway South at the JV and Varsity Levels. He acted as the Goalie Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Lindenwood University Belleville Women’s Hockey. Last season Coach Joe was the head coach for the 16U Lady Cyclones and assistant coach for the 19U Lady Cyclones. Most recently coach Joe was the head coach of the 2020-21 inaugural Lady Cyclones 16U Elite team.

Coach Hoke began his coaching career in 1997 with the Meramec Sharks youth hockey club. He then coached at several other organizations including St. Louis Lady Cyclones, Lady Blues AAA, Northwest High School JV & C teams, Affton High School Varsity and Parkway South High School Varsity. Coach Hoke completed his Level 4 USA Hockey coaching certification in 2002. In 2014, Coach Hoke returned to coaching the St. Louis Lady Cyclones. For the last three years Coach Hoke has been the Head coach of the Missouri State Champion 19U Lady Cyclones team. Most recently coach Hoke was the head coach of the 2020-21 inaugural Lady Cyclones 19U Elite team.

16U – Head Coach Rob Bell

Coach Bell joined the Lady Cyclones coaching staff for the 2019-20 season as the head coach of our top 14U team. Last season coach Bell was the head coach of the inaugural season of the 14U Elite team that competed at the 14U Tier 2 nationals. Coach Bell has a wealth experience, both as a player and as a coach. Coach Bell held several head coaching positions with the St. Peters Hockey Club over a span of eight years, coaching B1 - A1 levels from 10U through 16U age groups. His last head coaching assignment prior to joining our staff was as the varsity head coach of Timberland High School. Coach Bell also served as the head coach of the Senior High School All Star Game

14U – Head Coach Terry Champaign

Coach Terry Champaign has been coaching youth hockey for over 22 years. The most recent coaching position was the head coach of the 2019-20 12U Black Lady Cyclones. Terry is a USA Hockey Level 4 coach. He has coached all levels from learn to play up to AAA. Coach Champaign coached the 2012 Midget Minor National Champions

12U – Associate Coaches Terry Champaign and Andrew Miller

Coach Terry Champaign has been coaching youth hockey for over 22 years. The most recent coaching position was the head coach of the 2019-20 12U Black Lady Cyclones. Terry is a USA Hockey Level 4 coach. He has coached all levels from learn to play up to AAA. Coach Champaign coached the 2012 Midget Minor National Champions

Coach Miller has a wealth of hockey experience as both a player and a coach. Coach Miller played his youth and junior hockey with the Toronto Marlies and Wexford Raiders. He played collegiate hockey at Miami University of Ohio and was drafted by the Detroit Redwings in 1991. Coach Miller played for four years in the Redwings Minor League system. Coach Miller held many different coaching positions with the Naperville Sabres hockey club including Skills Development Program Director, Central States Coach and Hitting and Contact Instructor. Coach Miller was a head stickhandling instructor for Turcotte Stickhandling School. He was the Affton High School Head Coach for 2 years. Coach Miller is the current head coach of the ACHA Division 1 Lindenwood Women's Hockey Program for the last two years. He took his Lindenwood Women's team all the way to the ACHA National Championship Final Game.

In addition, we are excited to announce our Elite program tryout schedule is as follows:

12U Elite

6/21 - 6:30pm - NHL Rink

6/24 - 6:30pm - Plager Rink

6/26 - 1:50pm - NHL Rink

14U Elite

6/21 - 7:40pm - NHL Rink

6/24 - 7:40pm - Plager Rink

6/26 - 3:00pm - NHL Rink

16U Elite

6/22 - 6:30pm - Plager Rink

6/25 - 6:30pm - NHL Rink

6/27 - 11:40am - Plager Rink

19U Elite

6/22 - 7:40pm - Plager Rink

6/25 - 7:40pm - NHL Rink

6/27 - 12:50pm - Plager Rink

All of our Elite teams have been granted playing privileges in the Northern Illinois Hockey League, where they will compete against other AA all girls teams in an all girls division, and they will participate in several AA all girls tournaments, including in the National Girls Hockey League. If you or someone you know is interested in joining with other similarly skilled and like-minded players that have a drive to succeed on and off the ice and to play competitive hockey against other all-girls teams, please see our website for more information and to register for try-outs.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Dale Greenbury via e-mail at daleg@stlladycyclones.com or 314-328-4144