BlueLine Banter

In this episode of BlueLine Banter, host Nick Skweres sits down with the Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms player development team – Steve Poapst, Steve Climo, Brian Lite and Ricky Gomez – to answer one of the most common questions in youth hockey: "Is my kid where they're supposed to be?"

Together, they break down the player placement and development process from Mite to Midget, explaining how skills, effort, and more impact each player's path. The coaches discuss benchmarks at every level, from skating and puck control to hockey IQ and compete level, and emphasize how patience and perspective are key for parents and players alike.

Listeners will gain insight into how tryouts are evaluated, why skill development outweighs early wins, and how lessons learned on the ice translate to life skills like accountability, teamwork, and resilience. 

Whether your player is chasing butterflies at Mites or preparing for junior hockey, this conversation highlights the importance of trusting the process, supporting your child's love of the game, and remembering that every hockey journey looks a little different – but all are worth the ride!

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Hockey Director Steve Poapst, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development Steve Climo, Club President Amanda Hanlon, and PeeWee Director Brian Lite join host Nick Skweres to break down everything you’d learn at the Chicago Hawks Hockey Parent Meeting – without the PowerPoint slides. 🏒

Join us as we cover key updates for the season, including:

• 📅 How to stay informed and on top of everything going on
• 🧊 Team expectations, communication tips, and volunteer opportunities
• 🥅 Player development at each level
• 💬 How families can help create a positive, supportive hockey culture
• 🎉 Upcoming events, tournaments, gear and more

Whether you’re a returning family or new to the Hawks & Phantoms community, this episode gives you the full rundown – so you’re ready to hit the ice and enjoy another great season of Hawks & Phantoms hockey!

👉 Tune in, take notes, and get ready for a season full of teamwork, growth, and fun.

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

Grab your clubs and your Hawks pride – we’re swinging into the first Chicago Hawks fundraiser of the season! In this episode, we tee up all the details for the 2025 Chicago Hawks Golf Outing, happening Saturday, August 30 at Village Greens in Woodridge.

Join host Nick Skweres, Hockey Director Steve Poapst and board member Pete Bilecki as they break down the day’s schedule of events and how this event will help raise critical funds to offset rising ice costs and keep hockey more affordable for young players. From hockey-glove long drives to a Happy Gilmore 2 Putter raffle, this is one outing you won’t want to miss.

We also highlight:

• New this year: youth participation opportunities
• Creative sponsorship perks (including how families can earn dues credits)
• The can’t-miss raffle for an Odyssey Golf Happy Gilmore 2 commemorative putter
• On-course challenges – from long drives in hockey gloves to putting with a goalie stick

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer, a hockey parent, or just here for the Hawks camaraderie, this episode gives you every reason to join the fun, support the club, and help keep hockey affordable for over 700 players in our community.

📅 Mark your calendar: August 30, 2025 — Let’s make this our biggest golf outing yet! 

Learn more and register at chicagohawkshockey.com/about/chhc-golf-outing/29467 

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

In this special alumni episode of BlueLine Banter, we sit down with former Chicago Hawks players who’ve traded their youth hockey jerseys for new chapters – but have never left the game behind. From unforgettable goals to life lessons learned in the locker room, these Hawks alums reflect on their time with the club, how it shaped their journey, and what they’re up to today on and off the ice.

Whether they’re playing college puck, coaching the next generation, or preparing to crush it in the real world, one thing’s clear: Once a Hawk, Always a Hawk!

Host Nick Skweres and Hockey Director Steve Poapst catch up with Chicago Hawks alumni Ben Lechner, Brian Manns, Andrew Hanlon, Bobby Barrett, Grace Deacetis, Kieran Sullivan and Amelia Sowers.

🧊 Tune in for a mix of stories, shoutouts, and a few well-earned chirps – because the bonds built in youth hockey don’t end at the final buzzer. 

💻 Listen now at ChicagoHawksHockey.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

🎙️ In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Hockey Director Steve Poapst, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development Steve Climo, Goaltending Director Bob Zalabak and Coach Ryan Sullivan join host Nick Skweres to break down the highlights from the new and improved spring hockey program – the big wins, lessons learned, and a few unforgettable moments. 

We also look at what's ahead this summer, including camps, conditioning, and the 3v3 summer ice cream league you won't want to miss. Then it's on to the big one: fall tryouts. 🏒 🥅

Oh – and in this special episode we've upped the banter, chirps, and friendly stories from behind the bench. 

🧊 Stay cool, stay sharp, and we'll see you at the rink.

#BeAHawk #BeAPhantom #ChicagoHawksHockeyClub

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

The Chicago Hawks recording studio was full for this latest episode of BlueLine Banter. 

Tune in as our new PeeWee Director Brian Lite, Squirt Director Ricky Gomez and Goalie Liaison Bob Zalabak join Hawks Hockey Director Steve Poapst, Mite Director & Director of Early Player Development Steve Climo and our favorite host Nick Skewers to discuss their new leadership roles and goals as we head into a revamped Spring Hockey Program and prepare for the 2025-2026 travel hockey season.

These guys talk everything from spring hockey to what lies ahead for the Hawks and Phantoms as well as their favorite pump up songs, hockey movies and more!

It's a packed episode but you won't want to miss any of it!

Learn more about the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club at chicagohawkshockey.com.

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

In this episode of BlueLine Banter the Goalie's take over for a "Conversation from the Crease" to help our Hawks and Phantoms goalies mentally prepare for the playoffs! 

Two-time Stanley Cup Winner and Chicago Blackhawks Legend Corey Crawford, former Blackhawk and current San Diego Gulls Goalie Coach Jeff Glass, join our Chicago Hawks Goalie Liaison Bob Zalabak, Chicago Hawks Hockey Director Steve Poapst and Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development to discuss the upcoming post-season and how to be on the top of your mental game as a goalie. 

Hear stories straight from NHL locker rooms on how champion players get their minds focused to play on the biggest stages. Also, find out who tapes Crow's sticks before a game and how Jeff Glass navigated through exploding fireworks in Russia to win a game! When the goalies are in the studio no story is off limits!

Learn more about the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club at chicagohawkshockey.com.

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club believes in the long-term athletic development and growth for players on and off the ice. The Chicago Hawks Girls Program has gained momentum and success in recent years. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms take great pride in providing young ladies with the environment, confidence and passion to grow, not only as hockey players, but as human beings too! 

In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Girls Hockey Director Ryan Sullivan and Girls Hockey Liaison and Head Coach Erika Truschke join Chicago Hawks Hockey Director Steve Poapst and host Nick Skweres to discuss how the Chicago Hawks Girls Hockey Program started, its growth over the years and their goals for the future of girls youth hockey. They also discuss upcoming events such as Empowering Girls in Hockey Day, the Girls with Goals Mentoring program, which aims to help develop and grow girls hockey through friendship, fun, and empowerment for the next generation of female hockey players.

Learn more about the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club at chicagohawkshockey.com.

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

Many of our Mite players and families will be heading off to their first travel hockey tournament in the coming weeks. Unlike any other age level, all six of our Phantoms teams travel to the same two tournaments together. It's a Phantastic opportunity for these players and families to get to know each other, play some hockey, stay in a hotel and have some awesome Phantoms fun!

Tune in as Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development talks with Hockey Director Steve Poapst and Nick Skewers about ALL the things that go on in a weekend hockey tournament! Phantoms Phamilies - you do not want to miss this episode of BlueLine Banter.  #BeAPhantom #BeAHawk

Learn more about the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club at chicagohawkshockey.com.

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub

Tryouts are well behind us. You've made a team. You're a Chicago Hawk! You're a Phantom! Now what? In this episode of BlueLine Banter, Nick Skweres is joined by Hockey Director Steve Poapst and Steve Climo, Mite Director and Director of Early Player Development to talk about what lies ahead for the 2024-2025 season. From the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club core values to practice, the locker room, development and more - tune in as they banter about the Club's expectations for our players, parents and coaches. #BeAHawk #BeAPhantom

Learn more about the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club at chicagohawkshockey.com.

The Chicago Hawks Hockey Club is the largest youth hockey club in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Hawks and Darien Phantoms are committed to the ongoing development and promotion of competitive youth amateur hockey. We are Everything Youth Hockey Should Be.

Facebook: @chicagohawkshockey
Instagram: @chicagohawkshockeyclub
Twitter: @hawkshockeyclub